Where to get small business grants in 2025
Looking for funding to scale your business? Here’s where to look for a small business grant in New Zealand, plus tips on how to win it.
For eyewear brand Billy Boston, winning a grant early in the business’ evolution was a game-changer. The grant pays half of the brand’s expenditure on overseas marketing for three years, up to a maximum of $83,000 per year.
“It is fantastic because otherwise we would have a very limited budget for marketing, and especially for overseas marketing, which is a bit of an unknown,” says Billy Boston co-founder Angela Sweeney.
Anyone who runs a business in New Zealand may be eligible for a small business grant.
For all government grants, you must first register with the Regional Business Partner Network. This service is designed to give business owners advice and access to resources. Enrolment is free and you'll be paired with a business mentor, who can check your suitability for the grants on offer.
There are various grant programs designed to support specific business angles such as Māori business owners and start-up support.
Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid, although there will be rules around how the money is spent, and you may be asked to show how the grant has helped to move your business forward.
Whether you’re in retail, marketing, trade, manufacturing or e-commerce, there are grants — both government and privately funded — available to help strengthen and scale your business.
Here are six to get you started.
1 Management Capability Development Fund
Funding: Co-funding of up to 50 per cent for management capability development training.
Best for: Established businesses aiming to enhance management skills and drive growth.
What it covers: Supports training in business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and other essential management areas.
Application deadline: Year-round.
2 Digital Boost Program
Funding: Provides free training and support; some aspects may include co-funding opportunities.
Best for: Retail businesses aiming to enhance their digital presence and e-commerce capabilities.
What it covers: Offers training and support to help businesses establish or improve their online presence, including e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, and online customer engagement strategies.
Application deadline: Ongoing.
3 New to R&D Grant
Funding: Up to $400,000, covering 40 per cent of eligible R&D activities.
Best for: Businesses new to research and development (R&D) activities, aiming to kickstart their R&D projects.
What it covers: Supports initial research and development costs and capability development activities to bring new ideas to market.
Application deadline: Year-round.
4 R&D Experience Grant
Funding: Varies based on the number of interns and duration of internships.
Best for: Businesses with ongoing R&D programs looking to provide tertiary-level students with practical R&D experience via internships.
What it covers: Funds full-time summer internships, allowing students to gain real-world R&D experience while contributing to the business's innovation projects.
Application deadline: Applications for 2025-26 internships are expected to open in July.
5 Energy Management Support
Funding: Varies based on the project and level of energy efficiency improvements.
Best for: Businesses investing in energy-efficient manufacturing processes aiming to reduce energy costs and improve sustainability.
What it covers: Support and co-funding for initiatives that enhance energy efficiency within business operations.
Application deadline: Year-round.
6 Primary Industry Grants
Funding: Varies depending on the project scope and objectives.
Best for: Businesses operating in the primary sector or utilising primary industry materials, such as food and beverage manufacturers, especially those focusing on sustainability, productivity, or biosecurity enhancements.
What it covers: Supports projects that aim to improve sustainability, productivity, or biosecurity within New Zealand's primary industries.
Application deadline: Check the Ministry for Primary Industries website for current opportunities and deadlines.
5 top tips to securing a grant
Applying for funding can be a lengthy process and involves gathering and presenting information to the best of your ability. Here’s what you need to know before putting in the hard yards.
1 Find grants that align with your goals
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is applying for every grant they come across, rather than focusing on those that match their needs.
“Each grant has specific funding priorities,” explains Janine Owen of grant-discovery platform Grant’d. “Funders want to invest in businesses that align with their goals, so choosing the right grants is just as important as writing a strong application.”
2 Define how you’ll use the funds in specific terms
Funders want to see exactly how their money will be used and the impact it will create. Clearly outlining where the money is going will make your application more compelling.
Owen advises: “Instead of saying, ‘This grant will help grow our business,’ use specifics such as, ‘The grant will fund staff training to improve operational efficiency, reducing delivery times by 20 per cent.’”
"You can strengthen your application in a variety of ways."
3 Keep good records
Almost every grant application will require financial documentation such as revenue figures, profit-and-loss statements, tax returns and projected budgets.
“If your financials are disorganised or unclear, it could delay your application — or result in an automatic rejection,” says Owen. “Keeping up-to-date records will ensure you’re prepared when a great grant opportunity opens up.”
4 Make your application stand out
Grants are highly competitive. Funders may receive thousands of applications, so they are looking for businesses that stand out.
“You can strengthen your application in a variety of ways,” advises Owen.
“Tell a story – show the real-world impact your business is making, or a challenge you are solving. Back your claims with facts, figures and case studies. And be concise – funders don’t want to have to wade through long-winded responses.”
5 Apply early
Many grants close as soon as the allocated funds run out so waiting until the last minute means you might miss out.
Owen believes the early bird really does win in this case. “Most grants require a lot of documentation which will take time to organise, so starting early gives you the best chance of submitting a well-prepared application…
“It’s also a good idea to create a grant tracking system to stay on top of deadlines, document requirements, and submission statuses,” she says. “Using a tool like Grant’d can help streamline this process.”
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