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Last update 20/07/2025

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Grants & Government‑Backed Loans in Islington (2025 Edition)

Islington Council supports startups and small businesses through a mix of government-backed loans, local grants, and regional and national business support programmes.

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

Start‑Up Loans
Loans between £500 – £25,000, at ~6 % APR, with 12 months of mentoring via the British Business Bank.
👉 Start‑Up Loans
Recovery Loan Scheme / British Business Bank
Recovery funding remains accessible to viable UK SMEs with turnover below £45 million—visit Islington Council’s business finance pages for details. (islington.gov.uk, London City Hall)

🔹 Local Support & Grants

✅ Islington Business Resilience Programme (ARE)

• Grants up to £2,000 via Action for Race Equality, alongside workshops, consultancy, and peer learning.
• Open to micro/small businesses trading 1–5 years in Islington, especially led by underrepresented founders. (actionforraceequality.org.uk)

✅ Circular Economy Grants

• Up to £5,000 for SMEs to launch waste-reducing, sustainable practices under UKSPF. (islington.media)

✅ Energy Efficiency Grants

• “Energising Small Business” grants up to £1,500, extended to £5,000 for heat pump installation and energy-saving upgrades. (Islington Sustainability Network)

✅ Cultural & Community Event Grants

• £5,000–£10,000 for local businesses, community groups, or residents organising cultural events in Crouch Hill, Newington Green, or King’s Square. Completed by February 2025. (islington.gov.uk)

✅ Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Discounted Membership

• Two-year reduced-rate memberships (from £50–£150, depending on company size). (islington.gov.uk, islington.moderngov.co.uk)

✅ Market Traders & Shopfront Improvement Grants

• UKSPF-funded business adaptation schemes offer grants for physical accessibility improvements, shopfront upgrades, pavement licence expenses, and more. (islington.moderngov.co.uk)

✅ “Building Greener” Accelerator Grants

• Up to £7,500 per startup in green innovation programmes, plus mentoring and pitch support. (democracy.islington.gov.uk)

🔹 Regional & National Support

Greater London Authority (GLA)
UKSPF-backed London-wide programmes for funding, net-zero, and green innovation. (London City Hall)
Private Investment
Angel and VC funding is available; explore introductions via local events or growth hubs.

💡 How to Access Funding

1. Define your goal – e.g. resilience boost, green tech, cultural project.
2. Check eligibility – location, business size, sector.
3. Engage early – apply for the Resilience programme, circular grants, or event funding.
4. Prepare a business/project plan – outcomes, budget, timeline.
5. Use local support – email BusinessSupport@islington.gov.uk or visit Islington Council’s business page to book help. (islington.gov.uk)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What grants can Islington startups access?
• Business Resilience grants (£2k)
• Circular Economy grants (£5k)
• Energy Efficiency grants (£1.5k–£5k)
• Cultural Event grants (£5k–£10k)
• Green Accelerator grants (£7.5k)

Q2: Who is eligible for the Resilience grant?
• Micro/small businesses (0–49 staff), trading 1–5 years in Islington, especially from underrepresented groups. (actionforraceequality.org.uk, islington.media, Islington Sustainability Network, actionforraceequality.org.uk)

Q3: How do I apply for circular economy funding?
• SMEs with under 50 staff can apply on Islington Council’s “Circular economy grants” page. (islington.media)

Q4: Can I get support for heat pumps or LED upgrades?
• Yes – through grants up to £5k for energy-saving equipment. (Islington Sustainability Network)

Q5: What cultural event grants are available?
• £5k–£10k for events in defined town centre locations (by Feb 2025). (islington.gov.uk)

Q6: Who can I contact for help?
• Islington Business Support: call 020 7527 2000, email BusinessSupport@islington.gov.uk (islington.media)
• Action for Race Equality (Resilience programme): email Tara@actionforraceequality.org.uk (actionforraceequality.org.uk)

🧭 Next Steps

Apply for: Resilience, Circular, Energy, Event, or Green Accelerator grants.
Prepare: Plans and quotes before grant deadlines.
Engage: with support via emailing BusinessSupport@islington.gov.uk or ARE’s programme.
Monitor: GLA and UKSPF announcements via Islington Council 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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