Business development funding

We fund a range of grants to help Orkney businesses start up, grow and reach new markets. We encourage innovation, and support projects that create jobs, raise wages, or help businesses reach markets outside Orkney.

Contact Business Gateway to discuss what support may be available for your project.

Economic Development Grant

We offer grants of up to 30% of eligible capital costs, up to a maximum of £55,000, for projects in eligible sectors. Projects must have minimum eligible costs of £10,000.

Eligible costs can include:

• construction or improvement of buildings (purchasing land or buildings is not eligible)
• purchase of machinery and equipment
• revenue costs such as design, non-statutory training and marketing, considered on a case-by-case basis

Working capital is not eligible. Projects must not threaten or displace existing jobs. All applications must be supported by a business or development plan.

Sectors we prioritise

• food and drink production primarily intended for export outside Orkney
• creative industries and manufacturing primarily intended for export outside Orkney
• high-end niche products only available in Orkney
• knowledge and technology projects that benefit the Orkney economy
• renewable energy supply chain (not energy production)
• services not currently available in Orkney, where viable demand can be demonstrated
• services with a viable external market

Businesses in agriculture, fisheries, and retail goods or services serving only the local market are not eligible. We may consider support for a genuinely new service not already available in Orkney, provided it is not simply a variation of an existing local service.

Flexible Business Development Grant

The Flexible Business Development Grant supports smaller projects that will deliver a clear improvement in business performance. Grants of up to 50% of eligible costs are available, up to a maximum of £5,000.

Eligible costs can include capital expenditure, marketing, and other significant project costs.

Applications are particularly encouraged from businesses in:

• tourism
• food and drink
• low carbon and renewable energy technology
• manufacturing and creative industries
• community-based social enterprises

New Business Start-Up Grant

Grants are available for new businesses starting up in Orkney. To be eligible, your business must have been trading for less than six months and employ fewer than 50 people.

Grants range from £500 to a maximum of £1,500.

Eligible costs include:

• capital equipment
• marketing
• training
• combined start-up costs

Ineligible costs include:

• patenting and intellectual property
• property redecoration alone
• legal or statutory fees
• working capital or wage subsidy
• debt repayment
• stock and consumables
• general running costs

All applicants must register with the Business Gateway and discuss eligibility before submitting an application.

Rural Shop Grant Scheme

Grant funding is available to support rural shops outside Kirkwall. Contact the Business Gateway to discuss eligibility and the support available.

Marketing support

Individual businesses can apply for marketing support through the Flexible Business Development Grant, subject to eligibility.

Orkney Marketing

The Orkney Marketing programme is joint funded by Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and works to raise awareness of Orkney across the UK and beyond.

The programme manages the orkney.com website and its social media channels, and supports industry groups including Orkney Food and Drink, Creative Orkney, Orkney Renewable Energy Forum and Destination Orkney - including helping groups attend and exhibit at events outside Orkney.

Contact us