Submit Applications for Business Start-Up, Growth and Training Grants Programme (UK)

Types of Grants

• Business Start-Up, Growth & Training Grants
  • Training Grants
    • These are available to businesses seeking to provide relevant courses for their employees and can clearly demonstrate a linkage to business growth and development.
  • Business Start-Up Grants
    • These are available to anyone who can demonstrate both the potential and desire to grow their business and create employment. They are not available to lifestyle businesses unless they offer something unique to the area, which would benefit the area.
  • Business Growth Grants
    • These are available to any existing business which can demonstrate that the grant would result in the creation (not just retention) of new jobs.

Funding Information

• Grants from £2k – £5k are currently available to support business start-ups, those with growth plans, training needs and some apprenticeships.

Excluded Sectors/Business Activities

• Alcohol
• Activities having a detrimental impact on the environment
• Financial Services
• Gambling
• Morally or Ethically controversial activities
• Primary Agriculture (including forestry)
• Property Development
• Weapons

Eligibility Criteria 

• Applicant must be a small to medium SME i.e. sole trader, partnership or limited company. For avoidance of doubt the Fund will not support very small lifestyle/hobby businesses with no scalability and suggest these applications be directed to Business Gateway.
• Based in the Caithness and North Sutherland area (defined as the Dounreay Travel to Work Area).
• Looking to:
  • Start a new business (and which in the Fund’s view does not significantly displace another business).
  • Developing an existing business i.e. through training, growth plans or employing an apprentice or graduate.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial viability
• Applications will not be considered for capital equipment such as com
• puter/printers unless they demonstrate growth or additionality.

Application Requirements

• A Business Plan and financial information is required otherwise your application will be rejected.
• This should include:
  • Brief description and history of the business where applicable.
  • Description of products/services, applications, significant product advantages, features of current technology, proposed future developments.
  • Description of markets (type, size, share), major customers, competitors, marketing (strategy to retain customers and attract new ones – including aspects of product/service, delivery and promotion).
  • Description of resources: background and skills of key personnel, details of employees, operations and equipment/machinery, premises.
  • Description of project for which funding is sought and reasons for the project (may include a SWOT analysis – see your advisor).
• Financial information required:
  • Start Up Businesses
    • Two years projected Cashflow Forecasts, Profit & Loss Forecasts and Balance Sheet Forecasts. If the business has a short trading record then Management Accounts should be made for this period.
  • Existing Business
    • Two years historic accounts to the latest year end.
    • Management Accounts from the latest year end to date of application (if available).
    • Two years Cashflow Forecast demonstrating the effect of the project in question.

For more information, visit Caithness Business Fund.