[Updated 18th June 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.
Funding Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses
TiE Women Program 2026
Applications close on 25 June 2026 for the TiE Women Program, a global initiative designed to support women-led startups through mentoring, education, networking and investor connections.
Participants gain access to experienced entrepreneurs and investors, while finalists have the opportunity to compete for equity-free cash prizes, including a US$50,000 award through the TiE Global Startup Challenge.
Who should apply: Women-led startups seeking investment readiness support, mentoring and opportunities to raise their profile internationally.
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.
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.
Get in touch with the Access to Finance team to discuss your options.
Innovation funding opportunities (Opening July)
This month for Innovation businesses, there are a range of new and upcoming calls across sectors including AI, clean energy, maritime, space-enabled services and bio-based innovation.
From grants supporting cutting-edge technologies to rolling loan opportunities for ambitious SMEs, there are funding routes available for businesses, researchers and innovators at different stages of development.
ARIA - Extending Our Perception (Hypersensory Intelligence: Olfactory Perception)
The world is rich with information hidden from human senses and not captured by our algorithms. The next era of AI will require Hypersensory Intelligence – AI and novel sensors engineered together to perceive reality in fundamentally new ways, catalysing breakthroughs across disciplines.
Programme Goal: To build a general-purpose artificial olfactory perception system, with:
- Cross-domain generality: One system that can achieve generality across at least 3 distinct Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) application domains without application specific hardware by leveraging learned representations.
- Biological parity: The system matches or exceeds sensitivity of the current best benchmark. This benchmark could be derived from other systems such as a biological or analytical benchmark (e.g. trained canines or analytical chemistry equipment).
- Publicly accessible resources: The hardware, datasets, and AI models are publicly accessible and demonstrated to be usable by several independent research groups
Open From: July 2026
Who should apply: Innovators from industry and academia
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing August)
Consumer Led Flexibility for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for pre-commercialisation projects. This funding is from the UKRI R&D Missions Accelerator Programme through the Clean Energy Superpower Mission.
Deadline: Wednesday 26 August 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: Businesses and innovators who are developing novel AI and digital solutions and other innovative product and service solutions.
European Space Agency: Digitalisation of The Water Sector
ESA seeks space-enabled products and services to improve water resilience and sustainability; proofs of concept and pilot projects are welcomed.
Deadline: 30th August 2026
Who should apply: Companies that intend to develop space-enabled services and products related, but not restricted, to Water Resilience (Water quality monitoring, Water availability management, Water Sanitation, Monitoring of Industrial Discharge) or Water Sustainability (Infrastructure monitoring, High-Non Revenue Water, Failures in Sewage, Resilience to drought and flooding)
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing September)
Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Energy Efficiency
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million. The funding will be to develop, deploy and operate innovative clean maritime solutions for three years in a real world environment. This funding is from the Department for Transport.
The Energy Efficiency strand will fund the development and build of innovative vessel energy efficiency technology and any accompanying innovative infrastructure upgrades.
Deadline: Wednesday 16 September 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK businesses developing and building innovative clean maritime technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Electric Power
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million. The funding will be to develop, deploy and operate innovative clean maritime solutions for three years in a real world environment. This funding is from the Department for Transport.
The Electric Power strand will fund the development and build of:
- Innovative 100% battery electric vessels and accompanying charging infrastructure, and
- Novel, innovative and commercially viable shore power systems including related energy infrastructure at ports and any accompanying vessel upgrades
Shore power projects must focus on novel and innovative shore power infrastructure and vessels that will have shore power capability. The infrastructure must be for providing power to vessels whilst moored, allowing vessels to turn off their conventional power supply.
Competition closes: Wednesday 16 September 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK businesses developing and building innovative clean maritime technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Alternative Fuels
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million. The funding will be to develop, deploy and operate innovative clean maritime solutions for three years in a real world environment. This funding is from the Department for Transport.
The Alternative Fuels strand will fund the development and build of innovative alternative fuel vessels and accompanying port refuelling infrastructure.
Competition closes: Wednesday 16 September 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK businesses developing and building innovative clean maritime technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Circular Bio-Based Europe: 2026 call for project proposals
CBE-JU is funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with up to €20m for the largest projects.
The CBE JU funds projects focused on the production of bio-based chemicals, materials, food and feed ingredients and soil nutrients. Biofuels, bioenergy, food and feed, pharmaceuticals and medical devices are not within the remit of the partnership.
Deadline: Tuesday 22 September 2026
Who should apply: Consortia of at least three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country.
Rolling/Open Calls
Innovate UK Innovation Loans Expression of Interest
UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises can submit an Expression of Interest for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential. They must significantly improve the UK economy and drive societal benefit.
Your project must lead to innovative new products, processes or services that are significantly ahead of others currently available, or propose an innovative use of existing products, processes or services. It can also involve a new or innovative business model.
Your project must focus on at least one of the following six Industrial Strategy Sectors:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Clean Energy
- Creative Industries
- Defence
- Digital and Technologies
- Life Sciences
Who should apply: SMEs with highly innovative late stage research and development (R&D) projects undertaking experimental development with the best potential for the future. There must be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
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 2025.
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
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