Find funding for your Scottish business
Find business grants & funding in Scotland
Discover grants, funding programmes and business support available to startups, sole traders and established businesses across Scotland.
No account needed. Answer a few questions about your business and see which programmes look relevant.
How the grant finder works
- Tell us about your businessLocation, stage, sector, size and what you need funding for.
- See personalised matchesEach programme is scored and we show you exactly why it matched.
- Apply with the providerCheck the official page, confirm eligibility and apply directly.
We're currently adding and verifying funding opportunities. Please check back soon.
Popular funding categories
Funding in Scotland is usually organised around what the money is for. These are the categories businesses ask about most often.
- Startup grants in ScotlandStartup funding usually supports the first costs of trading: equipment, initial marketing, professional advice and small premises costs. Awards are often smaller than growth funding, and many programmes expect a business plan and evidence that you are ready to trade.
- Equipment grants in ScotlandEquipment funding is typically capital funding: it pays a share of the cost of tools, machinery or fit-out items that you keep. Expect to provide quotes, and to pay part of the cost yourself through match funding.
- Energy efficiency funding in ScotlandEnergy funding helps businesses cut running costs and carbon emissions through insulation, heating, lighting, renewables and low-carbon equipment. Many programmes require an energy assessment first, and some are delivered as interest-free loans rather than grants.
- Digital grants in ScotlandDigital funding covers websites, ecommerce, booking systems, cyber security, data and software adoption. Support is often a mix of small grants and subsidised advice or training.
- Training grants in ScotlandTraining support subsidises accredited courses, management development and specialist skills, and sometimes contributes to the cost of taking on new staff or apprentices.
- Export funding in ScotlandExport support helps with market research, trade shows, translation, certification and specialist advice. Programmes usually expect a clear export plan and evidence of capacity to fulfil overseas orders.
- Innovation grants in ScotlandInnovation funding supports new products, processes and services, often in partnership with a university or research centre. Awards can be large, but competition is strong and applications are assessed against technical and commercial criteria.
- Tourism grants in ScotlandTourism funding supports accommodation, attractions, tours and food and drink experiences, often focusing on accessibility, seasonality and sustainability.
- Manufacturing grants in ScotlandManufacturing support tends to focus on productivity: new machinery, automation, process improvement and decarbonisation of production.
- Rural business grants in ScotlandRural funding recognises the extra cost of operating away from cities. It often covers diversification, premises, transport, connectivity and land-based business investment.
Funding by business stage
Eligibility often depends on how long you have been trading. Filter the directory by the stage your business is at.
Funding by industry
Some programmes are restricted to particular sectors, from food and drink to life sciences and the creative industries.
Funding by Scottish council area
Many schemes are only open to businesses trading in one council area. Choose your area to see local and Scotland-wide funding together.
Frequently asked questions
Who can use Scotland Business Grant Finder?
Anyone running or starting a business in Scotland. You can search the directory and use the matching questionnaire without creating an account.
Do you award the funding listed on this site?
No. We are an independent discovery service. Every programme is run by the funding provider named on its page, and all applications are made directly with that provider.
Are grants available to sole traders in Scotland?
Many programmes accept sole traders, particularly startup, training, digital and energy efficiency support. Some larger innovation funds require a limited company.
Do business grants have to be repaid?
Grants are not normally repaid if you meet the conditions of the offer. Loans and some repayable funding must be paid back, so always check the funding type before applying.
What is match funding?
Match funding is the share of the project cost you pay yourself. If a programme funds 50% of a £10,000 project, you contribute the remaining £5,000.
How current is the information?
Each funding record shows the date we last checked it against the provider's own page. Funding details can change at any time, so always confirm with the provider before applying.