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Last update 20/07/2025

2025 Grants & Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in Mid Ulster, NI

🔹 Introduction

Mid Ulster District Council is dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurship. This guide outlines the top grant and loan options available in 2025 for those starting or growing a small business in Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Coalisland, and surrounding rural areas.

🔹 Grant Programmes

1. Mid Ulster Town Business ‘Spruce Up’ Scheme

Purpose: Offers up to 80% funding (max £4,000) for minor internal/external improvements to town-centre properties.
Coverage: Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Coalisland.
Recent Round: Supported 117 businesses with £373,528 this year (midulstercouncil.org, midulstercouncil.org, Public Notice Portal, Facebook).
Who Runs It: Funded by Department for Communities and administered by the Council (Public Notice Portal).
Link & Info: Mid Ulster Council – News on Spruce Up Scheme (midulstercouncil.org)

2. 2025/26 Grant Aid Programme (Rolling Grants)

Includes: Irish language support, community grants, sports applications, more.
Status: Rolling grants are open now; see full list on Grant Aid Policy 2025–26 page (midulstercouncil.org).
Link & Info: Mid Ulster Council – Grant Aid (midulstercouncil.org)

3. Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (DAERA)

Purpose: Small-capital grant (50% match funding) for equipment, machinery, e‑commerce setup.
Amounts: £500–£4,999.
Eligibility: Rural micro-businesses (<10 staff, trading) (daera-ni.gov.uk).
Link & Info: DAERA – RBDGS Guidance (daera-ni.gov.uk)

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

💼 Start‑Up Loans

Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed 6%
Includes: 12 months mentoring
Eligibility: UK residents, 18+, business under 3 years
Link: GOV.UK Apply for Start‑Up Loan

🔹 Key Resources & Support

Mid Ulster Council – Business Support & Funding
Find local funding info, Grant Aid, business clinics (daera-ni.gov.uk, id-ni.eco, id-ni.eco, midulstercouncil.org, midulstercouncil.org)
Invest Northern Ireland
Offers regional funding, innovation vouchers, growth support
Innovation Loans & Net Zero Programmes
Mentioned in Mid Ulster Business News: Innovation Loans, Net Zero support, Explore It, Trade Missions (idni.eco, midulstercouncil.org)

🔹 Application Process

Identify your funding need (facelift, equipment, digitisation, community)
Check eligibility and deadlines
Prepare documents: quotes, specs, business plan, forecasts, ID
Attend clinics (for Spruce‑Up) or diagnostics if required
Submit via Council portal or GOV.UK
Await approval; timing varies by scheme

🔹 Additional Tips

Join business clinics for the Spruce‑Up Scheme
Subscribe to the Council’s Business E‑Zine for updates (idni.eco, techstartgrants.com, daera-ni.gov.uk, Public Notice Portal, id-ni.eco)
Use networking tools like [GMAX Card – business networking]
Consider combining funding (e.g. RBDGS + Start‑Up Loan)

🔹 Contact & Further Information

Mid Ulster Grants Unit
- Phone: 03000 132 132
- Email: business@midulstercouncil.org (daera-ni.gov.uk, midulstercouncil.org)
Council Offices: Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt (visit during business hours) (midulstercouncil.org)
Start‑Up Loans: as above
DAERA RBDGS: as above

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What is the ‘Spruce Up’ Scheme?
Offers up to 80% funding (max £4k) for small improvements to town‑centre commercial properties in four Mid Ulster towns (daera-ni.gov.uk, midulstercouncil.org).

🔹 Who can apply for rolling grants?
Any community, sports, or Irish-language group; check current grants on the Council website (midulstercouncil.org).

🔹 What’s covered under the Rural Grant Scheme?
Equipment, machinery, e‑commerce sites (£500–£4,999) for rural micro-businesses (daera-ni.gov.uk).

🔹 Can I get a Start‑Up Loan?
Yes—UK wide, up to £25,000 with mentoring included.

🔹 Are there mid‑Ulster innovation or net-zero funds?
Yes—Council business news mentions innovation loans and Net Zero transformation support (idni.eco).

🔹 Where can I get help applying?
Call 03000 132 132 or email business@midulstercouncil.org for advice and support.

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.

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.