Grants and Funding
There are a range of grants and funding streams available
that can assist with the financial implications of starting up a
business, growing a business idea, financial help for existing
businesses and funding for research and development
work; these include:
Research and Development Grant
If your business is looking for financial assistance to carry
out research and development work on technologically innovative
products and processes you could be eligible for a Research and
Development Grant between £5000 and £500,000 from the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
There are four types of project that are eligible for the
grant
- Micro Project
- Research Project
- Development Project
- Exceptional Development Project
For more information on these projects and to find out if your
business is eligible for a grant please email Locate in Kent, call 01732
520700 or for more information on the grant conditions visit the
Locate in Kent Research and Development
Information page.
Capitlise Business Support
If you are finding it difficult to raise finance through a Bank
or Building Society then Capitalise Business
Support might be able to help.
Am I eligible?
If you can answer yes to the following then you are eligible to
apply:
- Are you at least 18 years of age?
- Will your business be located in Sussex, Kent or Surrey?
- Have you been declined finance from a mainstream lender?
What loans are available?
Capitalise offers flexible business loan facilities together
with on-going business advice and support:
What business support will I receive?
Capitalise Business Support will help you in the following
ways:
- Give you time and advice on how to refine and develop your
plans.
- Guide you through the loan application process.
- Give you the opportunity to attend a range of start-up
workshops and business training (there may be additional charges
for this).
- Provide you a free business mentor to give ongoing business
support to help grow your business.
For more information visit the Capitalise Business
Support website or call 0845 601 8326
Energy Grant 500
This scheme is aimed at improving energy
efficiency in businesses. Its benefits include:
- Reducing energy costs
- Encouraging staff involvement in energy
retention
- Support for projects costing over £500
This grant is worth £500 and businesses who
have an annual energy spend of between £1,500 and £30,000 are
eligible to apply. Companies must be based in the South East of
England.
If the business is eligible for the grant they
will be provided with an energy meter to measure energy consumption
before and after the energy efficiency project. Once the necessary
documentation has been completed a cheque will be sent to the
business.
For more information on the Energy 500 Grant
visit the
Business Link website
or call 0845 600 9006
The Prince’s Trust
If you are between 18 and 30 years of age with a business
start-up idea, you could benefit from support from The Prince’s
Trust including:
- a low interest loan of up to £4,000 for a sole trader, or up to
£5,000 for a partnership (the average loan is between £2,000 and
£3,000 but varies regionally)
- a grant of up to £1,500 in special circumstances (subject to
local availability)
- a test marketing grant of up to £250 (subject to local
availability)
- ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor
- access to a wide range of products and services. Includes our
free Legal Helpline sponsored by Barclays.
The Prince’s Trust can help you turn your dream into
reality.
Call 0800 842842 or visit The Princes Trust website
If you have any queries on the grants and funding avalibale or
would more information email the Economic Development
Department or call 01233 330310.
This webpage was updated on
11/17/2011