Business Grants | Grants For New Business Start-Ups Cobham

Cobham Business Grants

One of the most regular questions that we are asked is "what grants are available for new business start-ups?" and the truthful answer is that there are not as many as you would think.

However, as a grant does not need to be paid back, it is well worth spending a little bit of time to find out whether there is anything that you can claim.

As you will discover, the business grants that do exist generally come with certain conditions. These will not be interest rates or repayment schedules but are far more likely to be related to what type of business you are starting, where you are going to be located and whether you are going to create any new jobs.

How to find and apply for a grant

Before you begin searching for grants, clearly define your business's needs. Are you looking to launch a new product, expand operations, conduct research, or foster innovation? Different grants cater to various business aspects, so pinpoint your requirements to narrow down your search.

Starting or expanding a business often requires a substantial financial investment. While traditional methods of funding like loans and personal savings remain popular options, another avenue worth exploring is business grants.

Where to look

Business grants, where available, are funds provided by various organisations, including government agencies, private foundations, and corporations, to support entrepreneurs and businesses but don't forget that they are also designed to help them achieve their own objectives. A list of places to look can be found lower down the page.

How to win a grant

Thoroughly Read the Guidelines:: Each grant will have specific guidelines and eligibility criteria. Carefully read through these requirements and ensure your business qualifies before investing time in the application.
Prepare Required Documents:: Gather all necessary documents before starting the application process. Common requirements include a business plan, financial projections, details of key team members, and a clear description of how the grant will be used.
Craft a Compelling Narrative:: Your application should tell a compelling story about your business and its potential impact. Clearly communicate your business's mission, objectives, and how the grant will add value.
Demonstrate Alignment:: Showcase how your business aligns with the goals and objectives of the grant provider. Highlight the ways in which your venture contributes to economic development, job creation, or innovation.
Financial Clarity:: Provide a transparent and realistic budget detailing how you intend to utilise the grant funds. Demonstrating a clear financial plan increases your credibility and chances of approval.
Attention to Detail:: Pay close attention to formatting, grammar, and presentation. A well-organised and error-free application reflects your professionalism and dedication.
Letters of Support:: Obtain letters of support from industry experts, partners, or customers. These letters can bolster your application by providing third-party validation of your business's potential
Submit Early:: Don't wait until the last minute to submit your application. Technical glitches or unforeseen circumstances can arise. Submitting early gives you time to address any issues that might arise.

Applying for business grants is a competitive process, and rejection is a possibility. However, don't be discouraged by setbacks. Use any feedback you receive to improve future applications. Persistence and refinement are key to eventually securing the funding your business needs.

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Cobham

Sources of Help Finding Grants

The Gov.uk website

The Gov.uk website has a section dedicated to finance and support for your business. It helps you locate government-backed support and finance for business, including: grants, finance and loans, business support eg mentoring, consultancy, funding for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups. You can customise your search by location, size and activity.

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Your Local Authority

Your Local Authority has a vested interest inencouraging new businesses to be formed in the area. Not only is it good for the economy generally, you may be creating new jobs, and/oroccupying commercial property which will generate more income for them.Local Authority grants tend to be quite modest and often about £250-£500. You can find details of you local councils by using this Govenment search tool.

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Local Enterprise Partnership

Your Local Enterprise Partnership. Local enterprise partnerships are partnerships between local authorities and businesses.They decide what the priorities should be for investment in roads, buildings and facilities in the area. So far 39 local enterprise partnerships have been created. Look here for the full list and map of local enterprise partnerships.

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National Enterprise Network

Your Local Enterprise Agency. The National Enterprise Network is a unique membership body representing business support organisations in the UK. Their local help finder will point you in the direction of an agency near you who may well be able to tell you whatgrants are available in the area.

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Prince's Trust Enterprise

The Princes Trust can offer start up business finance if you decide to start up in business through our Enterprise programme. They can provide low interest loans of up to £4,000 for a sole trader and £5000 for a partnership - some people may be eligiblefor business grants too.

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GRANTfinder

GRANTfinder is a grants and policy database and includes details in excess of 8,000 funding opportunities. Services include access to: a flexibly searchable database; Newsflash service; deadlines listing; and Research Help Desk. What's more, and information is continuously updated.

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Start Up Donut

Start Up Donut website contains a comprehensive briefing which will give you a good idea of whether your start-up business is likely to be eligible for a grant - and whether such a grant is worth the effort involved in applying.

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Fund Map

Navigate your way to find grants or funding available to businesses in the UK.

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UK Business Funding Centre

UK Business Funding Centre have a Funding Finder engine to explore funding schemes for your UK small business.

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Smallbusiness.co.uk

SmallBusiness.co.uk contains articles and advice on how UK small businesses can get a government grant, along with helpful guides on the different types of business grants available to business owners starting and running a business.

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Free Funding Report

If you need to raise some money for your new or existing business and would like to know what options are open to you (without any obligation), please complete and submit this simple form.

Request our FREE report which explains all of these 'new' funding choices in simple English.

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Cobham Grants

How to find government grants

HM Government's site gov.uk contains a section dedicated to the finding of grants. This allows you to view a list of government grants that are currently available and a step-by-step process helps to narrow the options down to the grants that best suit you and your business.

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Elmbridge digital high street boost

The Elmbridge digital high street boost offers grants to help independent high street retailers establish or upgrade e-commerce websites. You can apply for a grant of up to 50% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 1,500. Eligibility The funding is available to independent high street retailers located within the defined primary or secondary frontage of our town centres and high streets. Special consideration can also be given to in town applications from independent retailers with shop frontage not in primary or secondary locations. This will be at the discretion of the board.

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Elmbridge business boost grants

The business boost grants can help your business with: * up to £2,000 available in grant support to help businesses improve their shop fronts or signage * up to £2,000 available in grant support to help bring a shop that has been empty for at least three months back into commercial use * up to £1,000 to help town or village wide projects to drive new footfall, investment, streetscene improvements or sustainability. All applications require at least 50% match funding and two quotes for each element. Town and village centre independents can also apply for support to help sell online with our digital high street boost and small and medium sized business can get help to invest in energy efficiency projects with our green business boost.

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Elmbridge start-up boost

The Elmbridge start-up boost helps start-ups with one off costs such as one-off marketing, purchasing of equipment or anything that would help a business to start operating in Elmbridge.You can apply for a grant of up to 50% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 1,000. Applicants are expected to fund at least 50% of each item as part of the project costs.The fund is only available to businesses that are looking to set up within Elmbridge, are not taking over an existing business or have set up in Elmbridge within the last 6 months.

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Elmbridge green business boost

The Elmbridge green business boost supports local businesses with becoming more sustainable. High street independents, as well as small and medium enterprises across Elmbridge, can now benefit from new green business boost funding to help them become more sustainable by reducing their carbon emissions. In support of thriving high streets and sustainable businesses in Elmbridge, the green business boost is the latest addition to our business boost support grants. Grants can be used to help fund investment in energy saving products such as LED lighting, new energy efficient equipment or renewables to help small businesses in the borough save money and reduce energy consumption. You can apply for a grant of up to 5,000 with funding available on the following basis: - the first 1,000 of any project has no match funding required - anything above 1,000 up to 5,000 requires a 50% match from the applicant

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Community Investment Fund

The Community Enterprise Fund (CEF) supports community organisations in England and Wales with funding packages of blended loan and grant fund of up to 25k. The emphasis of the fund is impact in the community. You must have been trading for at least one year and operate for the good of your local community. this is part funded by the ASADA Foundation. For more information visit the SIB website or contact loans@sibgroup.org.uk.

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