🚀 Apply for £10k+ grants with our Startup Launch Kit

Learn More

Get Support

National Grants

National Grants Get My Funding Pack How To Apply Eligibility Create Business Plan Preparation For Grants Get Support

Last update 20/07/2025

Request a call

Grants & Government-Backed Loans in Salford (2025)

Salford City Council supports startups and small businesses through access to government-backed loans, local council-led programmes, and regional funding initiatives.

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

Start-Up Loans
Loans from £500 to £25,000 with fixed ~6 % APR and 12 months of mentoring via British Business Bank.
👉 Start-Up Loans
Recovery Loan Scheme / British Business Bank
Post‑COVID business recovery loans remain accessible through the British Business Bank or via Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) investment routes. (salford.gov.uk, salford.gov.uk, Syob)

🔹 Salford‑Specific Grants & Support

✅ Salford City Council Business Finance Support

Offers alternative funding solutions for growing businesses, including help accessing GMCA’s Investment Fund (salford.gov.uk).
Access eligibility tools like Business Growth Hub's Finance & Support Finder.

✅ Salford City Innovation Growth Fund (University Collaboration)

Grants up to £10,000 (matched funding required) for R&D, prototyping, and consultancy via the University of Salford’s Business Innovation Services.
For SMEs with 5+ employees and at least 2 years of trading. (salford.gov.uk, University of Salford)

✅ Enterprising You & Build A Business

Council-backed startup programmes offering workshops, 1:1 support, business planning, and finance signposting.
Delivered via Business Growth Hub; email BGH@growthco.uk or call 0161 359 3050 (salford.gov.uk)

✅ Net Zero Business Support

Focused on carbon reduction with potential capital grants up to £12,500 (50 % match funding).
Includes energy audits, efficiency upgrades, and green tech projects via Growth Company’s Green Economy team (salford.gov.uk)

✅ Salford Creatives Fund

Small grants between £250–£500 for freelance creatives to cover equipment, training, travel, or CPD.
Administered through Salford CVS; next deadline was 14 Feb 2025 (salfordcvs.co.uk)

✅ Elevate Salford Fund (VCS Sector)

Grants for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) groups until 31 Oct 2025.
Applications due by 7 April; decisions within 4 weeks (Salford City Council News, salfordcvs.co.uk)

✅ Greener Future/Nature Towns Programme

Salford benefits from a £2.6m National Lottery-supported green initiative for public spaces—potential business opportunities via partnerships (Salford Now)

🔹 Regional & Further Support

GM Combined Authority Investment Fund – Loans/equity from £50k up to £5M: includes Business Investment Fund, GM Advance, Life Sciences Fund (Centre for Sustainable Innovation)
GM Business Growth Hub – Innovation Vouchers of up to £5k, plus access to Growth Hub tools (Centre for Sustainable Innovation)

🧭 How to Access Funding

Clarify your need—startup, innovation, net-zero, creative, VCSE.
Use the Growth Hub finance finder to navigate schemes.
Confirm eligibility—especially local address, SME size, and sector.
Prepare a concise plan: goals, costs, impact.
Apply directly online or via assigned contact points.
Combine schemes where allowed, e.g. Innovation Fund + vouchers.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What grants are available for startups?
Salford offers hospitality for startups through the Innovation Growth Fund (up to £10k matched), Enterprising You/Build A Business, and creative small grants. (Salford Innovation Forum, salford.gov.uk, University of Salford, salford.gov.uk)

Q2: Can I get funding for sustainability projects?
Yes—the Net Zero Business Support includes grants up to £12.5k for energy and carbon-reducing equipment. (salford.gov.uk)

Q3: Are there funds for freelance creatives?
Yes—the Salford Creatives Fund offers £250–£500 in support. (salfordcvs.co.uk)

Q4: How do I access large-scale regional investment?
Explore the GMCA Investment Fund series: from £50k to £5m loans/equity for qualifying SMEs. (Wikipedia)

Q5: What support is there for community groups?
VCSE groups can apply for Elevate Salford Fund grants, issued up to 31 October 2025. (salfordcvs.co.uk)

Q6: Who can help me apply?
Contact the Business Growth Hub (call 0161 359 3050 or email BGH@growthco.uk) or Salford City Council’s Business Support Team (0161 793 2500) (salford.gov.uk)

🧭 Next Steps

Explore: Salford City Council Business Finance (salford.gov.uk)
Contact: GM Business Growth Hub at 0161 359 3050 or BGH@growthco.uk (salford.gov.uk)
Apply for Innovation Fund, elevate funding, green support, or creatives grants.
Sign up for updates via the GM Growth Grants and Salford Innovation Forum newsletters.

Value AD

2025

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.

FREE BUSINESS TOOLS