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Last update 01/08/2025

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2025 Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in Cheltenham, UK

Introduction

If you’re launching or growing a small business in Cheltenham, you can access several officially supported grant schemes, interest‑bearing loans, and business support services in 2025. This guide provides:

Funding options
Eligibility criteria
Application steps
Key contact information

Available Grants

🔹 Cheltenham Zero Business Grant

Purpose: Helps SMEs reduce carbon emissions through energy-efficiency investments.
Funding: Grants up to £5,000 per business (total fund pool £36,655) (cheltenham.gov.uk, soglos.com).
Eligibility: Registered businesses in Cheltenham signed up to Cheltenham Zero, with a carbon audit and plan (cheltenham.gov.uk).
Application Period: 1 July – 30 September 2025.
How to Apply: Follow the link from Cheltenham Council’s Community Grants page (cheltenham.gov.uk).

🔹 Start and Grow Enterprise (via University of Gloucestershire and The Growth Hub)

Purpose: Deliver free support—diagnostics, workshops, coaching, networking—for Gloucestershire-based startups.
Includes: Training, co-working access, mentoring, and opportunity to apply for small grants (e.g., £1,000 enterprise voucher) (University of Gloucestershire).
Duration: Ongoing support via the University’s SP-funded project (soglos.com, University of Gloucestershire).
Eligibility: Gloucestershire (including Cheltenham) residents with pre-start or early-stage business ideas (University of Gloucestershire).

🔹 Grown in Cheltenham (by Plexal and The Growth Hub)

Purpose: Offers six months of tailored growth support for innovative Cheltenham-registered startups.
Includes: One‑to‑one mentoring, workspace access at Hub8, networking, and industry experts' support (Plexal).
Eligibility: Businesses registered in Cheltenham demonstrating regional impact potential (Plexal).

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Loan Size: £500–£25,000 per founder at fixed ~6% APR; repayable over up to 5 years.
Includes: 12 months’ free mentoring and business support.
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading for less than 36 months, with a valid business idea.
How to Apply: Via GOV.UK (startupgrant.co.uk).

Local & Regional Support

🔹 Cheltenham Borough Council – Business Support & Advice

Provides local business support clinics, grant updates, and guidance on funding sources (We're moving to Cheltenham).
Contact: business.support@cheltenham.gov.uk • 01242 262626.

🔹 The Growth Hub Gloucestershire / GFirst LEP

Offers free business advice, workshops, mentoring referrals, co-working opportunities, and access to regional funding routes (startupgrant.co.uk).
Visit: Growth Hub website.

Eligibility & Application Guidance

Use the GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder for national funding options.
For Cheltenham-specific schemes, register with Cheltenham Zero and join its business initiative (cheltenham.gov.uk, cheltenham.gov.uk).
Applicants generally need:
- A business plan or carbon audit
- Financial forecasts
- Quotes for equipment or capital works
- Proof of trading location and status

Application Steps

Identify schemes suited to your business stage (start-up or SME).
Check eligibility and application timing.
Collate required documents.
Register interest or apply through the right portal (Cheltenham Zero or Growth Hub).
If shortlisted, submit detailed proposals.
If approved, follow reporting and monitoring guidelines.

Additional Tips

Join Cheltenham Zero for access to grants and climate-focused business support.
Consider joining Grown in Cheltenham for innovation-led startup acceleration (soglos.com, soglos.com, Plexal).
These initiatives often include mentoring, co-working, and peer networking.
For broader networking and mentoring across Gloucestershire, try https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking.

Contact & Further Information

Cheltenham Borough Council – Community Grants & Business Support:
https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/60/community_advice_and_engagement/853/community_grants_and_funding (facebook.com, cheltenham.gov.uk)
Start and Grow Enterprise / Growth Hub:
http://www.startandgrowenterprise.uk and The Growth Hub via county council info (University of Gloucestershire)
Grown in Cheltenham:
https://www.plexal.com/our-work/grown-in-cheltenham (Plexal)
GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder:
https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support

FAQs

🔹 What is the Cheltenham Zero Business Grant?
An energy-efficiency grant providing up to £5,000 for SMEs in Cheltenham signed up to the Cheltenham Zero initiative (cheltenham.gov.uk, cheltenham.gov.uk).

🔹 Can pre‑start businesses access support?
Yes—Start and Grow Enterprise offers free guidance, diagnostics, and potential small grants to pre-start entrepreneurs (University of Gloucestershire).

🔹 Is growth support available for mature startups?
Absolutely—the Grown in Cheltenham programme provides tailored support and workspace to registered startups with growth potential (Plexal).

🔹 Can I still apply for Start‑Up Loans?
Yes—available nationwide through GOV.UK for eligible early-stage businesses (startupgrant.co.uk).

🔹 Are multiple schemes combinable?
Often, businesses may use Cheltenham Zero grants alongside support programmes like Start and Grow or Grown in Cheltenham.

🔹 What documents do I need?
Business plan, forecasts, quotes, carbon audit (for energy grants), match funding evidence (if required).

🔹 Where can I get help applying?
Visit Cheltenham Business Support Hub, the Growth Hub, or email business.support@cheltenham.gov.uk for assistance.

Value AD

2025

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

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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