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Free UK Grants & Business Funding Calculators 2026

Innovate UK eligibility, SEIS/EIS tax relief, Start Up Loans, invoice factoring, asset finance and more — updated for 2025/26. Free to use, no account needed.

UK Business Grants & Funding 2025/26

The UK grants landscape in 2025/26 includes Innovate UK Smart Grants (up to £500,000 for transformative R&D), British Business Bank Start Up Loans (up to £25,000 per director at 6% fixed), Enterprise Finance Guarantee, UKRI funds and a range of LEP and devolved-government programmes. SEIS and EIS continue to make UK startups attractive to angel and early-stage investors, offering 50% and 30% income tax relief respectively. These calculators help founders, finance teams and investors quickly model their entitlements and financing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most accessible business grant for UK startups?
The British Business Bank Start Up Loan is the most widely accessible scheme — up to £25,000 per director at a fixed 6% interest rate, available to businesses under 36 months old. Unlike grants, it must be repaid, but free mentoring support is included and eligibility criteria are broader than most grant programmes.
What are the current Innovate UK funding rates for SMEs?
For 2025/26, Innovate UK intervention rates for SMEs are: 70% for feasibility studies; 70% for industrial research; and 45% for experimental development. These rates represent the maximum proportion of project costs that the grant will cover — businesses must fund the remainder from their own resources or other sources.
What is the difference between SEIS and EIS?
SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) targets very early-stage companies and offers 50% income tax relief on investments up to £200,000/year. EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) targets growth-stage companies and offers 30% income tax relief on investments up to £1 million/year (£2 million for knowledge-intensive companies). Both offer CGT benefits, but SEIS has more generous terms reflecting the higher risk of seed-stage investment.
Where can I find all available UK business grants?
The gov.uk Business Finance and Support Finder (find-business-finance.service.gov.uk) is the authoritative source, updated regularly with national and regional grant programmes. Additionally, the British Business Bank website lists approved lenders and equity schemes. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and Mayoral Combined Authorities publish region-specific grant opportunities.