If you are running a business in Wales, you likely know that the funding landscape shifts almost as often as the weather. Now that we are well into 2026, the era of easy-access "get a free website" vouchers is largely behind us. However, that doesn’t mean support has dried up. In fact, for businesses ready to innovate rather than just replicate, the opportunities this year are more targeted and potentially more impactful.
At Pedwar, we often speak to clients who have heard rumours of "government money" but aren't sure where to look. The reality is that funding in 2026 has moved away from generic support and toward specific growth areas, namely Artificial Intelligence (AI), youth entrepreneurship, and regional transitions.
Here is a breakdown of what is actually available right now, based on the latest announcements from the Welsh Government and key development partners.
The biggest news for early 2026 is the Welsh Government's £2.1 million investment designed specifically to help SMEs adopt Artificial Intelligence. This isn't just for tech giants; it is aimed at everyday businesses looking to modernise their processes.
The fund is split into practical streams that could directly benefit your digital strategy:
AI isn't just a buzzword; it's about automation. We can build bespoke systems that integrate AI to handle your booking inquiries or analyse customer data. This grant makes that kind of advanced custom development much more affordable.
For the next generation of business owners, the SWEF (South West Enterprise Fund) remains a vital resource. While currently paused, it is scheduled to reopen on 13 April 2026.
This fund offers grants of up to £2,000 for business owners aged 18-30. Crucially, this funding can be used for building a website or booking system, provided it is a core part of your business growth and meet SWEF eligibility rules.
However, they are strict on quality. From what we understand, they generally won't fund simple wireframes; they want to fund the execution of a platform that is ready to launch. This aligns perfectly with our approach, we don't just sketch ideas; we build robust, launch-ready platforms from the ground up.
There was concern that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund would vanish entirely this year. Fortunately, the UK Government confirmed an extension for a "transition year" running until 31 March 2026.
What does this mean for you? It means local authorities across Wales still have pots of money to allocate before the financial year ends.
Because these funds are administered locally (e.g., by Swansea Council or Wrexham Council), the criteria vary by postcode. Many of these grants require a quote for "specialist services", which is exactly what a bespoke web development project falls under.
One detail often missed by applicants is that grant bodies want to fund innovation and growth, not just maintenance.
Applying for £5,000 to buy a generic WordPress template often fails because it doesn't demonstrate a unique competitive advantage. However, applying for funding to build a custom database that solves a specific logistics problem, or a bespoke e-commerce platform that handles bilingual (Welsh/English) transactions natively, makes a much stronger business case.
Because we code everything from scratch, we can help you articulate exactly why your digital project is innovative and essential for your growth, giving your application a better chance of success.
The key date to watch is April 2026, when the new Local Growth Fund is expected to replace some of the older schemes. But if you are looking at the AI fund or the tail end of the Shared Prosperity Fund, you need to move now.
If you have identified a grant you want to apply for and need a detailed, technical proposal and quote for the digital work, we can help. We provide clear, plain-English breakdowns of exactly what we will build, which is often exactly what grant assessors are looking for.
Would you like to discuss a project proposal to support your funding application? Contact us today for a chat about your needs.
Disclaimer: Funding schemes change rapidly. The information above is accurate as of 5th February 2026, but we always recommend checking the official Business Wales or specific provider websites for the very latest eligibility criteria.
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