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Last update 20/07/2025

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

Introduction

Bridgend County Borough Council offers a range of funding to support startups and small businesses. Whether you’re launching or expanding, here are the key grants and government-backed loans available in 2025.

Available Grants

🔹 Business Development Grant

Purpose: Helps SMEs diversify, decarbonise, and grow.
Amount: Covers 50% of eligible capital project costs; grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (maximum £50,000 project value, excluding VAT) (bridgendforms.evolutive.co.uk, caerphilly.gov.uk, bridgend.gov.uk).
Eligibility: SMEs in Bridgend County Borough, trading for over three years, VAT-threshold turnover, less than 250 employees (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).
Status: Final call in June 2024; check for possible new UKSPF rounds (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).

🔹 Business Start‑Up Fund

Purpose: Supports new micro-businesses with startup equipment, premises, digital, and more.
Amount: 50% of costs; £250–£4,000 grants (projects up to £8,000, excluding VAT) (bridgend.gov.uk).
Eligibility: New or early-stage businesses within first three years, fewer than ten employees, turnover under €2 million (bridgend.gov.uk).
Status: Regularly reopened; follow council/Facebook updates for new windows (Facebook, Facebook).

🔹 Business Feasibility Grant

Purpose: Funds feasibility studies for SMEs looking to diversify, decarbonise, or grow.
Amount: 100% revenue cost cover; £5,000–£25,000 (bridgend.gov.uk, bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).
Eligibility: Similar criteria to the Development Grant (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).

🔹 Tourism Events Support Fund

Purpose: Supports local tourism events.
Status: Currently closed; email events@bridgend.gov.uk for reopening notifications (bridgend.gov.uk).

🔹 Strategic Regeneration Grants

Purpose: Aims to regenerate town centres and district hubs (e.g. Bridgend, Porthcawl, Maesteg) through capital investment (bridgend.gov.uk).
Status: Available under UKSPF; check council website for current rounds.

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans Wales

Personal loans of £500–£25,000 with 12 months mentoring.

🔹 Development Bank of Wales

Offers a range of loan & equity finance from £1,000 to several million.

Key Resources

Business Wales – guidance on funding, mentoring, and business planning
Bridgend Council – Business Funding & Grants – central source for scheme details and applications (bridgend.gov.uk, UK Startup Mag, bridgendforms.evolutive.co.uk, bridgend.gov.uk)
Shared Prosperity Fund Listings – UKSPF supports these schemes (£19 million+) (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk)

Council Contact Information

📞 01656 643643
✉️ businessfunds@bridgend.gov.uk
🌐 Business funding pages on the Council website (bridgend.gov.uk)

Advice on Applying

Engage early with Business Wales or the Council’s Economic Development Team.
Review eligibility carefully, especially around trading status, size, and funding rules.
Gather key documents: business plan, cost quotes, financial forecasts, and outputs (e.g., job creation).
Watch for funding windows—grants often run until fully allocated.
Apply promptly; many are first-come, first-served.
Use mentoring options for Start-Up Loans and feasibility initiatives.

Additional Insights

A scheme with social enterprise agency Cwmpas supported 8 new startups and 132 existing businesses in Bridgend last year (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk, Oggy Bloggy Ogwr, Business News Wales).
UKSPF-backed grants aim to drive decarbonisation, innovation, and local regeneration (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What is the Business Development Grant?
Covers up to 50% of capital costs, between £5,000 to £25,000, for established SMEs in Bridgend (bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk).

▫️ Who qualifies for the Start‑Up Fund?
New or early-stage micro-businesses in their first three years, with fewer than 10 employees and turnover below €2 million (bridgend.gov.uk).

🔹 Can I get funding for a feasibility study?
Yes—the Business Feasibility Grant covers up to £25,000 of costs at 100% funding (bridgendforms.evolutive.co.uk, bridgend.gov.uk).

▫️ How often does the Start‑Up Fund open?
It reopens periodically throughout the year—follow council updates or contact businessfunds@bridgend.gov.uk (Facebook).

🔹 Are town centre regeneration grants available?
Yes—under the Strategic Regeneration Grants scheme, part of UKSPF; check the council site.

▫️ How much mentoring comes with Start‑Up Loans?
12 months of free business mentoring are included.

🔹 What funding does the Development Bank of Wales offer?
Loans and equity from £1,000 to several million, tailored to business needs.

▫️ Can I apply for multiple grants?
Yes—if each funds a different aspect (e.g., feasibility vs capital equipment) and meets eligibility.

Value AD

2025

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

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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