2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Supporting startups and SMEs in Wigan with up‑to‑date funding, advice and council-backed initiatives for 2025.
Business Advice & Guidance
Free support to start, run or grow your business—including one‑to‑one advice, licensing, regulations and property opportunities (wigan.gov.uk).
Networking Events & Workshops
Regular sessions designed to help you build skills, connect with peers, and grow your enterprise (wigan.gov.uk).
Innovate with Wigan Business (UKSPF‑Funded)
‘Inspiring Innovation’ supports both pre‑start and established businesses with tailored coaching, funding guidance, mentoring and networking (Greater Manchester Business Board).
Wigan Council received ~£3 million over three years; future rounds will open across SME / workspace funding streams (democracy.wigan.gov.uk).
Includes: town centre improvement schemes (e.g., Ashton‑in‑Makerfield), business environments, and capacity‑building.
Ashton‑in‑Makerfield Town Centre Grants: up to 90% of costs for shopfront/conservation works; next round expected spring 2025 (wigan.gov.uk).
Apprenticeships for Young People
Grants up to £5,000 for apprenticeships in engineering, manufacturing, digital, and construction (wigan.gov.uk).
#SEEDIFFERENT SME Scheme
Up to £3,000 grants for SMEs across other sectors within Greater Manchester (wigan.gov.uk).
Loans: £500–£25,000 (up to £100,000 per business if multiple founders)
Fixed 6% interest + 12 months of free mentoring
Available through accredited lenders with government guarantee (70%) for SMEs
Offers loans, overdrafts, invoice or asset finance
Info: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme/
National & Local Schemes: Use the GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder to locate funding relevant to Wigan.
UKSPF & Council Programmes: Confirm your eligibility via council pages and contacts.
Loan Schemes: Check mentoring offers and criteria on British Business Bank and accredited lenders.
Identify suitable programmes (grants, loans, apprenticeship funding).
Check eligibility, funding amounts, and deadlines.
Gather documents: business plan, forecasts, IDs, financial records, apprenticeship eligibility.
Apply online or via Expression of Interest—GOV.UK, Wigan Council or UKSPF portals.
Engage in workshops or bootcamps (e.g., Inspiring Innovation).
Follow up with programme managers or council advisers for next steps.
Mentoring & Coaching: Join the Inspiring Innovation programme via Inventya and Wigan Council (Startup Grant, Greater Manchester Business Board, wigan.gov.uk).
Apprenticeship Recruitment: Utilize apprenticeship grants and advice to expand your team.
Conservation Grants: Shopfront improvements in Ashton‑in‑Makerfield are funded on a first‑come basis—plan ahead (wigan.gov.uk).
Networking: Attend events through Wigan Business bulletin and UKSPF initiatives.
**Wigan Council Business Support**
👉 https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Business/Business-Support/index.aspx
☎️ 01942 486865 (wigan.gov.uk)
UK Shared Prosperity Fund Updates
👉 https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Projects/Funding/UK-Shared-Prosperity-Fund.aspx (wigan.gov.uk)
Inspiring Innovation Programme (via Inventya)
👉 https://inventya.com/wigan-business-inspiring-innovation (inventya.com)
Apprenticeship Grants Info
👉 www.wiganworks.com (search ‘Recruitment and education’) (wigan.gov.uk)
Ashton‑in‑Makerfield Town Centre Grant Scheme
👉 https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Projects/Ashton-Town-Centre/Ashton-in-Makerfield-Town-Centre-Grant-Scheme.aspx (wigan.gov.uk)
British Business Bank Loan Info
👉 https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan
Growth Guarantee Scheme
👉 https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme/
Each question is spaced for better website readability.
🔹 Does Wigan Council offer direct business grants?
Yes—via UKSPF programmes and specific town‑centre schemes like Ashton‑in‑Makerfield. Grants for apprenticeships are also available.
🔹 What is the Inspiring Innovation programme?
A UKSPF-funded coaching and mentoring initiative for Wigan-based entrepreneurs, delivered by Inventya and the council (Startup Grant, Greater Manchester Business Board).
🔹 How can I apply for apprenticeship funding?
Grants up to £5,000 (sector-specific) or £3,000 via Greater Manchester schemes. Express interest through www.wiganworks.com (wigan.gov.uk, wigan.gov.uk).
🔹 What conservation grants are available?
Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Town Centre Grant Scheme offers up to 90% funding for heritage improvements; next round expected Spring 2025 (wigan.gov.uk).
🔹 How do I access Start‑Up Loans?
Visit GOV.UK to apply online; loans come with fixed interest and mentoring support.
🔹 What support is there for workspace or SME investment?
UKSPF UK suggestions show future SME/workspace funding streams via council (Startup Grant, Greater Manchester Business Board, democracy.wigan.gov.uk).
🔹 Can I connect with other local businesses?
Yes, through council-run events, the Wigan Business Bulletin, and UKSPF mentorship programmes.
🔹 Where can I find national funding options?
Use GOV.UK’s Business Finance Support Finder for broader schemes, including loan guarantees and grants.
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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