2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Forest of Dean District Council actively supports rural businesses and startups through grants, government-backed loans, and specialist advisory services to foster local economic growth across the district.
Purpose: Supports expansion, diversification, digital improvements, innovation, low-carbon tech, visitor economy development, and land/premises upgrades.
Amount: £3,000–£25,000 (20% match funding required).
Eligibility: Micro-businesses (<10 employees), small firms (<250 employees), and social enterprises within the district.
Deadline: Next round expected early autumn 2025 (last closed October 2024) (Forest of Dean District Council News, FEP).
Apply: 👉 REPF Rural Business Grant info (Council’s REPF web page).
Purpose: Helps new businesses and social enterprises registered after April 2021 with initial costs.
Amount: Up to £1,000.
Eligibility: New businesses or social enterprises located in the Forest District.
Deadlines: Multiple rounds; next application window closes 21 February 2026 (also on 23 May, 22 August, 21 November 2025) (Forest of Dean District Council News, Grants Database).
Apply: Email a completed form to businessgrants@fdean.gov.uk or phone 01594 810000.
Purpose: Revenue grants for voluntary/community groups to build capacity and wellbeing.
Amount: Up to £3,000 (constituted groups); up to £500 (non-constituted).
Deadline: Final call for 2025–26 round is 30 May 2025 (Forest of Dean District Council News).
Apply: 👉 Community Grants Fund info.
Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: 6% fixed
Support: Includes mentoring & business planning
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 36 months
Apply: 👉 GOV.UK – Apply for a Start‑Up Loan
Signposts to grants, provides advisory support, hosts webinars (e.g. REPF briefing sessions) (Forest of Dean District Council News, Facebook, Forest of Dean District Council News).
Contact: businessgrants@fdean.gov.uk • 01594 810000
Collaborates with council to deliver the Start‑Up Grant; promotes sustainable business growth (FEP, Grants Database).
Use the GOV.UK Business Finance & Support Finder for national funding.
Council eligibility guidance available via REPF and grant webpages.
Attend webinars and info events (e.g., 2024 REPF webinar on 19 Sept) (Forest of Dean District Council News).
Clarify your project – startup, rural infrastructure, digital, low-carbon.
Match schemes – choose from Rural, Start-Up, or Community grants.
Check eligibility – business size, location, growth stage.
Prepare documentation – business plan, forecasts, quotes, registration.
Apply – via council’s REPF/Startup forms and email or via the grant portal.
Track process – adhere to deadlines, attend info events, follow up promptly.
Join webinars and surgeries: e.g. upcoming REPF briefings.
Network via Forest Economic Partnership and council-run business events.
Plan ahead: check for upcoming REPF deadlines in autumn 2025.
Use GMAX Card networking to connect regionally.
Rural Business Grants: via REPF page on Forest Council ➤ Council REPF page
Business Start‑Up Grant: email businessgrants@fdean.gov.uk • 01594 810000
Community Grants Fund: ➤ Community grants info
Start‑Up Loans: ➤ GOV.UK Start‑Up Loan
Forest Economic Partnership: email fep@fdean.gov.uk
🔹 What grants are available in the Forest?
Rural Business Grant (£3k–£25k) for rural enterprises
Business Start‑Up Grant (up to £1k) for new businesses
Community Grants (up to £3k/£500) for voluntary groups
🔹 When is the next Rural Business Grant closing date?
The next round is expected early autumn 2025; the previous round closed 7 October 2024 (Rural Development, FEP, Forest of Dean District Council News, Grants Database, Forest of Dean District Council News).
🔹 What’s the Start‑Up Grant deadline?
Next window closes 21 February 2026, with other rounds in May, August, and November 2025 (Grants Database).
🔹 How much can I borrow via a Start‑Up Loan?
Up to £25,000 with fixed 6% interest and mentoring support.
🔹 Who is eligible for the Community Grants Fund?
Constituted voluntary/community groups can apply for up to £3,000 (or £500 for non-constituted groups) before 30 May 2025 (Facebook, Forest of Dean District Council News).
🔹 Where can I get help applying?
Attend REPF webinars, contact District Council’s economic team, or reach out to FEP for guidance.
🔹 What’s needed to apply?
Submit a business plan, cost breakdowns, eligibility proof, match funding arrangements, and project description.
🔹 How can I stay informed of new rounds?
Subscribe to council newsletters, attend FEP events/webinars, and check GOV.UK updates.
🔹 Where to start?
Define project scope
Review eligibility
Contact council/FEP or attend webinar
Prepare docs
Apply on time
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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