UK Funding, incentives & reliefs

financial support options to Help you start Your business in the uK.

Financial support for new businesses

Foreign start ups can access a broad range of schemes and programmes designed to incentivise business owners to set up in the UK.

The UK is generally considered to be forward-thinking and welcoming of entrepreneurs in terms of financial policy and infrastructure.

The British Business Bank for example was established by the UK Government to help smaller businesses access credit and finance.

Whether you are looking to set up in the UK to expand an existing company or to start up your first business, there are a number of financial support and funding opportunities to consider.

Research & development reliefs

The UK offers businesses generous tax relief to support investment in UK-based R&D activity through schemes such as Patent Box, R&D Tax Relief and R&D Expenditure Credit and Patent Box which offers a 10% corporation tax (compared to the usual 19%) on profits from inventions patented in the UK.

Venture capital financing

Foreign start ups in the UK can access government-backed venture capital financing options such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), which grant private investors significant tax breaks when they invest in early-stage companies. The SEIS/EIS schemes enable investors to claim back income tax reliefs – 50% for SEIS and 30% for EIS – access Capital Gains Tax reliefs and deferrals, as well as applying for loss relief where applicable.

Support for tech companies

Under the Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme, non-UK based founders of tech companies can access mentoring and business support to help with setting up and scaling their business from a UK global headquarters.

Location-based funding

Depending on where in the UK you choose to base your operations, you may be able to access funding through local programmes, such as the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Local Enterprise Partnerships and programmes specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.