Grants or simliar

[woodytvr]

My Brother in Law started a mobile phone business in September and it's going really well, he has now taken on about 7 staff. To start with they didn't really need any IT equipment other than his laptop for emailing but he has now got direct access into his suppliers system via the internet so wants to get a couple of PCs for the office.

I seem to recall seeing something a few years ago which was a Government scheme providing funding for IT kit (had to be below a certain T/O so was of no use to me at the time). Is anyone aware of such a thing.

Thanks in advance.

[Eric Mc]

I don't think the government were handing out cash or free finance for such equipment. At one stage the Chancellor was allowinga 100% Capital Allowance claim on IT equipment purchases. This tax relief has now been removed.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

His local Business Link, or whatever they're called these days, can advise on grant availability.

[insurance_jon]

Check your local council. ours gave us 20k year before last to meet up to 50% of our it needs.

[woodytvr]

Thanks guys, I'll tel him to speak to business link

[flyingjase]

insurance_jon said:

Check your local council. ours gave us 20k year before last to meet up to 50% of our it needs.

Any chance of some more info on this one Jon?? Is this a local council initiative or driven by central government? What is the rationale behind it?

I'm a small new business that is looking to double in size (and IT) this year and every penny will count

Thanks

Jason

[plasticpig]

woodytvr said:

My Brother in Law started a mobile phone business in September and it's going really well, he has now taken on about 7 staff. To start with they didn't really need any IT equipment other than his laptop for emailing but he has now got direct access into his suppliers system via the internet so wants to get a couple of PCs for the office. I seem to recall seeing something a few years ago which was a Government scheme providing funding for IT kit (had to be below a certain T/O so was of no use to me at the time). Is anyone aware of such a thing. Thanks in advance.

I dont quite understand why he would need a grant for a couple of PC's? You can easily get two refurbed Dells with 17" TFT's for £500. You dont need state of the art for general business use.

[insurance_jon]

It was a EEC initiative called FIRST. New round of funding begins in april.

also i've used this before

www.j4bgrants.co.uk

[woodytvr]

plasticpig said:

woodytvr said: My Brother in Law started a mobile phone business in September and it's going really well, he has now taken on about 7 staff. To start with they didn't really need any IT equipment other than his laptop for emailing but he has now got direct access into his suppliers system via the internet so wants to get a couple of PCs for the office. I seem to recall seeing something a few years ago which was a Government scheme providing funding for IT kit (had to be below a certain T/O so was of no use to me at the time). Is anyone aware of such a thing. Thanks in advance. I dont quite understand why he would need a grant for a couple of PC's? You can easily get two refurbed Dells with 17" TFT's for £500. You dont need state of the art for general business use.

So you'd turn down free money when you were just starting up a business? There's a lot of 'just' £500 required.

[plasticpig]

woodytvr said:

So you'd turn down free money when you were just starting up a business? There's a lot of 'just' £500 required.

Have you seen an EU grant form? I would spend more than £500 of my time filling the thing in. There is no such thing as free money. Somewhere someone is paying for it.

[woodytvr]

plasticpig said:

woodytvr said: So you'd turn down free money when you were just starting up a business? There's a lot of 'just' £500 required. Have you seen an EU grant form? I would spend more than £500 of my time filling the thing in. There is no such thing as free money. Somewhere someone is paying for it.

Yep, all the tax he has paid over the years.

[flyingjase]

insurance_jon said:

It was a EEC initiative called FIRST. New round of funding begins in april. also i've used this before www.j4bgrants.co.uk

Thanks Jon