Submit Applications for Harlow Digital Boost Grants Programme (Phase 2) – UK

The funding will support local businesses to adopt digital solutions that will:

• develop or upgrade their digital presence to maximise their digital reach to potential customers
• maximise sales and lay the foundation for long term resilience
• take steps to understand and protect against cyber security threats
• increase productivity and efficiency through the introduction of automated systems including AI and machine learning solutions

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for any sum between £100 – £2,500 and any grant will need to be at least 50% match funded by your business.
• Businesses can only make one application for this grant.
• Businesses cannot reapply if they have already benefited from phase 1.
• The grants will be paid in arrears. The business will be required to pay the supplier for the full cost of the project and Harlow Council will reimburse the business the agreed grant value upon receipt of the invoice/s. Applicants must therefore ensure that funds are in place to cover the full cost of the project prior to submitting their application.

Uses of the Funds

• Businesses can apply for a grant to fund:
  • A new business website or an upgrade to an existing website
  • Website maintenance up to 1 yr
  • Online booking system
  • E-commerce platform
  • Creation or updating a mobile app
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Software programmes to support the businesses productivity such as HR, accountancy, project management, streamline workflows and CRM systems
  • Digital solutions that support the business such as cloud computing, chatbots, Internet of Things or digital twins
  • Digital skills training courses such as training in programming skills, AI and machine learning, digital marketing and cyber security
  • Production of promotional videos to promote the business, product or service
• The grant will not fund:
  • Hardware or rental of equipment
  • Maintenance of existing digital technology
  • Domain name
  • Paid advertising e.g. Google Adwords, Facebook, X or other social and digital media platforms
  • Repaying existing loans or debts
  • Consultancy work
  • Retrospective work already completed or in progress prior to offer letter
  • Recurring revenue costs (including salaries, existing premises costs e.g., rent, utility charges etc)

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for a grant, businesses must meet the following criteria:
  • The business must not have previously received funding from the Harlow Digital Boost Grant programme.
  • The business must qualify as a Small or Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) and meet the qualifying criteria:
    • Have fewer than 250 employees
    • Annual turnover less than €50 million Euros (approximately £44.9 million), or balance sheet total less than 43 million Euros (approximately £38.6 million)
    • Not a registered charity
  • Eligible businesses can take the legal form of Sole Trader, Partnership, Limited Company or Social Enterprise/Community Interest Company (CIC)
  • The business must be based in the district of Harlow, Essex
  • The business must have a UK based bank account in the name of the business applying for the grant
  • The businesses must have been actively trading for at least one year at the time the application is made. Harlow Council reserves the right to make the final decision on a companies active status
  • The business cannot be in administration, insolvent or in a situation where a strike-off has been made
  • The business must have all up-to-date and relevant certificate(s) to show compliance with laws and regulations relevant to its trade (for example a food hygiene certificate, a licence to sell alcohol, permission to operate a pavement seating area, trading authority)
  • The grant cannot fund projects retrospectively or works already in progress. Therefore, the businesses must be able to cover the full project costs prior to the grant payment being received
  • If a business is expected to exceed the maximum permitted subsidy allowance, it is their responsibility to inform Harlow Council at the time of application.

For more information, visit Harlow Business.