Business grants in Wales - Small Business UK - L&D Nexus Business Magazine

What business grants are available in Wales?

Wales is a beautiful nation with inspiring scenery, wonderful hospitality and leisure activities and a proud industrial heritage. But beyond the picture-postcard Wales are regions of economic deprivation, which the Welsh government and local authorities are keen to address.

Offering business grants to companies in Wales is one way to encourage start-ups and the self-employed to promote economic activity and stimulate employment.

Whether you’re situated in dramatic Snowdonia, urban Swansea, or anywhere in-between, if you already run a small business in Wales – or are looking to start one – then you could be eligible for a range of grants.

>See also: Business grants for women

Are there any business grants in Wales?

Yes, there are plenty of business grants in Wales.

A grant is a sum of money given to an individual or business for a specific business project or purpose.

Business grants in Wales usually cover only part of the total costs involved.

Grants may be linked to business activity, employment creation or a specific industry sector. Some grants are linked to geographic areas, e.g., those in need of economic regeneration.

Grants are either available only in specific regions of Wales or are available across the entire country.

Blaenau Gwent – Kick Start Plus

What is it: The grant is aimed at supporting new businesses from six months up to three years old to develop and expand. How much: Up to £2,500 to cover up to 50 per cent of costs. Who can apply: Help for those who are in the early stages of start-ups in the Blaenau Gwent area. How to apply: More details about the Blaenau Gwent Kick Start Plus can be found here.

Bridgend – Business Start Up Fund

What is it: This is a flexible grant scheme delivered through a partnership with UK Steel Enterprise and Bridgend County Borough Council.It provides financial assistance to new or existing micro-businesses that are located, or are planning to locate, in Bridgend County Borough.A micro-business is one which has fewer than ten employees and a turnover or balance sheet total of less than £2 million.

Eligible costs could include:Capital equipmentComputer equipmentDevelopment of websitesBuilding works to business premises

Only a maximum of five items per application will be considered.

How much: The minimum grant is £250 and the maximum grant available is £4,000 so the maximum project cost is £8,000 (excluding VAT).

The grant can provide up to 50 per cent of eligible projects costs. Who can apply: New start-ups and businesses within the first three years of trading may be considered.

The business must be located within Bridgend County Borough. How to apply: Find out more information athttps://www.bridgend.gov.uk/business/business-funding-and-grants/business-support-grants/business-start-up-fund/

Bridgend Strategic Regeneration Grants

What is it: Current grants support commercial property improvements that will regenerate and improve:– Town centres (Bridgend, Porthcawl and Maesteg)– District centres (Aberkenfig, Kenfig Hill, Ogmore Vale, Pencoed, Pontycymmer and Pyle)– Local service centres of the Garw, Llynfi and Ogmore Valleys (Bettws North, Bettws -South, Blackmill, Blaengarw, Caerau, Nantymoel and Pontrhydycyff)

How much: Varying levels Who can apply: Businesses in Bridgend How to apply: Find out more information at Bridgend’s council website

Cardiff Academic-Industry Partnerships

What is it: The Academic-Industry Partnerships programme is jointly funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Cardiff Capital Region (CCR).The programme is delivered in partnership between University of South Wales, Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

The programme aims to bring together industry and academia to identify innovative solutions to enterprise challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Key outcomes of the programme will include:– Enterprises adopting new or improved products or services, or new to firm technologies and processes– Improved quality of operations, increased sales and access to new markets, and increased profitability How much: Participating businesses will be supported with up to £14,000 of funding.

The programme has capacity to support 25 businesses.

The programme requires 10 per cent match funding from micro or small enterprises and 25 per cent match funding from medium and large enterprises. Who can apply: Applications will be accepted from businesses operating within Cardiff Capital Region and aligned with the following priority sectors:– MedTech– Cyber security– Creative industries– Compound semiconductor– FinTech

The programme will partner successful businesses with the relevant academic research institutions, in order to equip them with the knowledge and expertise to enable viable projects that deliver both business growth and economic impact for the region.

