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    Last update 19/07/2025

    2025 Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups in Greenwich (UK‑Wide Guide)


    Introduction

    Greenwich offers a strong ecosystem for startups and small businesses. While the council doesn’t directly offer loans or grants, it provides access to expert support and helps connect you with national programmes. This guide outlines all viable financial support available in 2025, complete with up-to-date, fully clickable links.


    Local Council Support

    🔹 Greenwich Business Support Service

    • Greenwich Council itself does not provide direct grants or loans, but offers referrals to professional business advisers who can assist with funding options (Startup Grant).

    • It also provides access to the Royal Greenwich business grant finder, a database of 4,000+ government, local, and charitable funding schemes (Royal Greenwich).

    • Contact: 020 8921 8689 / business@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (Royal Greenwich).


    🔹 Start Up Greenwich (via Libraries & GLL)

    • Supported by British Library BIPC and UKSPF, this service offers workshops, one-to-one coaching, networking events, and access to business databases like COBRA (Better).

    • Includes a grants programme of up to £20,000, offering £500–£2,000 to each business to support equipment, services, or community-focused projects. The next round runs 6–31 January 2025 (Better).


    🔹 Clean Tech Incubator (Better Futures)

    • Offers support for clean-tech startups via a £1.6 million programme including leadership training, workspace, and mentorship, funded by London.gov.uk (Royal Greenwich).


    National Government‑Backed Schemes

    🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)


    🔹 Recovery Loan Scheme & Bounce Back Loan Scheme

    • Once offered up to £2 million and £50,000 respectively—but both are now closed to new applications.


    Other Support & Referral Programmes

    • Carbon Trust loans: interest‑free up to £500,000 for energy efficiency upgrades (Royal Greenwich).

    • Social Investment Business: grants and loans for social enterprises and community projects (Wikipedia).

    • Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG): government guarantee to support bank loans between £1,000 and £1 million for viable businesses (Wikipedia).

    • Shifting London Start Up & Trade Up: social‑enterprise accelerator funded by UKSPF via School for Social Entrepreneurs (Royal Greenwich).

    • Virgin Start Up Empower100: Accelerator for BAME, women, and disabled founders (Royal Greenwich).

    • University of Greenwich support: innovation support, regional funding connectors, and European funding referrals (University of Greenwich).


    Eligibility Guidance

    • Start‑Up Loans: UK‑resident founders with viable business ideas and sufficient credit.

    • Carbon Trust loans: suitable for energy-saving equipment investments.

    • EFG: for viable businesses needing £1k–£1m loans with limited security.

    • Social Enterprise & Incubator Schemes: Eligibility varies—check each programme’s criteria.

    • Start Up Greenwich grants: Available to registered businesses in the borough with bank accounts in business name (Startup Grant, Better, Wikipedia).


    Application Process

    1. Identify the suitable financial support (loan, grant, incubator).

    2. Prepare your application: business plan, financial forecasts, credit proofs, and energy assessments (if relevant).

    3. Apply via GOV.UK (Start‑Up Loans), Carbon Trust, or respective programme portals.

    4. Attend workshops, interviews, or mentoring sessions where applicable.

    5. Await the decision and, if successful, comply with reporting and monitoring post-funding.


    Additional Tips

    • Use the Royal Greenwich Grant Finder tool via the council site (Royal Greenwich).

    • Tap into Start Up Greenwich’s network via libraries for free mentoring and events (Better).

    • Consider clean-tech incubators if your business is sustainable-focused (Royal Greenwich).

    • Access broader funding via Carbon Trust, EFG, SIB and university-linked initiatives.


    Contact & Further Information


    FAQs

    ▫️ Does Greenwich Council give out grants or loans?
    No—they offer referrals to advisers and provide access to a grant finder database (Startup Grant, Royal Greenwich).

     

    ▫️ What is Start Up Greenwich?
    A library-based startup initiative offering mentoring, workshops, and a £500–£2,000 grant to borough‑based businesses (Wikipedia).

     

    ▫️ Can I get a Clean Tech incubator grant?
    Yes—Greenwich hosts a Clean Tech incubator via London.gov.uk funding for cleantech businesses (Royal Greenwich).

     

    ▫️ Are national loan schemes still open?
    Only Start‑Up Loans are open—the Recovery and Bounce Back schemes are closed.

     

    ▫️ What if I’m a social enterprise?
    You can explore support from Social Investment Business and nonprofit incubators running via CIC grants (Royal Greenwich, Wikipedia).

     

    ▫️ Who do I contact for help?
    Start with Greenwich Business Support (020 8921 8689 / business@royalgreenwich.gov.uk).

     

     

     

     

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