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Last update 01/08/2025

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2025 Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups and Small Businesses in Chesterfield, UK

Introduction

If you're launching or growing a business in Chesterfield, there are several official grant schemes, government-backed loans, and regional support services available in 2025. This guide outlines the funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, application steps, and key contacts.

Available Grants

🔹 Vision Derbyshire Business Start‑Up & Business Support Grant Scheme

Purpose: Offers business advisors and grants to help new enterprises across Chesterfield and Derbyshire.
Grant Size: Up to £10,000 (typically covering 50% of eligible costs).
Eligibility: Applicants within 12 months of business registration, including youth (17–30) or older entrepreneurs impacted by COVID‑19 (startupgrant.co.uk, Destination Chesterfield, derbyshire.gov.uk).
How to Apply: Contact a local Derbyshire Business Adviser to register interest and access funding (D2N2 Growth Hub).

🔹 Chesterfield Accelerator (UKSPF Funded)

Purpose: Provides 1:1 support, mentoring, workshops, networking, sustainability advice, and access to growth vouchers.
Coverage: Chesterfield-based businesses at all stages, including start-ups and high-growth ventures.
Programme Duration: Active until 31 March 2026 (East Midlands Combined County Authority).
Apply: Register via the D2N2 Growth Hub Chesterfield Accelerator portal (East Midlands Combined County Authority).

🔹 Haatch D2N2 Early-Stage Angel Investment Fund (ESAIF)

Purpose: Provides equity investment to early-stage firms trading between six and twenty-four months.
Fund Size: Around £8 m jointly by Haatch and D2N2.
Eligibility & Access: Pitch-based funding via Haatch (Destination Chesterfield, chesterfield.gov.uk).

🔹 Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II)

Purpose: Loan and equity finance for businesses across the Midlands.
Loan Size: £25,000–£2 million with equity options to £5 million.
Eligibility: SMEs across Derbyshire, including Chesterfield (Destination Chesterfield).

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Loan Size: £500–£25,000 per founder; fixed ~6% APR; repayable up to 5 years.
Support Included: 12 months’ mentoring and business planning support.
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+ with businesses trading under 36 months.
Apply via GOV.UK and through local growth advisors.

Local & Regional Support

🔹 Chesterfield Borough Council – Business Support

Free, impartial advice and guidance on funding, planning, training, and innovation.
Contact: Adrian Williamson, Innovation Support Project Manager. Email via Business Support Hub (chesterfield.gov.uk).

🔹 D2N2 Growth Hub

Cost-free support: finance searches, grant signposting, workshops, and Chesterfield Accelerator referrals.
Phone: 0333 006 9178 (East Midlands Combined County Authority).

🔹 East Midlands Chamber Accelerator Programme

Offers workshops, leadership training vouchers, funding diagnostics, and decarbonisation support.
Active across the East Midlands regions, including Chesterfield (Destination Chesterfield).

Eligibility & Application Guidance

Use GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder to search national funding options.
For Derbyshire-wide grant applications, email business@derbyshire.gov.uk (derbyshire.gov.uk, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire).
Typical documents: business plan, forecasts, quotes, bank statements, registration, and match funding proof.

Application Process

Select a suitable grant or loan based on your business needs.
Confirm eligibility through official sources or via the Growth Hub contact.
Compile required documents.
Submit Expression of Interest or full application as instructed.
If shortlisted, proceed with the full application.
Await decision and comply with required reporting or repayment measures.

Additional Tips

Attend Chesterfield Accelerator workshops for growth-related learning and networking (D2N2 Growth Hub, Destination Chesterfield).
Depends on advisor's support via Chesterfield Business Support or D2N2 Growth Hub.
Join industry networks like the Chamber of Commerce and consider using https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking.

Contact & Further Information

Destination Chesterfield Funding & Grants:
https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/funding-and-grants (Destination Chesterfield)
Email business@derbyshire.gov.uk (Vision Derbyshire Grant Enquiries)
D2N2 Growth Hub & Chesterfield Accelerator: https://growthhub.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk/.../chesterfield-accelerator/ (businessinbolsover.co.uk, East Midlands Combined County Authority)

FAQs

🔹 What grants are available in Chesterfield in 2025?
The Vision Derbyshire business grant (up to £10,000), plus support through Chesterfield Accelerator and regional investment funds.

🔹 Can I get support if I'm a pre‑start or early-stage founder?
Yes – Vision Derbyshire supports businesses trading under 12 months, and the Chesterfield Accelerator welcomes firms at all stages (Destination Chesterfield, startupgrant.co.uk).

🔹 Is loan finance available locally?
Yes – the national Start-Up Loans scheme offers up to £25,000 per founder. Larger options like MEIF II offer loans or equity up to £2 million (Destination Chesterfield).

🔹 Can businesses receive both grant and loan support?
Yes—many businesses combine grant funding via Vision Derbyshire with support services from the Accelerator or Growth Hub.

🔹 What documents are usually needed?
You’ll need a business plan, financial forecasts, quotes, ID/business registration, bank statements, and evidence of match funding if required.

🔹 Where can I get help with my application?
Contact a Derbyshire Business Adviser via Vision Derbyshire, B2N2 Growth Hub, or Chesterfield Borough Council business advisers.

🔹 Will Accelerator grant funding be available after March 2026?
Up to March 2026, yes. If successful, plans may be extended—confirm via East Midlands Chamber or D2N2.

Value AD

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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.

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.

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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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