How to apply: Support may be accessed at any time.The online Expression of Interest form can be found on the University of South Wales website.

Cardiff – Knowledge Transfer Partnership

What is it? A Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a grant to help you develop an innovative idea if you do not have enough in-house expertise to do so. The cost of a KTP is comparable to employing a well-qualified graduate in your company, with Innovate UK covering two thirds of the cost.

How much? Project development costs can vary but can typically will be around £80,000 to £100,000 for each year of development. For small and medium-sized enterprises the grant rate is 67 per cent of the project cost; for large companies 50 per cent.

How to apply: Find out more about the eligibility criteria for KTP here

Caerphilly Business Start-Up Grant

What is it: This business development grant is to help companies to start up a business for the first time. Business start-ups in all business sectors may be considered. How much? Up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of £500.

Eligible costs could include:

– Capital equipment– ICT equipment– Development of websites– Marketing– Building works to business premises– Training Who can apply: The applicant must be setting up the business in the Caerphilly County Borough. How to apply: The applicant must provide a business plan with a minimum of one-year cash flow forecast and projected profit and loss. Two comparable quotes are also required for each capital item required. The business must provide full time employment for the applicant (min. 30 hours).

At least one of the owners or directors must be employed full time in the business.

Contact Business Enterprise Renewal Team for further information.

Carmarthenshire – The Refreshing Town Centre Property Fund

What is it: The fund is focused external improvements to the facades of buildings to improve the visual landscape in the town centres. How much: The minimum fund awarded £500 whilst the maximum will be £2,000 with an intervention rate of 80 per cent per property. Who can apply: The funding will be made available to owners/leaseholders. If the property is owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, correspondence must take place with CCC Property Department prior to the application process CPSales@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

How to apply: Please contact Towns@carmarthenshire.gov.uk for an application form.

Ceredigion & Powys – Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant

What is it? Ceredigion County Council has secured funding alongside Powys County Council from the Welsh Governments’ Transforming Towns Programme to help support capital investment to regenerate a number of our towns across Mid Wales. The Transforming Towns Place Making Grant offers support for a wide range of projects, from green infrastructure developments to internal and external commercial and residential improvements for business owners.

How much? Up to £250,000 per project

Who can apply: The scheme is open to private businesses, including developers, third sector businesses, and the public sector. It is not available to private individuals.

How to apply: Applicants can discuss potential projects with their local project officer who can advise whether the project could be eligible and help with the expression of interest process.

The Access Broadband Cymru Grant Scheme

What is it? The Access Broadband Cymru Grant Scheme (ABC) provides grant funding to support the installation of a broadband solution to any premises within Wales that is unable to achieve a connection via any other means. Any solution can be chosen provided the average download speeds achieved post installation meets a minimum of 30mbps (megabits per second). How much: Funding of up to £800 per premises is available. Funding is split between:

– Equipment: £550– Installation Costs: £250

Who can apply: The scheme is open to premises provided they meet all the following criteria:– Is within the geographical boundary of Wales– Is not able to achieve a connection of a minimum of 30mbps download speeds via any provider – Has not previously received any public funding from any other UK public sector broadband intervention – Has not received funding from the ABC Scheme within the past 48 months (including the paused scheme) regardless of speeds achieved during this timeframe– Has a unique premises reference number (UPRN

How to apply: For further information, contact the Cyngor Gwynedd Business Support Service (you’ll need to have an online account to apply).

Denbighshire – Commercial Property Development Grant

What is it: The Denbighshire Commercial Property Development Grant is open to commercial properties based in one of the eight principal town and city centres in the county that have proposed project(s) to develop and upgrade their property and the Town Centre. Properties must be within the town or city centre boundaries of one of the following:

– Corwen– Denbigh– Llangollen– Prestatyn– Rhuddlan– Rhyl– Ruthin– St Asaph

The project must fit into the following criteria:– Individual Project grant awards will be limited to £50k per application with a minimum of £5,000– There will be a 30 per cent match funding requirement from the applicant– The fund is available to the freehold owners of the property, or occupiers who hold a lease with seven years or more remaining at date of application, and who have secured their landlord’s written consent to the proposed works How much: Grants between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to improve or develop a commercial property. Who can apply: Applications are accepted from businesses based in Denbighshire.

