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    Last update 20/07/2025

    2025 Grants & Loans for Start‑ups & Small Businesses in Blaenau Gwent, UK


    Introduction

    Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council supports local economic growth by offering a range of grants and government-backed loans to help startups and small businesses in 2025.


    Available Grants

    🔹 Business Start‑Up Grant

    • Purpose: Helps pre-start ventures purchase equipment, training, marketing, and accreditation.

    • Amount: Covers up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at £1,000. Pre-starts also have access to a Test Trading (Pre-Start) grant of up to £500. (Blaenau Gwent Business Hub, Startup Grant, Blaenau Gwent CBC)

    • Requirements: 20% match funding, a one-month cash flow forecast, and support from an Enterprise Facilitator. (Blaenau Gwent Business Hub)

    • Apply: Through the Blaenau Gwent Business Hub.


    🔹 Kick Start Plus Grant

    • Purpose: Supports businesses that have been trading for 6 months to 3 years.

    • Amount: Up to 50% of costs, max £2,500; minimum grant £250. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)

    • Eligible Costs: ICT, marketing, websites, training, accreditation, consultancy, green-tech. (Startup Grant)

    • Requirements: Demonstrated outputs like job creation, productivity improvements, innovation, and green energy adoption. (Blaenau Gwent Business Hub)


    🔹 Business Development Grant

    • Purpose: Helps SMEs of any age invest in capital and revenue projects—machinery, decarbonisation, training, and consultancy. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)

    • Amount: Covers up to 50% of eligible costs, up to £50,000 (£25k capital + £25k revenue); minimum £2,500. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)


    🔹 Social Enterprise Grant

    • Purpose: Supports social enterprises with capital or revenue development initiatives.

    • Amount: Up to 50% of costs; maximum depends on budget.

    • Coverage: Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Blaenau Gwent CBC)


    🔹 Tourism & Retail/Hospitality Grants

    • Purpose: Supports sector-specific growth in tourism, retail, hospitality, and community buildings.

    • Note: New grant rounds announced via the Shared Prosperity Fund. (LinkedIn)


    🔹 UK Shared Prosperity Fund

    • Programmes: Business Development, Social Enterprise, and sector-specific grants are funded by UKSPF. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)


    Government‑Backed Loans

    🔹 Start‑Up Loans Wales

    • Offers personal loans of £500–£25,000 with 12 months of mentoring.


    🔹 Development Bank of Wales

    • Provides loan and equity finance for Welsh businesses, ranging from £1,000 to several million.


    Key Resources

    • Business Wales – National hub for mentoring, funding, and planning.

    • Blaenau Gwent Business Hub – The local portal for grant information and applications. (Startup Grant, Blaenau Gwent CBC)

    • Goldworks Enterprise Hub – Workspace, workshops, mentoring, and coworking support based in Ebbw Vale. (Business News Wales)


    Council Contact Information


    Advice on Applying

    1. Talk early to an Enterprise Facilitator or Business Hub advisor.

    2. Match funding required: 20% for start-up, 50% for later-stage grants.

    3. Collate application materials: robust business plan, quotes, cash flow, evidence of impact.

    4. Focus on outputs: job creation, innovation, environmental benefits.

    5. Keep documents ready: quotes, forecasts, and accounts for verification.


    Additional Insights

    • A suite of new UKSPF-funded grants launched recently, including Tourism, Retail, Social Enterprise, and Start-Up schemes, signalling ongoing support for local business growth. (Blaenau Gwent Business Hub)

    • Kick Start Plus is now funded by both UK Steel Enterprise and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (Blaenau Gwent Business Hub)

    • Goldworks hub fosters collaboration, innovation, and workspace for Blaenau Gwent entrepreneurs. (LinkedIn)


    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

     
    🔹 What is the maximum amount for the Business Start‑Up Grant?
    Up to £1,000 at 75% of costs, plus a pre-start “Test Trading” grant up to £500. (Blaenau Gwent CBC, Blaenau Gwent Business Hub)

     
    ▫️ What does Kick Start Plus fund?
    For businesses trading 6 months to 3 years: up to £2,500 at 50% funding, for ICT, websites, training, marketing, consultancy. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)

     
    🔹 How much is the Business Development Grant?
    Up to £50,000 total (capital + revenue), at 50% funding. (Blaenau Gwent CBC)

     
    ▫️ Who is the Social Enterprise Grant for?
    New or existing social enterprises seeking support for development projects. (Blaenau Gwent CBC, LinkedIn)

     
    🔹 Are new grants available?
    Yes—recent UKSPF rounds include Tourism, Hospitality/Retail, and Social Enterprise grants. (Small Business UK)

     
    ▫️ What loan support exists?
    Start‑Up Loans Wales: £500–£25,000 with mentoring
    Development Bank of Wales: £1,000 to multimillion loans and equity

     
    🔹 Where can I get help applying?
    Contact the Business & Innovation Team at Blaenau Gwent Business Hub or Business Wales for guidance and mentoring.

     
    ▫️ Can I apply for multiple grants?
    Yes—provided each fund's different project elements and criteria are met.

     

     

     

     

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