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Last update 20/07/2025

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

Introduction

Newport City Council is committed to building a thriving local business ecosystem. This 2025 guide highlights key grants, government-backed loans, and support services available to help startups and small businesses launch and grow in Newport.

Available Grants

🔹 Newport Business Grants

Purpose: Supports small and medium businesses with equipment, ICT, software, or websites.
Amount: 50% of net costs, up to £2,500 outside the city centre or £5,000 within it (newport.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk)
Eligibility: Open to eligible Newport-based businesses; cannot fund wages, vehicles, signage, marketing, training, leases, stock or property refurbishment (newport.gov.uk)
Status: Scheme reopened in July 2025 and running until funds are exhausted or early 2026 (cityofnewport.wales)
Apply: Via Newport Business Grants portal (My Newport account)

🔹 Accelerated Growth Grant

Purpose: Funds capital investment to help established businesses set up or expand premises.
Amount: Between £25,000 and £75,000, funded via UK Shared Prosperity Fund (cityofnewport.wales)
Eligibility: For established firms or new city-centre businesses; must contact the Business Services team first (cityofnewport.wales)
Apply: Email business.services@newport.gov.uk or call 01633 656656

🔹 Net Zero Newport Business & Community Decarbonisation Programme

Purpose: Supports decarbonisation through energy surveys, efficiency measures, and renewables.
Amount: Match-funded grants up to £30,000 (philbessantltd.co.uk)
Extras: Includes free technical assistance, decarbonisation planning, and networking (philbessantltd.co.uk)
Apply: Contact netzero@newport.gov.uk

🔹 City Centre Placemaking (Transforming Towns)

Purpose: Revitalises city-centre spaces via the national Transforming Towns programme.
Focus: Funding for repurposing vacant units, creating residential floors, and promoting investment (philbessantltd.co.uk, newport.gov.uk)
Apply: Email communitygrants@newport.gov.uk

🔹 Reuse Newport Fund

Purpose: Supports reuse and repair activities aligned with Newport’s net-zero goals.
Amount: Up to £75,000 per project, with a total fund of £200,000 (newport.gov.uk)
Eligibility: Charities, non-profits, or community groups; projects must run between April 2025 and March 2026 (newport.gov.uk)
Apply: Email communitygrants@newport.gov.uk

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Loans to New Businesses

Purpose: Supports pre-start and early-stage businesses (under 12 months trading).
Amount: Up to £1,000 for plant, IT, marketing, building works, etc. (philbessantltd.co.uk, startupgrant.co.uk)
Apply: Through Newport’s Business Financial Support page

🔹 Start‑Up Loans Wales

Purpose: Personal loans with support for new businesses.
Amount: £500 – £25,000 with 12 months mentoring
Apply: https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Development Bank of Wales

Purpose: Debt and equity finance for scaling businesses.
Amount: £1,000 up to £5 million
Apply: https://developmentbank.wales

🔹 Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme

Purpose: Support for 18–30-year-olds via loans, mentoring, and training
Apply: Via Prince’s Trust website

🔹 New Enterprise Allowance (NEA)

Purpose: Supports unemployed people to start businesses while keeping some benefits and accessing loans/mentoring
Apply: Through Jobcentre Plus

Key Resources

Business Wales: National hub — https://businesswales.gov.wales
Newport City Council Business Support: Local grants and loans info — phone 01633 656656, email council@newport.gov.uk
Find Business Support: WG’s funding portal
Welsh ICE: Free business advice for Newport entrepreneurs (newport.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk, Business News Wales)

Eligibility Guidance

✅ Use GOV.UK Business Finance Finder
✅ Check SPF and Transforming Towns criteria on Newport Council’s grants pages
✅ Engage with Newport Business Services or Business Wales for tailored advice

Application Process

Identify the most appropriate grant or loan.
Review eligibility, match-funding, and project scope.
Prepare a polished business plan, budget, and quotes.
Apply via the relevant portal or email address.
Consult Newport Business Services or Business Wales advisors for help.
Track your application and submit any required delivery evidence.

Additional Tips

Tap into free business support via Welsh ICE and Newport’s 5–9 or 9–Noon leadership programmes (newport.gov.uk, philbessantltd.co.uk, startupgrant.co.uk)
Attend networking events to strengthen your application
Use GmaxCard — https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking

Contact & Further Information

Newport City Council Business Services:
📞 01633 656656
✉️ council@newport.gov.uk
Business Wales: https://businesswales.gov.wales

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What is the maximum Newport Business Grant available?
Up to £5,000 for city-centre businesses, or £2,500 for those elsewhere in Newport (startupgrant.co.uk, Business News Wales)

▫️ Who qualifies for the Accelerated Growth Grant?
Both established and new businesses investing in premises or growth activities can apply; contact Business Services to check eligibility (cityofnewport.wales)

🔹 What projects qualify for Net Zero Newport grants?
Eligible projects include energy surveys, insulation, renewables, and equipment installation up to £30,000 (philbessantltd.co.uk)

▫️ Can I combine grants and loans for the same project?
Yes—grants and loans can be combined if funding distinct components and meeting each scheme’s criteria.

🔹 Who is eligible for the Reuse Newport Fund?
Charities, non-profits, and community groups delivering reuse or repair initiatives between April 2025 and March 2026 (startupgrant.co.uk, newport.gov.uk)

▫️ What support comes with Start‑Up Loans Wales?
Loans of £500–£25,000 plus free mentoring during the first year to help build your business well.

🔹 What’s included in the New Enterprise Allowance?
NEA lets new entrepreneurs retain some benefits for up to six months and includes access to a starter loan and mentoring.

▫️ What happens if my grant application is rejected?
You can request feedback, refine your application, and reapply or seek alternative opportunities.

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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