Find local and national organisations and schemes that can help fund your business.
Apprenticeship funding for SMEs
Portsmouth City Council offers funding for new employees and existing staff looking to boost their skills. You can get funding for one or more apprenticeships.
It’s available to companies in Portsmouth, with an annual payroll under £3 million. For more information, contact us at apprenticeships@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Find out more at Solent Business & Skills Solutions.
Innovation funding
Innovate UK – a national innovation agency supports businesses with new, disruptive ideas that have the potential to boost UK economy. Funding is available for SMEs developing game changing and innovative products or services.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships – this scheme connects your businesses with a university and a graduate to help deliver an innovation project.
Start-up funding
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs – provides grants for new entrepreneurs to travel to other EU countries on an exchange basis. There’s no age limit, but you must either be planning a business or have started one within the last 3 years.
More information
More funding help is available:
- find out more about paying non-domestic rates and the business rates discount scheme
- Portsmouth Partnership Foundation provides grants for social enterprises that want to grow and develop
- Better Business Finance – support for businesses looking to secure funding
- Finance and support for your business – GOV.UK – in-depth database of information about grants, loans and other financial assistance
- The Business Finance Guide – finance options for all businesses, from start-ups to SMEs and growing mid-sized companies
- Crowd Cube – exposure to thousands of potential investors
- Employment Allowance – GOV.UK – small business employers can get £2,000 by claiming this relief on National Insurance bills
- Enterprise First offers ways of obtaining finance – email info@enterprisefirst.co.uk
Contact us
For more information, contact our business support team by using the online form, calling 023 9284 1641, or emailing business@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
For up-to-date information on funding schemes and more, sign up for our e-business bulletin or follow @PortsmouthBiz on X.
LinkedIn Portsmouth Economic Development & Skills.