2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl
 
             
     
     
     
     
Aberdeen provides a vibrant ecosystem for startups and SMEs, backed by generous grants, expert advisory services, and government‑backed loans. This guide outlines the key funding streams available in 2025 to help you launch, scale, or innovate.
Purpose: Supports new businesses with start-up costs—equipment, marketing, website development.
Value: £3,000 for businesses in rateable premises; £1,000 for home-based ventures (startupgrant.co.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Eligibility: Must be trading since 1 October 2024 in Aberdeen City and engaged with Business Gateway (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Apply via:
🔗 Aberdeen City Council – Business Start‑Up Grant Scheme (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Applicants should email the completed form and documents to BusinessSupport@aberdeencity.gov.uk, and can apply until 28 February 2026 (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Purpose: Match-funded support (50%) for premises expansion, innovation, sustainability, new tech adoption, and job creation.
Value: Up to £2,500 (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Eligibility: Aberdeen City-based SMEs trading for at least one year (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Apply via:
🔗 Aberdeen City Council – Business Growth & Innovation Grant Scheme (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Applications accepted until 28 February 2026 (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Purpose: Supports businesses and third-sector groups to invest in energy-saving projects.
Value: Up to £10,000, funding 50% of project costs (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Apply via:
🔗 SCARF‑run Aberdeen Energy Efficiency Programme (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Purpose: Encourages vibrant city-centre activity by funding events and markets.
Value: Up to £1,000 per business/event (max two apps per event) (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Apply via:
🔗 Aberdeen City Council – City‑Centre Events & Markets Grant (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
Available until 1 February 2026 (LinkedIn).
Purpose: State-backed personal loans to support startup growth, including mentoring.
Amount: £500–£25,000; 6% fixed interest; repayable over 1–5 years
Apply via:
🔗 Start‑Up Loans UK
Purpose: Loans for established businesses needing additional finance.
Amount: £25,000–£250,000; interest ~11%; up to 5-year term
Apply via:
🔗 Business Loans Scotland
**Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire**
Offers free advice, grant signposting, workshops, mentoring, and planning support.
🔗 Business Gateway Aberdeen – Local Support (startupgrant.co.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk)
📞 01224 472 844 | 📧 aberdeen@bgateway.com (aberdeencity.gov.uk)
Aberdeen City Council – Business Support
Central hub for funding information, eligibility criteria, and application guidance (aberdeencity.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk).
Invest Aberdeen
Provides inward investment advice and tailored business support (aberdeencity.gov.uk).
**Find Business Support (Scotland)**
Nationwide portal for regional grants and loan opportunities.
🔗 findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
Talk to a Business Gateway adviser early on to align with the right schemes.
Prepare documentation: business plan, financial forecasts, supplier quotes (min. 2), ID, and trade/ownership proof.
Arrange a meeting with Business Gateway.
Identify the appropriate grant or loan.
Collect required documents.
Apply online or via email per scheme instructions.
Wait for the decision—typically 2–8 weeks.
Implement project, collect receipts, and report against funding terms.
Use mentoring via Start‑Up Loans or Business Gateway for expert guidance.
Attend local networking events and workshops to strengthen your application.
Highlight themes like sustainability, innovation, and city-centre regeneration in your proposals.
Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire
📞 01224 472 844 | 📧 aberdeen@bgateway.com
🔗 Local Support (startupgrant.co.uk, LinkedIn, aberdeencity.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk, LinkedIn, aberdeencity.gov.uk)
Aberdeen City Council – Business Support & Grants
🔗 Business Start‑Up Grant Scheme
🔗 Growth & Innovation Grant Scheme
🔗 Energy Efficiency Programme (SCARF)
🔗 City‑Centre Events & Markets Grant
(Contact: BusinessSupport@aberdeencity.gov.uk) (aberdeencity.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk)
Start‑Up Loans UK
🔗 https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Business Loans Scotland
🔗 https://www.bls.scot
Find Business Support Scotland
🔗 https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
▫️ What does the Business Start‑Up Grant cover?
Up to £3,000 (premises-based) or £1,000 (home-based) for start-up costs (LinkedIn, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
▫️ Who’s eligible for the Growth & Innovation Grant?
Aberdeen City SMEs trading more than 12 months can access up to £2,500 match funding (aberdeencity.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
▫️ What energy grants are available?
The SCARF‑run programme provides up to £10,000 at 50% funding for efficiency upgrades (aberdeencity.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
▫️ Can I apply for event grants?
Yes—up to £1,000 per business/event for city‑centre activity projects (aberdeencity.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
▫️ How much can I borrow via Start‑Up Loans?
Up to £25,000 at fixed 6% interest, with 12 months’ mentoring support.
▫️ What is Business Loans Scotland?
A loan scheme offering £25,000–£250,000 at about 11% interest over a 5-year period.
▫️ Who delivers local support?
Business Gateway Aberdeen provides free advice, expert mentorship, workshops, and signposting (startupgrant.co.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk).
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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