Invest East Lothian
.page-id-646

Funding

The Invest East Lothian team can support your business to access funding whether you are looking to start-up, grow or locate in East Lothian.

Available grant and loan programmes vary and applicants should check guidance and criteria direct with the funding body prior to applying.

To keep up to date with the latest funding opportunities or to speak with the team signup to our newsletter and send us a message here.

Funding opportunities

UKSPF Business Growth and Innovation Capital Grant

We are pleased to announce that East Lothian Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Capital Grant Fund is now open for applications for 2025/2026. This competitive fund offers capital grants ranging from £15,000 to £35,000 to support business projects that drive local economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance long-term sustainability.

We warmly invite and encourage applications from businesses in East Lothian. Please note that funding is limited, and the fund’s application period will close on Monday 23rd June 2025.

East Lothian Investments Ltd

East Lothian Investments Ltd is a not-for-profit company, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, providing interest free loans to East Lothian based businesses.

  • Borrow up to £25,000
  • Repayment period up to 5 years
  • 0% interest with small up-front arrangement fee
  • Open to businesses across all sectors and at all stages
  • Capital repayment holidays available

East Lothian Council

Grants are available linked to specific funding streams such as UKSPF. To ensure you are aware of current opportunities sign up to our newsletter.

Find Business Support

Find Business Support is a website which provides information on funding and services offered by public services in Scotland.  Businesses can search by location, all available support or area of interest.

Further Funding Opportunities

Start-up & SME Finance

Scottish EDGE | Scotland's biggest business funding competition - for startups, social enterprises and charities.

  • Competition runs twice per year. Funding split of loan/grant up to £100,000.

Start-up Business Loans - Start-up Loans

  • Government backed loans, borrow up to £25,000 over 5 years.

 

Larger scale investment providers

Scottish National Investment Bank

  • Typically for businesses and projects seeking more than £1m in investment support (debt or equity).

Scottish Enterprise - Funding opportunities for business

  • Access to range of Equity funding, co-investment funding opportunities.

 

Technology & Innovation Funding

Scotland | techstart | Supporting tech start-ups across the UK

  • Seed funding for early stage technology businesses looking to scale.

Funding | Interface Online

  • Funding programmes to link businesses with University Research Teams and Academia.

 

Social Enterprise & Third Sector

Firstport - Funding for starting & growing

  • Grant funding for Social Entrepreneurs ranging from £5,000-£50,000.

Social Investment Scotland - Investment opportunities

  • Tailored funding solutions up to £1million.

 

Energy & Sustainability Funding

Business Energy Scotland - SME Loan Scheme

  • Loans of up to £100,000 with cashback grants up to £30,000 to support energy efficiency projects.

Zero Waste Scotland - Business funding

  • Range of funding options to support the circular economy.