How to apply: Find out more information here.

Flintshire – Tourism Growth Fund

What is it: The project aim is aligned to the UKSPF aims to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, with focus on supporting micro and small enterprises within Flintshire.

The objectives are:– Creating jobs and boosting community cohesion, through investments that build on existing industries and institutions, and range from support for starting businesses to visible improvements to local tourism, and the visitor sector.– Increasing private sector investment in growth-enhancing activities, through targeted support for micro and small businesses to undertake new-to-firm innovation, adopt productivity-enhancing, energy efficient and low carbon technologies and techniques; improve the visitor experience; and target new markets. How much: Grants of 70 per cent grant, up to a maximum of £17,500 (total project value £25,000) towards costs relating to the introduction of new products, new processes and carbon reducing technologies; improving the visitor experience; and targeting new markets. There will be a minimum project spend of £4,000 (£2,800 grant, £1,200 cash match funding). Who can apply: The Flintshire Tourism Growth Fund will directly support micro and small tourism enterprises in Flintshire. Existing micro, small and medium businesses, new business start-ups within the tourism and visitor economy sectors in Flintshire will be eligible to apply. How to apply: Before completing an application, please contact: Donna Hughes on 01490 340500 / 07833 084352. Once you have read the guidance, please complete an online application via this link.

Gwynedd – Accreditations Grant Scheme

What is it: Cyngor Gwynedd is keen to assist small and medium sized businesses located in Gwynedd to achieve accreditations which set recognised specifications for products, services and systems, to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. Examples are ISO accreditations such as ISO9001 which specifies requirements for a quality management system and ISO14001 which specifies requirements for an environmental management system.

How much: The grant scheme is available which contributes towards the costs of a consultant to work with businesses in order to achieve the necessary standard for certification. The cost of the actual certification is not included in the scheme. Who can apply: Small and medium-sized businesses located in Gwynedd. How to apply: If you’re interested in this scheme:Fill out the Expression of Interest Form / Word VersionReturn it by email: busnes@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Monmouthshire – Access Improvement Events Support Scheme

What is it: Grants of up to £5,000 are available to deliver activities and improve access at visitor related events in Monmouthshire. How much: Up to £5,000 Who can apply: Applicants looking to improve accessibility at visitor related events and event activities in Monmouthshire. How to apply: Fill in the form online here

Neath Port Talbot – Commercial Property Grant

What is it: The Commercial Property Grant (CPG) is available to owners of commercial premises that want to improve the appearance of their building. How much: The CPG is a discretionary grant that covers up to 50 per of eligible costs. Eligible work includes that which directly contributes to improving the external appearance of the building as visible to the public. Who can apply: Applicants must be the freeholder of the property or a tenant with a lease that has an unexpired term of at least five years from the date that the grant is anticipated to be paid out on. How to apply: For further information and grant guidelines, please contact Nicola Bulcraig on 01639 686683, or visit the website.

Neath Port Talbot Council Green Renewable Fund

What is it? This fund is to support capital investment in green technology

How much: Grants of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs or, a maximum of £25,000

Who can apply: Funding can support businesses operating within:– Manufacturing– Engineering/Fabrication– Construction– ICT– Renewable Energy sectors

Businesses operating in the following sectors are not eligible to apply:-Professional services such as accountants, solicitors, estate agents, insurance brokers, etc.– Banking-Education-Primary Healthcare e.g. GP Surgeries, physiotherapists, etc.– Supermarkets– Small operations with low power usage.– Storage yards and facilities– Businesses that are part of a franchise– National companies or those part of a larger chain– Sports clubs

Business premises must be registered on Neath Port Talbot Council’s Non Domestic Rates register and the applicant must either own the freehold, or secure your landlord’s written consent for the proposed works.

How to apply: Apply for your Green Renewable Fund here.

