Are there any grant programmes in the UK that support searchers?

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July 15, 2025

by a searcher from New York University in London, UK

Are there any grant programmes or public funding initiatives in the UK that support searchers or serial acquirers building SME portfolios? We’re focused on acquiring and scaling traditional SMEs through a tech-enabled value creation strategy — digitising operations, and improving margins. Would love to hear from anyone who’s navigated this space.
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commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
in Cambridge, UK
Nothing relevant for acquisitions. And no UK government support like US SBA loans, only the Government Growth Guarantee Scheme which can occasionally help with lending, but each lender has its own interpretation of eligibility. https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme There are pockets of grant funding available for R&D (also tax credits available for genuine innovation) but little on the commercial side. Aside from that you can look at: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support
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Reply by a searcher
from University of Nottingham in Cirencester, UK
Not grants, but the British Business Bank is devolving capital (debt and equity) to local fund managers. i.e. Maven runs the SouthWest etc. https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/
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