Get Support

National Grants

National Grants Members Benefits How To Apply Eligibility Create Business Plan Preparation For Grants Get Support

Last update 20/07/2025

2025 Grants & Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in North Ayrshire, UK

Introduction

North Ayrshire Council and Scottish funding bodies offer a range of grants and government‑backed loans to support new and growing businesses. This guide provides up-to-date details for 2025 on what’s available, how to apply, and where to get support.

Available Grants

🔹 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (North Ayrshire Council)

Purpose: Supports community, place-making, digital and green business projects.
Grant value: £5,000–£25,000 (2025–26) (North Ayrshire Council)
Eligibility: Local organisations and small businesses.
Apply: Email spf@north-ayrshire.gov.uk before 31 March 2026 (North Ayrshire Council)

🔹 North Ayrshire Council Business Support Fund

Purpose: Offers flexible grants and consultancy to help new and existing businesses survive and grow.
Eligibility: Any business located in North Ayrshire (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)
Support: Free advisory service; response within 5 working days (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)
Apply: Via the official Business Support Fund page (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)

🔹 Business Growth Support Funds

Purpose: Helps businesses scale through digital innovation, capacity-building, energy efficiency, and investor readiness.
Eligibility: North Ayrshire SMEs (thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk)
Apply: Contact the Business Team via phone/email (thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk)

🔹 DigitalBoost Development Grant

Purpose: Supports digital enhancement (e‑commerce, software, websites).
Grant value: Typically up to £2,000 (inspire.scot, startupgrant.co.uk)
Eligibility: Scottish SMEs introducing new digital capabilities (inspire.scot)
Apply: Via the DigitalBoost portal and Business Gateway support (inspire.scot)

🔹 North Ayrshire Ventures Trust / Community Grants

Purpose: Supports social enterprises and community organisations.
Grant value: Up to £30,000 (North Ayrshire Council)
Apply: Through Council grants applications (GrantsApplications@north‑ayrshire.gov.uk) (North Ayrshire Council)

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans

Loan value: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed (~6% APR) with 12 months’ mentoring (North Ayrshire Council)
Eligibility: UK residents, startups under 2–3 years old
Apply: https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Business Loans Scotland

Loan value: Up to £100,000 for SMEs (Wikipedia)
Interest: Fixed (~6%) (Aberdeen City Committees)
Eligibility: Scottish SMEs seeking growth finance
Apply: Via Business Loans Scotland partners

🔹 Scottish Loan Scheme

Loan value: £1,000–£2 million (startupgrant.co.uk, Wikipedia)
Apply: Through the national Find Business Support portal

Local Support & Signposting

🔹 Business Gateway North Ayrshire

Free advice and guidance, connections to funding, Property help, procurement routes, innovation support (Business Gateway | Business Gateway, thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk)
Contact: business@north‑ayrshire.gov.uk or +44 1294 449944

🔹 Support to Grow Your Business (This Is North Ayrshire)

One-to-one guidance, funding signposting, Growth Managers for high-potential firms (thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk)
Apply: https://www.thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk/grow/support-to-grow-your-business/

Eligibility & Guidance

Use GOV.UK / Find Business Support Scotland to search national/regional grants
Business Gateway offers advice and helps identify suitable funding (thisisnorthayrshire.co.uk, Business Gateway | Business Gateway)

Application Process

Identify relevant funding streams based on your business needs.
Prepare documents: business plan, financial forecasts, quotes, ID/address proof.
Submit application via the correct portal (Council, DigitalBoost, Start‑Up Loans).
Engage with advisors for planning and refining your application.
Await decision (typically 2–8 weeks).
Use funds, provide receipts, and submit monitoring if requested.

Additional Tips

Networking & mentoring: Access Business Gateway and Growth Managers.
Alternative funding: Consider peer-to-peer lending (e.g., LendingCrowd) (startupgrant.co.uk, gov.scot, Wikipedia), or equity/crowdfunding.
Monitor fund availability: Community and shared prosperity pots have limited budgets.
Combine funding streams: E.g., grant + loan + private investment.

Contact & Further Information

Business Gateway North Ayrshire
- Email: business@north‑ayrshire.gov.uk
- Phone: +44 1294 449944 (North Ayrshire Council, Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
North Ayrshire Council Business Team
- Email: GrantsApplications@north‑ayrshire.gov.uk (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)
DigitalBoost Grant: via Business Gateway support
Start‑Up Loans: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Business Loans Scotland: via partner organisations
GOV.SCOT / Find Business Support: national grant search

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

▫️ What grants are available right now in North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire Council offers UKSPF grants (£5k–£25k), Business Support Fund, DigitalBoost, and social/community grants.

▫️ Can I get a Start‑Up Loan here?
Yes — available UK-wide via Start‑Up Loans including mentoring and financial support.

▫️ What is the Business Support Fund?
A flexible grant and consultancy programme providing advisory support and project funding.

▫️ How much can I borrow from Business Loans Scotland?
Up to £100,000 with a fixed 6% interest rate (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce : home, Wikipedia, North Ayrshire Council, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, Aberdeen City Committees).

▫️ Is there funding for digital upgrades?
Yes. DigitalBoost grants typically offer up to £2,000 for digital projects (startupgrant.co.uk).

▫️ Who do I contact to discuss funding options?
Start with Business Gateway North Ayrshire at business@north‑ayrshire.gov.uk or phone +44 1294 449944.

▫️ How long does it take to get a decision?
Expect between 2–8 weeks, based on fund and scheme.

▫️ Can I apply for multiple schemes at once?
Yes. You can combine grants, loans, and private funding where criteria allow.

▫️ Are community organisations eligible too?
Yes—for example, Ventures Trust grants up to £30,000 for voluntary organisations (North Ayrshire Council).

▫️ What documentation do I need?
A clear business plan, financial forecasts, quotes, ID/address proof, and project rationale.

▫️ What if my application is rejected?
Ask for feedback, refine your package, and explore other funding options.

▫️ Is match funding required?
Some grants, such as UKSPF-backed schemes, may require match funding.

▫️ Where can I find national-level support?
Use the GOV.UK or Find Business Support Scotland tool to search broader programmes.

Value AD

CAN BE

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

What is Value Ad?

Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.

How is it a Win-Win Deal?

For New Businesses:

Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.

Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.

For Service Providers:

Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.

Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.

Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.

Alternative Investment for New Businesses:

For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.

Benefits for Service Providers:

Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:

Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.

Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.

Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.

In Summary:

Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.

Value AD

100% FREE BUSINESS TOOl