[Updated 27th August 2026]
Access to the right funding at the right time can help businesses unlock new opportunities, accelerate growth and strengthen long-term resilience.
From start-up finance to government funded loans, here is a selection of upcoming funding opportunities that Greater Manchester businesses may wish to explore.
And don’t forget that if you’re unsure which route is right for you, our team is on hand to help you navigate your options with confidence!
Government-Backed Loans
Start Up Loans
For aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, Start Up Loans provide access to government-backed finance of between £500 and £25,000, helping founders turn ideas into viable businesses.
In addition to funding, successful applicants receive 12 months of free mentoring and ongoing business support, making it a valuable option for those looking to build a strong foundation for future growth.
Who should apply: Businesses trading for up to five years that are seeking start-up or early-stage funding, alongside practical support and mentoring.
NPIF II Smaller Loans
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) Smaller Loans programme offers funding from £25,000 to £100,000 to support businesses across the North of England.
Whether investing in new equipment, expanding operations, recruiting staff or improving cash flow, the fund is designed to help businesses move forward with confidence. Delivered locally by GC Business Finance, the programme provides a tailored approach to supporting business growth.
Who should apply: SMEs with clear growth ambitions that require finance to invest in development, expansion or operational improvements.
Equity Investment
Early Stage Equity
Early Stage Equity provides investment for ambitious businesses with the potential to scale rapidly and attract future investment.
Typically investing between £25,000 and £2 million, the fund supports businesses that are developing innovative products, services, or technologies and seeking capital to accelerate growth, enter new markets, or strengthen their commercial position.
Who should apply: Innovative, high-growth businesses with scalable business models and plans for significant future expansion.
Open Fund For Music Creators
Applications are now open for the Open Fund for Music Creators, offering grants of up to £5,000 to UK-based music creators at different career stages.
The fund, managed by PRS Foundation, supports the creation, performance, and promotion of outstanding new music across all genres. It helps songwriters, composers, artists, bands, producers, and performers involved in writing or composing to develop their skills and reach wider audiences.
Deadline: Monday 7 September 2026
Who should apply: UK-based, aged 18 or over with at least 18 months’ experience, not signed to a major label, not in full-time education (unless exceptions apply). You must also either be a member of PRS (Performing Right Society) or in a position to join.
Looking for the right funding option?
With a wide range of finance options available, identifying the most suitable route can often be the biggest challenge. If you're interested in any of the funding opportunities above, we can help you on your journey.
The Access to Finance team works with businesses across Greater Manchester to explore funding opportunities, improve investment readiness and connect with relevant finance providers. Whether you're seeking start-up funding, growth finance or investment, tailored support is available to help you take the next step.
Innovation funding opportunities
If you’re looking to take an innovative idea to the next stage, this round-up brings together a range of funding opportunities designed to help ambitious businesses, consortia and organisations scale new technologies, strengthen creative ventures, develop future leaders, improve transport safety and explore space-enabled solutions. With deadlines across October and November, these calls offer support for projects at different stages of development, from proof of concept and pilot studies through to manufacturing scale-up and international growth.
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing October)
KAVA Call 14 – Upscaling: Raw Materials & Advanced Materials Competition
KAVA Call 14 – Upscaling aims to accelerate the launch of promising new technologies, products, and services in the raw materials industry. It targets projects with validated technologies that require additional steps - such as testing, demonstration, proof of concept, and scaling - before being market-ready.
Deadline: Friday 16 October 2026
Who should apply: Consortia with projects at TRL 5+, with at least two partners from different Horizon Europe-eligible countries and representing at least two sides of the knowledge triangle: education, research, and industry/business.
EIT Culture & Creativity
The call aims to accelerate the growth, scaling, and investment readiness of high-potential ventures in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). This call provides fixed-amount financial support under the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism to enable companies to grow their operations, expand internationally, and advance fundraising activities.
Topics to be addressed: Fashion, Architecture, Audio Visual Media.
Deadline: Friday 16 October 2026
Who should apply: The call supports tech-enabled, market-driven, and IP-leveraged solutions capable of scaling commercially, generating economic/societal value, and strengthening Europe’s creative economy.
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing November)
DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund Drawdown 5
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million to create scale up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies.
Deadline: Wednesday 4 November 2026, 11:00am
Who should apply: Innovators or businesses with manufacturing facility and process development at pilot scale or demonstration scale.
Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million to deliver ambitious research and innovation and develop future leaders. This funding is from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Deadline: Wednesday 4 November 2026, 11:00am
Who should apply: Businesses looking to develop talented individuals through an ambitious programme of work that will deliver meaningful benefits for the UK, going beyond business as usual and showing clear novelty.
European Space Agency: The Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations
Applications are invited on space-enabled solutions targeting safe maritime navigation and operations in the Arctic where the melting ice is not only resulting in increased traffic but also posing significant hazards to vessels. Projects may include solutions for ice monitoring, route optimisation, search and rescue, situational awareness and overall operational safety in the Arctic region.
Deadline: Thursday 5 November 2026
Who should apply: Companies or consortia demonstrating a clear user need, with users such as public authorities, environmental agencies, fisheries and aquaculture operators, port and coastal authorities, or environmental service providers.
European Space Agency: Road and Traffic Safety
This opportunity offers funding for teams who would like to develop sustainable space-based services and applications that address challenges related to the Road and Traffic Safety sector. For example, Enhancing information exchange, Improving Road design, signage and maintenance to reduce accidents, Improving road safety by optimising traffic flow, Implementing measures to protect non-motorised road users and Improving International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) survey completion.
Deadline: Friday 27 November 2026
Who should apply: Innovators looking to run pilot studies or develop proof of concept studies.
Applying for grant funding can be daunting; from finding the right fund to preparing an application, support is available to you.
If you’re an Innovation business, reach out to your Specialist today, to find out more about how we can help you reach your innovation and business goals in 2026.
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
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