Introducing the South Midlands Growth Grants
If you’d like to be the first to hear about future funding opportunities, support programmes and events, we encourage you to join our free Growth Hub community. Members receive regular updates and notifications when new opportunities become available.
Is your business ready to grow, innovate and lead in a competitive market? The South Midlands Growth Grants can support your journey – helping you to invest in innovation, adopt new technologies and unlock new opportunities.
These two grant programmes offer match funding to businesses in the South Midlands to increase innovation levels and improve their green credentials. The grants are designed to support innovation and decarbonisation initiatives, particularly those focused on projects that will create a significant, positive impact on your business’ future.
The grants cover a maximum of 50% of the total price of a project and are designed to create new products and/or services, reduce carbon emissions and help companies safeguard and create jobs.
Businesses can only apply for one grant.
Supports SMEs in the South Midlands to:
– Accelerate business growth
– Foster innovation
– Support decarbonisation efforts
Funding available for Capital Projects – £5,000 – £50,000
Matched funding of at least 50% will be needed
Supports sole traders, micro and early stage businesses in the South Midlands to:
– Drive growth
– Enhance innovation
Funding available for Capital Projects – £300 – £3,000
Matched funding of at least 50% will be needed
To find out if your business is eligible for a grant, please complete an Expression of Interest.
If your Expression of Interest is successful, you’ll be invited to submit a full application.
We strongly recommend that you read through the guidance notes, read the FAQs and listen to our dedicated Growth Grants podcast episode before proceeding with your Expression of Interest.
If you have any immediate questions, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.
Hear from our grants team before you apply!
Kelly Griffiths, Business Adviser Manager & Allison Colman, Senior Grants Executive, sit down with Sam Hunter to run through the new Grants programme. They explain what grants are available, what can and can’t be funded, and provide their top-tips to help your grant application.
Take a listen for free on Spotify.
– Grant overview
– Eligibility criteria
– Grant application process
– Application form
– Grant overview
– Eligibility criteria
– Grant application process
– Application form
Submit an Expression of Interest
To submit an Expression of Interest for either the the South Midlands Capital Growth Grant or the Micro Captial Grant, click the corresponding button below.
The Expression of Interest deadline is 17:00 on Wednesday 17th December 2025. Any Expressions of Interest submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Can I submit an EOI to both grant schemes?
No. You can only apply for one grant scheme.
What is the application process?
There is a two-stage process:
1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
– An EOI assesses project eligibility
– The grants team will respond within five working days
– The deadline for receipt of EOI is 17:00 on Wednesday 17th December 2025.
2. Full Application
– If your EOI is approved you will be invited to submit a full application and supporting documentation.
– Successful projects must not start until written approval has been issued (expected from week commencing 23rd February 2026).
– The deadline for receipt of applications: 17:00pm on Tuesday 20th January 2026. Capital Growth
– Incomplete applications or missing documentation will be rejected and you may not get another chance to reapply. If you need help, contact cgg@southmidlands.org.uk.
Is the maximum grant £50,000 or is the total project value £50,000?
The maximum grant amount is £50,000. Therefore, at an expectation of at least 50%
match funding from the businesses, it would be anticipated that to apply for a £50,000
grant, the project value would be at least £100,000.
Can I submit my EOI by email?
No all EOIs must be submitted via the portal. We would strongly suggest that you do not
leave it until the last minute to submit as the portal will cut off at 5.00 pm on 17th
December 2025 and no EOIs will be accepted after this time.
Is software classed as capital expenditure?
Software development is treated as capital expenditure for costs associated with
creating a new asset or a major enhancement that provides future economic benefits.
Capitalising software costs involves treating the expenditure as an asset on the capital
register. Minor improvements and maintenance will not be eligible for a grant.
Can the grant be used for website development?
Yes, website development can be capitalised expenditure as it is an intangible asset.
In general, website development costs can be capitalised if the following conditions are
met:
1. The costs are directly related to the creation or acquisition of a website or web
application that will be used in the business’s operations.
2. The website or web application is expected to provide economic benefits to the
business over a period of time and not simply for promotion and advertising
purposes.
3. The costs can be reliably measured.
If these conditions are met, the cost of developing the website can be recorded as an
asset and written off gradually over its useful life.
Advertising, promotion, maintenance and minor updates would not be eligible.
How can I find which Local Authority area my business is in?
To check if your company is located within the South Midlands Growth Hub area, please use the following link to confirm whether your postcode falls within one of our six local authorities: Find your local council – GOV.UK
Our local authorities include:
– Bedford Borough Council
– Central Bedfordshire Council
– Luton Borough Council
– Milton Keynes City Council
– West Northamptonshire Council
– North Northamptonshire Council
You can read the full list of Frequently Asked Questions here.
Never miss an opportunity to apply for funding, or attend an event by receiving the latest news and updates straight to your inbox.
Our newsletter drops monthly; to be included, simply add your email address.