City of Newport Business Grants

What is it: The grant scheme offers 50 per cent of net costs up to £2,500 for eligible businesses outside the city centre, and up to £5,000 for those located within the city centre boundary.

The grant can be used for funding towards up to five equipment items, such as:

– Plant and equipment– ICT equipment and software– Website development

This grant cannot be used towards:

– Salaries– Property refurbishment– Purchase of vehicles– Stock– Marketing and signage– Training and licences– Leased equipment How to apply: To make an initial enquiry about applying for funding you will need to sign into your My Newport account or register and provide information on your business activity and planned investment. This information will be used to determine your eligibility for the funding support.

What is it: Support for businesses to recruit someone who has recently been made redundant to cover some of the costs of their wages. How much: Up to £4,000 in quarterly instalments for the first 12 months. Who can apply: The person you wish to recruit must be aged 20 or over, disabled and either: – Be under formal Notice of Redundancy or be within six months of the date of redundancy or– An ex-offender or an offender who is serving their sentence in the community How to apply: You can apply for an employer’s grant to recruit somebody out of work here.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Growth Grant

What is it: The aim of the BGG is to support sustainable local business to set up, grow and diversify, contributing to creating a vibrant and strong local economy.

You can use it on capital expenditure, such as:– Capital equipment, plant or machinery– Internal renovation works for commercial properties– Energy efficiency / carbon reduction measures– New website development

Revenue costs are not eligible as part of this grant.

How much:

Enterprises based in commercial premisesMinimum grant: £2,000Maximum grant: £15,000

Enterprises based in residential premises:Minimum grant: £1,000Maximum grant: £2,000

Maximum of 75 per cent contribution towards eligible project costs (excluding VAT). Who can apply:

– Operate within the County Borough area of Rhondda Cynon Taf and be classed as a start-up or existing business (both private and social enterprise)– Be a Full time Small and Medium Size Enterprise (SME) with fewer than 250 employees– Have either an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or an annual balance sheet not exceeding €43 million– Pay either Council Tax or National Non Domestic Rates (including exemption) to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council How to apply: More information on the Business Growth Grant can be found here.

Swansea – Website Development Grant

What is it? This is a grant with the objective of adopting a new technology through online/website development. The grant can fund costs relating to the creation of a business website for the first time or enhancement to an existing site.

How much? The maximum grant available is £1,500. The grant will require applicants to provide 50 per cent of costs in match funding. 

Who can apply: All applicants will be required to provide a business plan/summary and a 12-month cashflow forecast.

How to apply: For further details and to request an application form, please email growthgrant@swansea.gov.uk.

Swansea – Supplier Development Grant

What is it: This is a grant with the objective of providing a new service upon undertaking training to gain a sector recognised accreditation. How much: The maximum grant available is £1,000. The grant will require applicants to provide 50 per cent of costs in match funding. All applicants will be required to provide a business summary and 12-month cashflow forecast.

Who can apply: This will aid businesses in Swansea wishing to bid for public sector and/or larger scale contracts. How to apply: For further details and to request an application form, please email developmentgrant@swansea.gov.uk.

Swansea – Carbon Reduction Grant

What is it: This is a grant with the objective of enabling businesses in Swansea to work towards net zero carbon. The grant can fund costs including renewable energy generation, energy conservation measures and changes to manufacturing processes which result in carbon reduction; applicants must be able to calculate their forecast carbon savings. How much: The maximum grant available is £10,000, with 50 per cent match funding. Who can apply: Established business in Swansea. All applicants will be required to provide a business plan/summary and 12-month cash flow forecast. How to apply: Email growthgrant@swansea.gov.uk

Swansea – Placemaking Grants

What is it? The focus of the programme is sustainable growth of towns and cities, and their transformation into places of living, working, learning and leisure.

How to apply: For more details click on the link in the sub-heading above or contact the Business Support team at Swansea council here.

A complete list of Scottish business grants – Here, we provide information on the Scottish business grants that could help your company grow and flourish

150 UK small business grants to apply for right now – UPDATED – In need of some funding for your small business? These grants should give you a boost, wherever you’re based in the UK.

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