Financial support for businesses

The availability of funding can change on a regular basis so continue to monitor this page for regular updates.

• Grants and loans from Swansea Council
• Regional and local financial support schemes
• National support programmes
• Finance and support for your business search (GOV.UK) (opens new window)

Grants and loans from Swansea Council

Shared Prosperity Fund grant schemes

Important update on the UK Shared Prosperity grant programme (July 2025)

Due to the budget for the 2025/26 financial year now being fully allocated, we are no longer issuing application forms for the UK Shared Prosperity grant programme. We understand this may be disappointing, and we thank all businesses for their interest and engagement. 

Please check back for updates or future funding opportunities.

We will continue to deliver our business support workshops and will promote these, along with any funding updates, through our usual channels: Business support team

If you require any one-to-one business advice support, then please email our partner organisation swansea@focusfutures.co.uk and request a self-referral form. 

Toward Net Zero Carbon training

As the world focuses on reducing carbon emissions, businesses have an important role to play in reaching global climate goals. Our training course aims to equip small and medium-sized businesses in Swansea with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve carbon neutrality, build resilience to climate change and increasing energy prices, and contribute to a sustainable future.

During the training course, participants will learn about the basics of carbon reduction and the path to net-zero emissions. We will cover topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, waste reduction, and more. Additionally, we will provide hands-on activities and case studies to help participants understand how to apply these concepts in their own businesses.

This course is mandatory for any business wishing to access the Carbon Reduction Grant. 

Online booking for future training - Toward Net Zero Carbon (eventbrite) (opens new window)

UK steel grant

A grant scheme in partnership with UK Steel Enterprise Ltd offering up to £1,000 for new start-ups or businesses which are under 2 years old in the Swansea Council area. However, the grant will only cover 50% of the eligible project costs and the minimum grant payable is £250. 

Grant funding covers items such as equipment, qualifications, accountancy, software, web development and tools.

The funding pot is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For further details, please contact startupgrant@swansea.gov.uk.

Town centre loan fund

We have a loan fund of £2,000,000 from the Welsh Government as part of the Town Centre Loan scheme. 

The areas covered by the scheme include Swansea city centre and Morriston town centre.

Find out more about the Town Centre Loan scheme and how to apply Town centre loan fund

Transforming Towns: placemaking grants

Transforming Towns was launched by the Welsh Government in January 2020 to address the decline in town and city centres and the reduced demand for high street retail. The focus of the programme is sustainable growth of our towns and cities, and their transformation into places of living, working, learning and leisure. 

Find out more about Transforming Towns Transforming Towns: placemaking grants

Regional and local financial support schemes

Development Bank of Wales (opens new window)

The Development Bank of Wales was established by the Welsh Government to support the economy of Wales by making it easier for businesses to get the finance needed to start up, strengthen and grow. Funding available ranges from £1,000 to £5m and is available to businesses from start-up upwards. Interest rates will vary between 4-12% but are fixed for the term of your arrangement.

Prince's Trust (opens new window)

The Prince's Trust entrepreneur programme is eligible to new young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 years old. The programme provides access to interactive workshop, business mentoring and the opportunity to apply for a £750 start-up grant and direct access to a start-up loan of £500 - £5000.

National support programmes

British Business Bank (opens new window)

The British Business Bank offers loans of up to £25,000 for start-up of business growth projects. Loans are fixed at 6% interest per annum with repayment periods of between 1-5 years. This scheme is backed by UK Government and includes 12 months of free mentoring.

UK Innovation Competitions (opens new window)

Finance available for SMEs undertaking R+D projects. Innovate UK have a range of Innovation competitions available to appropriate projects.

UK Innovation - search for a competition (opens new window)

UK Steel (UKSE) (opens new window)

UKSE are able to invest in projects that are valued at £25k+ with unsecured lending or equity funding for projects £100k+ particularly those aimed at energy and manufacturing. 

UnLtd (opens new window)

UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs - enterprising people with solutions that change society for the better. New ventures may be eligible for awards of between £500 and £5000, social ventures looking to grow may be able to apply for up to £15,000.