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Last update 01/08/2025

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Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Start‑ups in South Oxfordshire (2025)

🏢 Local Business Support & Grants

South Oxfordshire District Council offers a variety of grant schemes for businesses and community organisations.

🔗 South Oxfordshire Business Grants & Support
https://www.southoxon.gov.uk/business‑and‑economy/advice‑for‑businesses/opportunities‑for‑businesses/ (southoxon.gov.uk)

💰 Available Local Grant Schemes

🔹 Councillor Community Grant Scheme

Purpose: Small capital or one‑off revenue grants for community-led projects.
Grant size: Up to £7,500 per ward councillor.
Timeline: Opens mid‑August 2025 and closes early December 2025.
(southoxon.gov.uk)

🔹 Community Nature Recovery Fund

Purpose: Supports biodiversity and green space access projects.
Grant size: Up to £50,000 per project.
Status: Currently open with funding available until 2025.
(southoxon.gov.uk, whitehorsedc.gov.uk)

🔹 Performing Arts Grant Fund

Purpose: Projects improving wellbeing through community arts participation.
Grant size: Up to £60,000 per project.
Status: Open from July to September 2025.
(southoxon.gov.uk)

🔹 Capital Grant Scheme

Purpose: Funding to support capital infrastructure projects by local organisations.
Status: The 2024/25 round is now closed; future rounds are expected.
(southoxon.gov.uk)

💼 Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Offer: Up to £25,000 per founder with 12-month mentoring.

🔗 Apply: https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Business Finance Support Finder (GOV.UK)

Purpose: Matches your business profile to suitable grants, loans, and government support.

🔗 Access the tool: https://www.gov.uk/business‑finance‑support

🌍 Regional Enterprise Support

🔹 Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP)

Provides free business support, workshops, and grant signposting via a county-wide Growth Hub.

Programs include:

Enterprise Oxfordshire Support Tool—personalised action plans.
Business Accelerator (available until March 2025).
(westoxon.gov.uk, OxLEP Business, Enterprise Oxfordshire)

🔗 Learn more: enterpriseoxfordshirebusiness.com

🔹 Social Impact Programme (OSEP CIC)

Support: Start-up and early social enterprises can access advisory services and funding guidance under UKSPF-funded programmes.
(OxLEP Business, southoxon.gov.uk)

✅ What’s Active in 2025

Community grants open during specific windows (summer 2025).
Government loans (Start‑Up Loans and business finance tools) remain open year-round.
Regional support services via Enterprise Oxfordshire are fully accessible, including growth schemes, workshops, and advisors.

📝 How to Apply

Select relevant support: local community grants, national loans, or regional programmes.
Review eligibility criteria (e.g. project type, location, objectives).
Prepare required documentation: project plan, budget, proof of community benefit or trading status.
Apply online via the council or Enterprise Oxfordshire portals.
Meet specific deadlines—e.g. community grant rounds in summer 2025.
Utilise Growth Hub or Enterprise Oxfordshire sessions for support with proposals.

💡 Helpful Advice

Make clear outcomes part of your application (economic or community impact).
Align projects with priorities: biodiversity, inclusion, wellbeing, or climate action.
Sign up for the council or Enterprise Oxfordshire newsletters to track new rounds.
Connect with peers and advisors at workshops or funding clinics.
Expand networks digitally via platforms like:
https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking

📞 Contact & Resources

**South Oxfordshire District Council – Grants & Business Support**
🔗 southoxon.gov.uk
📞 01235 422422 | Email: grants@southandvale.gov.uk
(southoxon.gov.uk, southoxon.gov.uk, southoxon.gov.uk)
**Enterprise Oxfordshire (Growth Hub services)**
🔗 enterpriseoxfordshirebusiness.com
📧 business@enterpriseoxfordshire.com | 0345 241 1196
(OxLEP Business)
OxLEP Social Impact Programme (OSEP CIC)
🔗 via Enterprise Oxfordshire site
(southoxon.gov.uk)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

(Extra spacing for readability)

🔹 Are there business grants for new startups in South Oxfordshire?
No—current grants target community or climate‑related projects. No dedicated business startup grants are live in 2025.

🔹 Can I apply for council funding personally?
Only constituted organisations or community groups, via community grants like Councillor Community or Nature Recovery funds.

🔹 What support exists for social enterprises?
OSEP CIC offers tailored advice and funding avenues suitable for early-stage social impact ventures.

🔹 Can I borrow to start a business?
Yes—use Start‑Up Loans (up to £25k) and access advice through Growth Hub.

🔹 Where can I find qualified business support?
Enterprise Oxfordshire provides workshops, mentoring, and peer support for all business stages.

🔹 How do I stay informed on funding openings?
Subscribe to the council’s grant newsletter and Enterprise Oxfordshire updates to catch grant windows.

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.

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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.

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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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