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Last update 20/07/2025

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

Introduction

Conwy County Borough Council supports a vibrant local economy by offering a diverse mix of grants and government-backed loans tailored to foster entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

Available Grants

🔹 Conwy Business Support Grant

Purpose: Helps small businesses, social enterprises, and farm diversifiers with capital purchases, marketing, and specialist training.
Amount: £200–£1,500, covering up to 50% of eligible costs; exceptional projects may receive higher funding (syob.net, Conwy Business Centre).
Apply: Through the Conwy Business Support Grants portal.

🔹 Conwy Supporting Local Business Key Fund (UKSPF Transitional 2025/26)

Purpose: Supports growth and innovation via capital/revenue projects.
Amount: £5,000–£50,000, covering up to 70% of eligible costs (Conwy Business Centre).
Eligibility: Businesses trading for six months+, under EU SME thresholds, and based in Conwy (conwy.gov.uk).
Status: Open from 25 June 2025 (Facebook).
Apply: Via Conwy Business Centre when applications open.

🔹 Rural Development Programme (RDP)

Purpose: Provides discretionary funding to boost economic activity in rural parts of Conwy (LEADER 2024–2025) (conwy.gov.uk).
Apply: Through Conwy’s Local Action Group (Conwy Cynhaliol) in partnership with Council and Business Wales.

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Amount: £500–£25,000 personal loans with 12 months of mentoring.
Apply: At startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Development Bank of Wales

Purpose: Offers loans and equity from £1,000 to several million.
Apply: Via developmentbank.wales

Key Resources

Business Wales – National support hub for mentoring, funding research, and training.
Conwy Business Support – Local portal for grant and loan opportunities.
Conwy Business Centre – Application point for UKSPF schemes and local grants.

Council Contact Information

📞 01492 574000
✉️ business@conwy.gov.uk
🌐 Grant & funding pages via the Conwy County Borough Council website.

Advice on Applying

Engage early with Business Wales, Conwy Business Centre, or Council advisors.
Confirm eligibility and required match funding.
Prepare a polished application with a clear business plan, cost breakdowns, and forecasts.
Submit on time—align with scheme deadlines or until funds are fully allocated.
Utilise mentoring and local support when developing your proposal.

Additional Insights

The UKSPF Transitional Fund launches 25 June 2025 and supports projects up to £50k at 70% funding (conwy.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk, GOV.WALES, conwy.gov.uk, Conwy Business Centre).
The RDP (LEADER scheme) remains active into 2025, focused on rural economic development (startupgrant.co.uk).
Local business centre updates are posted on their website and social media—join the Conwy Business Centre mailing list for notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What's the max I can get via the Business Support Grant?
Up to £1,500 at 50% match funding; higher amounts may be awarded for exceptional projects (Conwy Business Centre).

▫️ What’s the UKSPF Key Fund and how much is available?
A new 2025 transitional fund with grants of £5,000–£50,000 covering up to 70% of eligible costs (Conwy Business Centre, Facebook).

🔹 Am I eligible for the UKSPF fund?
Yes, if your business has traded for at least six months, meets SME criteria, and is based in Conwy (conwy.gov.uk).

▫️ What support is available for rural businesses?
The RDP/LEADER programme offers discretionary grants via Conwy Cynhaliol and Conwy Council (conwy.gov.uk).

🔹 What loan options can I access?
Start‑Up Loans (up to £25,000 + mentoring) and Development Bank of Wales funding (up to millions).

▫️ Is mentoring included with the Start‑Up Loan?
Yes — 12 months of free business mentoring is included.

🔹 Can I apply for both a grant and a loan?
Yes, if they fund different parts of your project and you meet each scheme’s criteria.

▫️ How do I apply for the UKSPF Key Fund?
Applications open 25 June 2025 via Conwy Business Centre—register on their site for updates.

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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