What is the difference between a grant and equity investment?
A grant does not take shares. An equity investor buys part of the company and expects a return if it is sold or grows. A grant is usually restricted to a project and can be clawed back. Investment is not restricted in the same way, and it dilutes the owners. Neither is free of conditions. Find Grants does not introduce investors.
Also asked as: grant vs investor · should I give away shares · angel investment vs grant
| Grant | Equity | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | None | The investor owns a stake |
| If you fail | You may repay if you broke the rules | The investor loses value with you |
| What it may pay for | What the brief allows | What the deal says |
Can I have both?
Yes. Some innovation rounds even expect private investment alongside the grant. The same pound cannot be both the grant and the match. Show the split.
Schemes named here
- Innovate UK Smart grantInnovate UK · £25,000–£2,000,000 · A business · Up to 249 · Manufacturing, Digital and creative, Energy and environment, Professional services, Health and care · Closes 20 Jan 2027
Related
128 answers on this site. Find Grants checks which UK grants a business can get from a postcode or a place. Looking is free. If you want the application written, the fee is £99 for that one application, shown before you pay. Find Grants does not take a percentage of the grant, does not file the form, and is not part of GOV.UK. Confirm every scheme on the funder's own site.