University of Derby

Invest to Grow

£50,000 to £250,000No closing date statedEast MidlandsCovers 20% of costs

Loans and grants for private-sector businesses in the East Midlands and Staffordshire to fund capital projects that innovate, adapt, grow and create jobs. Suits businesses needing larger capital investment.

What it pays for

  • Equipment
  • Premises
  • Growth
  • Innovation and R&D

Conditions to know about

Programme provides loans and grants of £15,000 to £250,000; applications are for £50,000 to £250,000. Projects may be grant, loan or both. Applicants normally fund at least 80% of total project costs. Covers capital expenditure only; not vehicles, stock, staff or operating costs. Excludes B2C companies and professional services and retail sectors. Also covers Staffordshire, including A38 corridor (Burton on Trent, Uttoxeter).

How to apply

Applications go through the funder. Read their page for the full rules and the form.

Go to the funder’s page

Check if you can apply

Is each of these true for your business?

The business is based in East Midlands
The funder’s wording
The programme is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, sole traders and partnerships located in the East Midlands and Staffordshire
You are a company or partnership or a sole trader
The funder’s wording
The programme is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, sole traders and partnerships located in the East Midlands and Staffordshire

0 of 2 answered

Source: East Midlands Growth Hub: access to local finance. Last checked 11 Nov 2026. Read from the funder’s page by AI, with each key fact checked against the page text.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

Listed under Innovation and R&D, Equipment, Premises, Growth, England

Similar grants

Innovate UK (delivered with Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK)

DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund Drawdown 6

Grant funding for UK zero emission vehicle manufacturing scale-up projects at pilot or demonstration scale. Projects must request between £2.5 million and £20 million and be matched by at least twice the grant in private investment.

£2,500,000 to £20,000,000

Closes 27 Jan 2027

UK-wide

East Renfrewshire Council

East Renfrewshire Council Business Growth Fund

A part-funded grant to help small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises and self-employed people in East Renfrewshire grow turnover, for equipment, premises improvements or exhibiting or developing products.

£1,000 to £10,000

No closing date stated

East Renfrewshire only

East Renfrewshire Council

East Renfrewshire Council Special Growth Grant

A match-funded grant helping local businesses in East Renfrewshire pay for equipment, premises improvements, or exhibiting or developing products, to support growth plans.

Up to £20,000

No closing date stated

East Renfrewshire only