• Swindon & Wiltshire Education, training and skills
• Wednesday February 18 2026

New funding for Bristol scale-ups announced

Bristol area businesses looking for scale up are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from the University of the West of England.

The university has launched the next round of Scale up 4 Growth (S4G) grant funding, designed to accelerate the growth of small and medium‑sized enterprises across the region.

Eligible SMEs can apply for 50 per cent match‑funded grants contributing toward projects valued between £20,000 and £80,000.

S4G supports projects that help companies scale, innovate and boost productivity. Funding can be used to address specific challenges or opportunities, such as adopting new technology, developing new products or services, or increasing operational capacity.

The grants aim to support growth activity for SMEs from the UK Government’s eight high-growth, high-potential sectors – collectively known as the IS-8.

All funded projects must create at least one full-time equivalent role per £10,000 of grant awarded, ensuring meaningful economic impact for the region.

Eligible businesses must:

• Employ between five and 249 people
• Have a turnover of under £44 million or a balance sheet total of under £38 million
• Be located and deliver project activity and outcomes within a 50‑mile radius of UWE Bristol
• Demonstrate clear ambitions to grow, including increased employment and turnover

Proposals should link to at least one of the five growth challenges facing scale-up and high growth enterprises: finding talent/skills, building leadership capacity, increasing sales/access to markets, accessing finance/growth capital, and accessing infrastructure.

As well as financial support, participating SMEs will benefit from one-to-one expert guidance from the S4G team, who will help refine project concepts and ensure eligibility.

Director of research and external engagement at UWE Bristol, Tracey John, said: “We are proud to champion SMEs across the region.

“At such a pivotal moment for the regional economy, this programme is helping businesses unlock their potential and accelerate their growth.

“This area is a hub for innovation, and we’re delighted to play a role in driving that momentum forward.”

To find out more, and submit an expression of interest, visit the UWE Bristol website.

Applications close on March 12.