O/T Grants for business
Discussion
Hi everyone
With such a diverse multitude present on Pistonheads(some might describe us as perverse) I thought I'd ask for your thoughts on Grants for business and other avenues of money (frankly) with which to help start a business (in September 2004).
I want to move to West Wales and set up a firm/company there. With the plans at the 'I'm just starting to really give it some major thought' stage I thought I'd ask you for your ideas on whom I should contact with the possibility of providing grants (ie money that doesn't need to be paid back!)
I will have approx 40K to sink into the project out of my own pocket but I think I'll need approx 125- 150 all in.
Hopefully this might help many of us on here whom no doubt will possibly think about starting up their own business in the future, so although it's a selfish topic hopefully it will not be bninned as it could provide useful info for more of us than just me.
With such a diverse multitude present on Pistonheads(some might describe us as perverse) I thought I'd ask for your thoughts on Grants for business and other avenues of money (frankly) with which to help start a business (in September 2004).
I want to move to West Wales and set up a firm/company there. With the plans at the 'I'm just starting to really give it some major thought' stage I thought I'd ask you for your ideas on whom I should contact with the possibility of providing grants (ie money that doesn't need to be paid back!)
I will have approx 40K to sink into the project out of my own pocket but I think I'll need approx 125- 150 all in.
Hopefully this might help many of us on here whom no doubt will possibly think about starting up their own business in the future, so although it's a selfish topic hopefully it will not be bninned as it could provide useful info for more of us than just me.
If you know where you are setting up then check with the local Enterprise council for any grants. Th local council website should also have some information. I found a couple of other websites a few months ago and will try and dig them out.
These are probably two good ones to start
www.ukbi.co.uk/cgi-bin/cat.pl
[url]
www.wda.co.uk/en/wda_home/index.cfm|www.wda.co.uk/en/wda_home/index.cfm[/url]
Otherwise just to an internet search on business grants/develpment.
Hope this helps
>> Edited by bugmeister to found these as well and should keep you busy
www.businessconnect.org.uk
www.businessvision.co.uk
>> Edited by bugmeister on Tuesday 7th January 15:52
These are probably two good ones to start
www.ukbi.co.uk/cgi-bin/cat.pl
[url]
www.wda.co.uk/en/wda_home/index.cfm|www.wda.co.uk/en/wda_home/index.cfm[/url]
Otherwise just to an internet search on business grants/develpment.
Hope this helps
>> Edited by bugmeister to found these as well and should keep you busy
www.businessconnect.org.uk
www.businessvision.co.uk
>> Edited by bugmeister on Tuesday 7th January 15:52
You're right to be thinking about this now if you hope to start Sept 04, it can take a long time to get these things set up. I know a lot of agencies work on a basis of 'we'll match what other agencies are granting' and that can take a lot of toing and froing to sort out.
I'm sure you will already know that the number of people you intend to employ can be crucial in qualifying for much of the grant money that is available
What you going to do? (If that's not commercially sensitive info BTW)
John
I'm sure you will already know that the number of people you intend to employ can be crucial in qualifying for much of the grant money that is available
What you going to do? (If that's not commercially sensitive info BTW)
John
Johnelliot - I didn't know that actually so thanks - is that based on your start up 'employed basis' or your future maximum employed basis as far as dictating grant size do you know?
As far as projects are concerned I'm assessing 2 at the moment. The first concerns a driving range, the second a launderette (cash generator extraordinaire) and the third, something family orientated for when it rains (undercover) - I don't really want to say anymore than that right now simply because the amounts needed might make it a no go. When I was there over Xmas with a couple of families there was very little to actually do with the family and kids if it was raining.
The launderette is a cash generator to build up funds for other projects. (A family friend set one up in Liverpool and it was so good he set up another 4).
As far as projects are concerned I'm assessing 2 at the moment. The first concerns a driving range, the second a launderette (cash generator extraordinaire) and the third, something family orientated for when it rains (undercover) - I don't really want to say anymore than that right now simply because the amounts needed might make it a no go. When I was there over Xmas with a couple of families there was very little to actually do with the family and kids if it was raining.
The launderette is a cash generator to build up funds for other projects. (A family friend set one up in Liverpool and it was so good he set up another 4).
Local Enterprise agencies have a variety of grants they can dosh out, the local Chamber of Commerce is also a good starting point, and they sometimes have alternative grants - or they can point you to the right areas in the local Enterprise body. A good contact can smooth the beaurocratic path considerably.
Check out SMART awards, SCIS (Small Company Innovation Support) etc.
(Disclaimer - the above are options for us - Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Enterprise - but Wales should have similar, depending on your business sector).
Depending on your business plan, you can also get DTI backed loans (Small Firms Loan Guarrantee Scheme) which you do have to repay, but you may get a repayment holiday for 15 months or so.
HTH.
Check out SMART awards, SCIS (Small Company Innovation Support) etc.
(Disclaimer - the above are options for us - Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Enterprise - but Wales should have similar, depending on your business sector).
Depending on your business plan, you can also get DTI backed loans (Small Firms Loan Guarrantee Scheme) which you do have to repay, but you may get a repayment holiday for 15 months or so.
HTH.
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