To help businesses with the much-needed cash injection from the onset of their business journey, the council is supporting the Stevenage Business Start-up Grant.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help small businesses with start-up costs, enabling them to develop, grow, expand, and or create new employment in the district.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for a one off non-repayable grant of between £500 and £2,000 to cover the eligible costs of getting their business firmly off the ground. The amount of grant supported will depend on the stage of the business and project type.

The Stevenage Business Start-up Grant Scheme is part of the ongoing support from the council to encourage the creation of sustainable new businesses, stimulate entrepreneurship and enterprise activities, encourage innovation, and create new jobs in Stevenage. The grant complements the existing advice, support, and guidance available for businesses from the council owned Business Technology Centre (btc) in Stevenage.

To access the funding, businesses are required to have undertaken advice and guidance to support their business ideas and plans recently from either:

• Wenta’s Get Enterprising Programme;
  or
• the Herts Growth Hub Business Advice Support Team

To Note: Both programmes are free to access for Stevenage residents and businesses.

As part of the application process, businesses are also required to support a business plan or proposal, including a 24-month financial forecast, outlining the projects they are supporting and the impact they will have on their business. Both Wenta and the Herts Growth Hub can provide businesses with support to assist them with this aspect.

If you have any queries or need further information or advice, please email Mena Caldbeck at economic.development@stevenage.gov.uk