Applications Open: Stevenage Business Start-up Grant (UK)

The Stevenage Business Start-up Grant Scheme is part of the ongoing support from the council to encourage the creation of sustainable new businesses, stimulate entrepreneurship and enterprise activities, encourage innovation, and create new jobs in Stevenage. The grant complements the existing advice, support, and guidance available for businesses from the council owned Business Technology Centre (btc) in Stevenage.

Funding Information

• Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help small businesses with start-up costs, enabling them to develop, grow, expand, and or create new employment in the district.
• Eligible businesses will be able to apply for a one off non-repayable grant of between £500 and £2,000 to cover the eligible costs of getting their business firmly off the ground. The amount of grant supported will depend on the stage of the business and project type.

Uses of the Funds

• Businesses must demonstrate that the grant funding support will help them:
  • to strengthen their market provision and expansion into new markets
  • to achieve both business and employment growth
  • support their vision to drive their business forward and scale up their activities
  • to achieve an improvement in organisational performance and demonstrate a number of positive impacts for their business and wider supply chains

Eligible Activities

• Eligible activities that can be funded by the Stevenage Business Grant include but are not restricted to:
  • Introduction of new products or services
  • Production of a new prototype
  • Product development
  • R&D
  • Expansion into a new market
  • Acquiring a new office/unit
  • Commercial Property improvements- subject to any planning consent required
  • Marketing and advertising activities
  • Investment in new equipment including IT specialist software/ hardware
  • Capital assets such as plant, equipment or machinery or tooling – the grant will not contribute towards costs associated with leased or rented equipment (vehicles, stock and consumables are excluded)
  • Website development and design
  • Brand development
  • Specialist research, consultancy, and training for upskilling existing staff
  • Purchase of office or technical equipment

Eligibility Criteria 

• To be eligible for the Stevenage Business Start-up Grant, you must be:
  • a small business with fewer than 50 employees within Stevenage.
  • a legal entity – private limited company.
  • based in Stevenage Borough Council local authority area.
  • a pre-start business who will register the business in the Stevenage local authority area within 30 days of the grant award if deemed successful.
  • a business who has been trading for up to 3 years.
  • a business with a turnover of less than £10.2 million or £5.1 million or less on its balance sheet.
  • paying business rates to Stevenage Borough Council (or qualifying from rate reliefs) if you are operating from commercial premises.
  • aiming to strengthen market provision and expanding into new markets
  • able to demonstrate both business and employment growth.
  • a business with planning/building control/licences or other consents approved and in place before the application is submitted.

Ineligibility Criteria 

• The following are not eligible to apply for this grant:
  • Businesses that are not based or trading in Stevenage District.
  • Businesses that have started or entered any form of administration or Insolvency process.
  • Businesses who possess undischarged bankrupts, subject to insolvency proceedings or an individual who has entered into an arrangement with his/her creditors (including a trust deed).
  • Businesses that have already received Public Subsidiary Grant payments that equal the maximum permitted subsidy allowances.
  • Medium or large businesses.
  • GPs, dentists, opticians, schools, colleges, and similar.
  • Private domestic landlord businesses, guest houses, care homes and similar.
  • Property Managing Companies.
  • Property Management Agents.
  • Businesses operating from multiple locations.
  • Applicants who are taking over an existing business.

Application Requirements

• Complete the online application form
• Confirm that they:
  • have funds available if the total cost of the works exceeds the grant award
  • are the freeholder or leaseholder (and/or have written consent from the landlord if they plan to carry out any works to leasehold premises)
  • have Planning/building control/licences or other consents approved and in place before the application is submitted.
  • Taken advice and support from Wenta’s Get Enterprising Programme or the Herts Growth Hub Business Advice Support Team to support their idea or plans
• Confirm that they have submitted the supporting Evidence requirements as part of their application including:
  • Proof of Business trading address
  • Business Accounts – a copy of the most recent set of audited accounts if applicable
  • Quotes for from at least two contractors or suppliers for proposed works or purchases of equipment or services
  • A business plan or proposal including a 24-month financial forecast.

For more information, visit Stevenage Borough Council.