Ambitious small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region are being invited to apply for the latest round of Scale up 4 Growth (S4G) funding, launched by UWE Bristol to help businesses accelerate innovation, create jobs and grow with confidence.
S4G offers £400,000 of grant funding to support projects that will strengthen operations, boost productivity and increase impact across key high-growth sectors.
Eligible SMEs can apply for 50% match-funded grants of £10,000 to £40,000, towards projects with a total value between £20,000 and £80,000. Projects above £80,000 may also be considered, with the grant element capped at £40,000, where applicants can clearly demonstrate deliverability within the programme timescales.
All funded projects must create at least 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) job for every £10,000 of grant awarded, ensuring the funding delivers tangible economic benefit as well as business growth.
Alongside financial support, every participating business will receive tailored 1:1 guidance from the S4G team to help refine project ideas, confirm eligibility and strengthen applications.
Who the funding is for
Scale up 4 Growth is open to SMEs with clear, ambitious plans for growth.
To be considered for funding, businesses must:
- Have 5 to 249 employees
- Have an annual turnover of less than or equal to £44 million or a balance sheet total of less than or equal to £38 million
- Deliver project activity and outcomes within a 50-mile radius of UWE Bristol
- Operate within one or more of the UK Government’s eight high-growth, high-potential IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services
Proposals should ideally link to at least one of the five core growth challenges facing scale-up and high-growth enterprises:
- Finding talent and skills
- Building leadership capacity
- Increasing sales and access to markets
- Accessing finance and growth capital
- Accessing infrastructure
Businesses whose projects sit slightly outside these criteria are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the S4G team before applying, as support may still be available in some circumstances.
What the funding can support
Projects should tackle a specific growth challenge or opportunity, such as:
- Adopting new technology or systems
- Developing new products or services
- Increasing capacity or productivity
- Scaling operations to reach new markets
The programme is designed to help SMEs move from intention to implementation, combining funding with expert support to make growth plans deliverable.
How to apply
- Applications open: Monday 16 February 2026
- Applications close: Thursday 12 March 2026
SMEs that meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to explore a growth project are invited to express their interest and find out more here:
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/business/businesses-and-employers/scale-up-4-growth
Businesses that do not fully meet the S4G eligibility criteria, but have a project they would like to discuss, can contact uwebusiness@uwe.ac.uk to explore other forms of support.
