2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

St Helens Council supports startups and small businesses by connecting them with regional grants, business support services, and government-backed finance. Although direct loans are limited, multiple avenues exist to secure funding and expert guidance.
Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed ~6% APR
Support: Includes 12 months of mentoring
Eligibility: UK residents with less than 3 years in business
Apply via: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Though the formal Recovery Loan Scheme has ended, similar finance remains available through the British Business Bank and via Liverpool City Region investment initiatives (liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk, Wikipedia).
Delivered by The Growth Company using UKSPF funding, this fully funded business support offers workshops, mentoring, and growth advice until March 2025 (St Helens Borough Council).
Small grants for voluntary/community groups supporting refugees, asylum-seekers and integration, part of the council’s 2024–25 community funding plan (St Helens Borough Council).
Major investment (£180 m+) into St Helens infrastructure and business development led by LCR Combined Authority (St Helens Borough Council).
Strategic Investment Fund supports innovation & R&D (e.g. Glass Futures centre) (liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk).
Business advice, networking, mentoring, and access to funding through local support bodies and social enterprise initiatives.
Angel and venture capital may be suitable for high-growth local startups. Platforms like Angel Investment Network can help.
Identify your business needs (start‑up, innovation, community focus).
Explore local schemes (Growth Company, CommUnity Grants, LCRCA).
Check eligibility for community vs commercial funding.
Build a robust plan with costs, impact, and justification.
Access support via St Helens Council, Growth Company, NE BIC.
Apply on time, supplying full documentation.
St Helens Growth Company (business growth and start‑up support)
Website: see St Helens Borough Council business support pages (St Helens Borough Council)
St Helens Borough Council – Community and Grants
CommUnity Grants info via council site (Wikipedia)
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Strategic Investment Fund informational pages (liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk)
Start‑Up Loans: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
British Business Bank: national business loan options
▫️ What local support is available?
Free advice, workshops and mentoring via the Growth Company under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund until March 2025 (startupgrant.co.uk, St Helens Borough Council).
▫️ Are there direct grants for commercial startups?
Not currently, but community-focused grants are available under the CommUnity Grants Scheme (sthelens.moderngov.co.uk, St Helens Borough Council).
▫️ Can I apply for government-backed loans?
Yes—Start‑Up Loans (£500–£25k) with mentoring are open to qualifying entrepreneurs.
▫️ How much investment is coming to St Helens from the region?
Over £180 million has been invested so far by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (St Helens Borough Council).
▫️ Who can help me prepare applications?
The Growth Company, St Helens Council, the chamber, and NE BIC offer tailored help.
▫️ How long until I hear back?
Business support assessments are prompt; community grant decisions follow typical council processing times (4–8 weeks).
▫️ Can I combine funding streams?
Yes—use combined support from Growth Company, community grants, and loans, provided eligibility is met.
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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