Missing out on subsidies could mean losing crucial funding for your business. But how do you choose the right grants and how do you stay up to date? This blog explores three methods to run your subsidy search and find what works best for your organization.
Why Your Subsidy Search Approach Matters
Choosing the right strategy isn't just about finding money, it's about maximizing opportunities while efficiently using your resources. A well-planned subsidy scan can mean the difference between securing vital funding and missing out on game-changing opportunities.
1. External Subsidy Scan Consultants
Working with external consultants offers immediate access to expertise and established networks. These professionals often bring years of experience giving them important know-how to read between the lines of grant criteria. They’ve seen what works and what doesn’t for companies, and can often provide a good estimation of your eligibility.
When to Choose External Consultants
Consider external consultants when you want quick insights into relevant grants and don’t have the time to do the research yourself. They’re especially valuable for giving you deeper insights into your eligibility, sometimes a grant looks relevant at first glance but hidden details in the grant documents can hurt your case. Experienced consultants know how to spot these nuances early.
Making the Most of Consultant Relationships
Use consultants as your second pair of eyes. Share your shortlist of potential grants with them and ask for their take on eligibility. A good consultant can explain why a scheme does or doesn’t fit your project. A great consultant will help you shape your project so that it aligns with the requirements of the subsidy.
2. Building In-House Expertise
Developing internal expertise gives you direct control over the process. While it requires initial investment, it builds long-term capabilities within your organization.
Setting Up Your Internal Subsidy Scan Process
Start by designating a team member to explore the broad subsidy landscape. Your research begins by looking at grants related to themes that match your project like sustainability, innovation, export, education, or social impact. From there, create a shortlist of seemingly promising opportunities across different government levels. Rank the most relevant ones and reach out to get a clearer sense of your eligibility. It’s a small but essential investment to really understand where your chances lie.
Staying up to date
The subsidy landscape is always changing. Deadlines move, budgets change, new grants are published, and requirements get updated. Make it a habit to revisit your shortlist regularly, and use dedicated newsletters, RSS feeds, or tools like ChatGPT to make the process easier and stay on top of new opportunities.
3. AI-Powered Subsidy Scan Tools
Specialised AI tools like Subsidies.io can offer continuous monitoring and can process vast amounts of data quickly. They're transforming how to stay up to date with subsidies through automated scanning and matching of your company and project information. By using self-learning algorithms, these tools incorporate user feedback to improve the accuracy of your results over time.
Maximizing AI Tool Benefits
Configure your AI scan to match your specific business profile and objectives. Make sure to search broadly across different project types and themes such as innovation, R&D, and education. Periodically refine your search parameters to keep the results relevant.
Combining AI with Expert Input
The real power of specialised AI tools come when they combine automated scanning with human expertise. Well-designed AI tools have built in ‘human-in-the-loop’ features, so you can quickly discuss your eligibility when new opportunities arise. Discuss your scan results with an expert and check-in with them when new matches appear.
How to Stay Up to Date with Subsidies in 2025
Subscribe to newsletters, join industry groups, and leverage your subsidy scan tool's notification features. It will send you updates right to your inbox and you will always have an expert close to discuss eligibility.
Creating Your Monitoring System
Implement a quick review process to evaluate opportunities regularly and document your findings.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Consider your growth stage, available resources, and funding objectives when selecting your approach. Many successful companies use a hybrid model, combining different methods as they scale.
Ready to discover funding for your business? Try our free subsidy scan and instantly see which opportunities match your profile. With AI speed and expert validation, you’ll never miss out on money that’s waiting for you.