2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Ards & North Down Borough Council offers a range of financial supports—specialist grants, mentoring, and government-backed loans—to help businesses launch, grow, or scale in 2025.
Purpose: 1‑to‑1 mentoring plus masterclasses in fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact.
Eligibility: Social enterprises trading within the borough.
🔗 [Social Enterprise Thematic Programme – NI Business Info]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/social-enterprise-thematic-programme)
Purpose: Grants between £5,000–£20,000 (ex VAT) to adopt digital technologies.
Deadline: Expression of Interest closes 11 July 2025 at 12:00.
🔗 [DTFF – Ards & North Down Council – Funding Portal]
(https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/article/2097/Digital-Transformation-Flexible-Fund)
Purpose: 90% funding (up to £2,500/property) for high-street shopfront improvements.
Opening Date: From 23 June 2025.
🔗 [Glow Up Grant – NI Business Info: Business Growth Support]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-growth-support-ards-and-north-down)
Purpose: Pilot scheme for renovating vacant commercial properties in Bangor & Newtownards.
Launch Date: 23 June 2025.
🔗 [Empty to Energise – NI Business Info: Business Growth Support]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-growth-support-ards-and-north-down)
Purpose: Pilot support for new tourism experiences, delivered April 2025–March 2026.
🔗 [Tourism Experience Development – Council PDF Guidance]
(https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/article/1361/Grants?download=true&p=tl;id=...)
Purpose: DAERA-backed 50% grants (up to £4,999) for rural micro-businesses.
Status: 2024/25 round closed; future rounds pending.
🔗 [Rural Business Grants – NI Business Info]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/rural-business-development-grants-scheme)
Loan: £500–£25,000 at 6% fixed interest, with 12 months mentoring.
Eligibility: UK residents 18+ with businesses under 3 years old.
🔗 [Apply via GOV.UK – Start‑Up Loan]
(https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan)
Business Support Team (Council) – advice and applications:
🔗 [Council Business Support]
(https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/business)
Go Succeed Programme – mentoring and workshops:
🔗 [Go Succeed – NI Business Support]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/go-succeed)
NI Business Info & Invest NI – exporting, innovation, growth:
🔗 [NI Business Info – Local Support]
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-growth-support-ards-and-north-down)
Choose a scheme aligned with your business goals.
Check eligibility/deadline on official pages.
Prepare documents: business plan, quotes, forecasts, ID.
Attend required workshops (e.g., DTFF).
Submit applications via funding portal or GOV.UK.
Await decisions (processing times vary).
Subscribe to the Business Funding e-zine from the Council portal.
Combine grants, loans, and Go Succeed mentoring for stronger applications.
Use Go Succeed clinics to fine-tune business plans and proposals.
Monitor linked schemes like In Bloom, tourism grants, and shopfront initiatives.
📞 Business Support Team: 0300 013 3333
📧 Email: business.support@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
🌐 Funding Portal: via Council Business Support site
🔗 Start‑Up Loans: via GOV.UK link above
🔗 Go Succeed sign-up: via NI Business Info
▫️ What support is available for social enterprises?
Mentoring and workshops via the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme (NI Business Info).
▫️ What is the DTFF?
Grants between £5k–£20k for digital upgrades; EOI deadline: 11 July 2025.
▫️ How do Glow Up Grants work?
Covers 90% of shopfront improvement costs (up to £2,500). Open from 23 June 2025.
▫️ What is the Tourism Development Programme?
A pilot scheme (April 2025–March 2026) to improve visitor experiences in the borough.
▫️ Are rural grants still open?
No—but the next round is expected. Keep an eye on the Council or NI Business Info.
▫️ Can I get a Start‑Up Loan?
Yes—available via GOV.UK from £500 to £25,000, with mentoring.
▫️ Can I apply for multiple supports?
Yes, as long as you’re eligible. Council advisors can help plan this.
▫️ What documents are required?
Business plan, quotes, financial forecasts, ID, and proof of any mandatory workshop attendance.
▫️ Where can I get application support?
Contact 0300 013 3333 or business.support@...; or attend Go Succeed sessions.
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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