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Last update 01/08/2025

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Grants & Loans for Startups, Small Businesses & New Ventures in Charnwood District, UK

Introduction

Whether you're launching or growing a business in Charnwood Borough, this guide outlines the key grant schemes, government-backed loan programmes, and local support services available in 2025.

You'll find information on funding options, eligibility, how to apply, and where to get help.

Available Grants

🔹 Business Gateway Growth Hub – Business Growth Grant

Purpose: Finance capital or diversification projects for SMEs in Leicester and Leicestershire, including Charnwood.
Funding: £2,000–£25,000 grants covering approximately 35% of project costs (max £7,500 revenue-based).
Use Cases: Technology upgrades, marketing, equipment, innovation, or premises improvement (Love Loughborough).
Eligibility: B2B SMEs trading for at least 12 months and based in Leicestershire.
Apply via: Business Gateway Growth Hub website: https://bizgateway.org.uk/business-support/ (active-charnwood.org, Business Gateway Growth Hub).

🔹 Charnwood Scale-Up Programme (UKSPF–LLEP)

Purpose: Tailored diagnostic and support for established businesses aiming to scale in Charnwood.
Includes: Expert-led action plan, project coaching and up to £1,000 grant funding for implementation (Charnwood Campus).
Eligibility: Registered businesses in Charnwood with growth ambition.
Apply via: Leicestershire Business Advice Service (LBAS) via LLEP transition partners.

🔹 Charnwood Community Grants (via Active Together)

Purpose: Grants for voluntary and community organisations delivering local social or environmental benefits.
Funding: Up to £5,000 per project (active-charnwood.org, Love Loughborough, active-together.org).
Eligibility: VCS organisations operating within Charnwood.
Deadlines: Round 1: 3 March–28 March 2025; Round 2: 1 Sept–26 Sept 2025 (active-together.org).

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Loan Amount: £500–£25,000 at ~6% fixed interest.
Supports: Includes 12 months of mentoring and business planning support.
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 36 months, with a viable business plan.
Apply via: GOV.UK Start-Up Loans portal, locally supported through advisors delivered by Business Gateway Growth Hub or LBAS.

Local & Regional Support

🔹 Business Gateway Growth Hub (Leicester & Leicestershire)

A one-stop shop offering advice, funding, signposting, diagnostic support, workshops and grant enquiries, including Business Growth Grant programmes (Business Gateway Growth Hub, leicestershire.gov.uk).

🔹 Charnwood Borough Council – InCharnwood Business Support

Council-led support offering guidance about local grants and business growth services (Love Loughborough).

Eligibility & Application Guidance

Use GOV.UK's Business Finance Support Finder to explore national grants and loans.
Business Growth Grants: SMEs must be B2B, trading for≥12 months and based in Leicestershire (startupgrant.co.uk, active-charnwood.org).
Charnwood Scale-Up: Available to businesses based in Charnwood with growth intent (Charnwood Campus).
Community Grants: Only voluntary/community organisations can apply (active-together.org).
Required documents typically include: business plan, financial forecasts, quotes, bank statements, match funding proof, and project impact measures.

Application Steps

Choose a relevant grant or loan based on business type and stage.
Check eligibility and review deadlines via official guidance or advisor contact.
Assemble documentation.
Submit an Expression of Interest or formal application via the relevant portal.
If shortlisted, complete the full proposal.
If approved, deliver the project or activity and follow the reporting requirements.

Additional Tips

Book a Growth Hub enquiry with Business Gateway for support and tailored diagnostics.
Consider the Charnwood Scale‑Up Programme if your business is ready to grow—up to £1,000 matched funding.
Join community or peer networks, and use https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking to connect with mentors and local enterprises.

Contact & Further Information

Business Gateway Growth Hub: https://bizgateway.org.uk/business-support/
Charnwood Borough Council Business Support & InCharnwood: https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/non_covid_related_business_support (active-charnwood.org, cabinet.leicester.gov.uk, Love Loughborough, Charnwood Campus)
Charnwood Community Grants via Active Together: https://www.active-together.org/fundingfinder/1393 (active-together.org)
Business Board / LBAS enquiries for Scale-Up: initial contact via LLEP/Exemplas/LBAS network
GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support

FAQs

🔹 What grants are available to businesses in Charnwood in 2025?
Charnwood businesses have access to the Business Growth Grant (£2k–£25k via Gateway), the Scale-Up Programme (£1k match), and Community Grants (£5k) for VCS organisations.

🔹 Can I access support if my business is growing?
Yes—the Scale-Up Programme provides diagnostics, coaching, and up to £1,000 match-funded grant support for established businesses (Charnwood Campus, active-charnwood.org).

🔹 Are loan options available for new ventures?
Absolutely—via the national Start-Up Loans scheme, SMEs or pre-start founders can access up to £25,000 with mentoring included.

🔹 Am I eligible for business growth grants?
SMEs must have traded for at least 12 months, be B2B-focused and based in Leicester & Leicestershire to qualify for the Business Growth Grant (startupgrant.co.uk, active-charnwood.org).

🔹 Who can apply for community grants?
Community and voluntary sector groups delivering beneficial local initiatives can apply, following set deadline rounds in March and September 2025 (active-together.org).

🔹 Can I receive both grant and loan support at the same time?
Yes—eligible businesses often combine grant funding with Start-Up Loans or other government-supported finance.

🔹 Where do I get help with applications?
You can access free guidance via the Business Gateway Growth Hub, Leicestershire Business Advice Service, or Charnwood Council’s InCharnwood support team.

Value AD

2025

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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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