2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl
Westmorland & Furness Council (covering South Lakeland) provides grants via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), delivered through Cumbria Business Growth Hub and the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.(Cumbria Growth Hub)
đź”— Grant overview: [Grant Funding – Westmorland & Furness UK SPF & REPF](Cumbria Growth Hub)
đź”— Business support portal: [Invest in Westmorland & Furness – Business Support](Invest in Westmorland and Furness)
Purpose: Support rural SMEs with capital investment (equipment, productivity, innovation).
Grant Size: £1,000–£25,000 (typically ~£12,000 average), up to 50% of project cost.
Deadline: EOI by 11 August 2025, full application by 16 September 2025, spend complete by 31 January 2026.(Cumbria Growth Hub, cumbriachamber.co.uk)
Apply via: Cumbria Business Growth Hub (info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk).
Included support: Vouchers (£500–£1,000) for consultancy (e.g., marketing, websites, legal, sustainability).(cumbriachamber.co.uk)
Purpose: Facilitate decarbonisation support via Cumbria Action for Sustainability and Green Small Business.
Grant Size: £200–£10,000 for green business improvements and certification.
Funding Cap: £200,000 available; delivered via Green Enterprise Hub through March 2025.(groups.friendsoftheearth.uk)
Purpose: Provides advisory services and funding for social enterprises and community businesses.
Offerings: Start-up cost grants, product/service investment support, premises improvement via UIKSPF.(westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Up to £25,000 per founder, with 12 months of mentoring.
Eligibility: UK-based businesses trading for under 36 months.
Tailors grant and loan matches based on the business profile.
đź”— Access here: gov.uk/business-finance-support
Offers tailored support, grant application help, rural advice vouchers, workshops and diagnostic tools.(Cumbria Growth Hub, cumbriachamber.co.uk, westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Fully funded support for startups and existing businesses, offering tailored growth guidance, innovation mentoring, and access to grants up to March 2026.(Invest in Westmorland and Furness)
Provides market research tools, workshops, and planning support for business development. (UKSPF-funded support linked to wider Cumbrian services.)
Open capital grant rounds via Cumbria Growth Hub until August 2025.
Green Enterprise Hub grants continue through early 2025.
Start‑Up Loans and GOV.UK finance finder remains available year‑round.
Cumbria Accelerator and Social Enterprise initiatives are active until March 2026.(westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk, Cumbria Growth Hub)
Identify a suitable funding stream: capital, green, social enterprise, or loan.
Check your eligibility: business size, location, project scope.
Prepare key documents: project/business plan, cost breakdown, evidence of match‑funding or rural location.
Submit an Expression of Interest via the Cumbria Hub for the capital grant.
Engage with Cumbria Hub or the Accelerator for advisory support.
Complete all work and claim funding by 31 January 2026.
Maintain records for grant compliance.
Link grant use to business growth, innovation, or environmental objectives.
Use vouchers for external advice services to strengthen proposals.
Attend grant information sessions and workshops.
Subscribe to newsletters from the Cumbria Hub or the council for updates.
Expand networking digitally at: Gmax Card Business Networking (https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking)
Cumbria Business Growth Hub / Cumbria Chamber (REPF/UKSPF grants)
Email: info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk | Phone: 01539 793280
(cumbriachamber.co.uk, Invest in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria Growth Hub)
Enterprising Cumbria – Accelerator Programme
Contact Leslie Rickerby (leslie.rickerby@enterprisingcumbria.org.uk)
(Invest in Westmorland and Furness)
Cumbria Action for Sustainability (Green Enterprise Hub)
Grants & sustainability advice via Green Enterprise Hub.
(groups.friendsoftheearth.uk)
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🔹 Can online businesses access grants?
Yes—if their plans include capital investment or green credentials, they may qualify under SME or green grant streams.
🔹 How large are capital grants?
Typically range £1,000–£25,000, average ~£12,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
🔹 Can small consultancies access voucher support?
Yes—they can claim £500–£1,000 vouchers for consultancy services (marketing, website, legal, sustainability) via Growth Hub vouchers.
🔹 What support is available for social enterprises?
The Social Enterprise Zone offers start-up funding and tailored advice to community or social businesses until March 2026.
🔹 What if I need a loan instead?
Use Start‑Up Loans up to £25k or access finance via GOV.UK support finder.
🔹 How can I stay informed of funding rounds?
Subscribe to the Cumbria Business Growth Hub or Westmorland & Furness Council newsletters and attend their business events.
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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