2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Clackmannanshire offers excellent support for new and growing businesses through grants, expert consultancy, and government-backed loans. This guide outlines the available funding streams and how to apply effectively in 2025.
Purpose: Provides up to 3 days of fully funded specialist support in areas like marketing, IT, finance, HR, procurement, innovation, legal, or net-zero strategy (clacks.gov.uk).
Eligibility: SMEs and third-sector organisations based in Clackmannanshire with fewer than 250 employees (clacks.gov.uk).
Apply via: Clackmannanshire Council or Business Gateway advisor
🔗 Expert Help Programme – Clackmannanshire Council
Purpose: Personal loans for business startups, including mentoring.
Amount: £500–£25,000; fixed interest of 6%; repayable over 1–5 years (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, Business Gateway | Business Gateway).
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+ running a business for less than 3 years.
Apply via: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Business Gateway Clackmannanshire
Free advice, funding guidance, webinars, and specialist support (Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
🔗 Business Gateway Clackmannanshire – Local Support
Clackmannanshire Council – Business Support
Central hub for info on Expert Help and other services (clacks.gov.uk)
🔗 Clackmannanshire Council – Support for Businesses
Find Business Support (Scotland)
Official portal for funding info and applications
🔗 https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
Check if your project matches the scheme’s requirements.
Engage early with Business Gateway adviser to boost your application.
Prepare documents: growth strategy, project scopes, financials, and ID.
Book an appointment with Business Gateway adviser.
Verify eligibility for Expert Help or Start‑Up Loan.
Gather documentation: business plan, financial forecasts, consultancy scope, identification.
Submit request through the Council or Start‑Up Loans portal.
Await feedback — typically within one week for Expert Help; loans may take longer.
Receive support or accept loan terms and begin mentoring.
Use net-zero expertise now available via the Expert Help for sustainable growth (clacks.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, Business Gateway | Business Gateway, ceteris.co.uk).
Attend free workshops and digital clinics by Business Gateway.
Connect locally at Clackmannanshire networking events — details via Business Gateway.
Business Gateway Clackmannanshire
📞 01259 726 430
🔗 Local Support (Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
Clackmannanshire Council – Expert Help
🔗 Expert Help Programme (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)
Start‑Up Loans UK
🔗 https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Find Business Support (Scotland)
🔗 https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
🔹 What support is available through the Expert Help Programme?
Up to three days of specialist consultancy in marketing, finance, HR, IT, procurement, innovation, net-zero, or legal strategy.
🔹 Who is eligible for Expert Help?
SMEs or third-sector organisations in Clackmannanshire with fewer than 250 employees.
🔹 How do I apply for Expert Help?
Submit an enquiry via the Clackmannanshire Council or through a Business Gateway adviser.
🔹 What’s the maximum Start-Up Loan amount?
You can borrow up to £25,000, with 12 months of mentoring included.
🔹 Can I receive both Expert Help and a Start‑Up Loan?
Yes—as long as you meet the individual criteria of each programme.
🔹 How soon will I hear back about Expert Help?
Decisions are usually provided within one week, assuming documentation is in order.
🔹 What documents are required?
You’ll need a business plan, financial forecasts, a consultancy scope for Expert Help, proof of ID, and trading details.
🔹 Where can I get assistance with my application?
Business Gateway Clackmannanshire provides free one-to-one advice, webinars, and workshops.
Value Ad helps new businesses save 50% to 80% on essential services like marketing and
development. These savings act as an alternative investment, fueling growth.
Service providers gain valuable initial customers, helping them grow and attract investment.
It's a win-win for everyone!
This App/website is not affiliated with any government agency. We collect and organize information from publicly available government websites and provide direct links to these official sources.
For accurate details and to apply for grants or loans, please visit the relevant government websites linked within the App/website.
What is Value Ad?
Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.
How is it a Win-Win Deal?
For New Businesses:
Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.
Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.
For Service Providers:
Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.
Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.
Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.
Alternative Investment for New Businesses:
For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.
Benefits for Service Providers:
Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:
Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.
Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.
Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.
In Summary:
Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.
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