Could someone else pay for it?
Four questions about your business show which grants and free programmes in the West of England might help, and why.
Programmes that might help
Answer all four questions for a clearer picture.
Likely to fit
Made Smarter West of England
Run by West of England Combined Authority
Up to £20,000 of match funding (50%) towards new technology, plus an expert digital roadmap, leadership training and a digital intern.
Runs in funding rounds. Funding comes in rounds. The 2026/27 round reopened in April 2026.
We scope Made Smarter projects free with any audit, and can deliver the automation the grant part-funds.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Likely to fit
Made Smarter in other regions
Run by Made Smarter
The same technology adoption programme runs in other English regions, with similar funding and advice.
Runs in funding rounds. Each region runs its own rounds and rules.
We can still scope the project with you and help with the application.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Likely to fit
Tech for Growth
Run by Business West, with the West of England Combined Authority and techSPARK
A free technology audit, dedicated consultancy and workshops on AI, CRM and SEO.
Check current availability. Check the programme page for current places.
Tech for Growth stops at advice. We build what it recommends, at a fixed price.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Likely to fit
West of England Growth Hub
Run by West of England Combined Authority
Free help finding the right funding, skills and innovation support for your business.
Open. Very small businesses are mostly pointed to online guides.
Ask them which programmes suit you. We’re happy to work alongside them.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Likely to fit
UWE Bristol AI readiness workshops
Run by University of the West of England
Free AI readiness workshops for small and medium businesses. UWE also runs an AI-Ready Robotics programme for manufacturers.
Runs in funding rounds. Workshops run on set dates.
Been to one? We offer workshop alumni a Starter to turn the ideas into working automations.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Likely to fit
techSPARK Bristol & Bath AI
Run by techSPARK
Free meetups and AI sessions for local businesses, with talks from people using AI day to day.
Open. Free. Dates are listed on Eventbrite.
We speak at these sessions. Come and say hello.
Read the details on their site (opens in a new tab)Checked 18 October 2026
Made Smarter could pay half.
Grant scoping is free with the £595 audit. We map the work, size the project and help you apply.
Book the audit with free grant scopingA guide, not a decision. Each programme sets its own rules and they change between rounds, so always confirm with the programme before you apply. Programme details last checked 18 October 2026.