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Last update 01/08/2025

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2025 Grants and Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in South Cambridgeshire, UK

Introduction

This guide highlights the latest support available in 2025 for startups and small businesses in South Cambridgeshire. You'll find information on grants, government-backed loans, and local business support, along with eligibility criteria, application steps, and official contacts.

Available Grants

Small Business Grant Scheme (via CPCA UKSPF)

Purpose: Support local micro and small businesses to grow and innovate.
Funding: Grants of up to £5,000 per business (CPCA Growth Hub).
Eligibility: Registered and trading businesses in South Cambridgeshire with up to nine employees (CPCA Growth Hub).
Apply: Email businessgrants@scambs.gov.uk quoting ‘Small Business Grant’ for guidance (CPCA Growth Hub).
Status: Available during the financial year 2024–25 until allocated funds are exhausted (CPCA Growth Hub).

Improving the High Street Grant (South Cambridgeshire District Council)

Purpose: Enhance front elevations and ambience of high streets to boost footfall and local trade.
Funding: Grants between £5,000 and £20,000 per project (South Cambs District Council).
Eligibility: Small independent businesses, community groups, or parish councils operating on a recognised high street within the district (South Cambs District Council).
Apply: Applications open monthly from July until funds are allocated; projects must comply with planning permissions (South Cambs District Council).

Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)

Purpose: Support rural business growth, diversification, community development, and digital infrastructure.
Funding: Grants from £10,000 to £50,000 (cambridgenetwork.co.uk).
Eligibility: Micro‑to‑medium enterprises, sole traders, social enterprises, and charities operating in rural South Cambridgeshire (cambridgenetwork.co.uk).
Apply: Funding open from 24 July to 24 August 2025, or until fully allocated (cambridgenetwork.co.uk).

Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Jumpstart (Closed)

Purpose: Provided early-stage grant funding (up to £5,000) and support for local startups (CPCA Growth Hub).
Status: The Jumpstart programme is no longer accepting applications, with previous rounds now closed (South Cambs District Council).

Green Business Impact Programme (UKSPF)

Purpose: Help SMEs reduce carbon impact via expert consultancy and capital match funding up to £5,000.
Status: Ran Sept 2023–March 2025 and now closed (South Cambs District Council).

Government‑Backed Loans

Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Purpose: Personal loans to grow or start a business.
Amount: £500–£25,000 with fixed interest (approx. 6% p.a.), repayable up to 5 years, including 12 months’ free mentoring (startupgrant.co.uk).
Eligibility: UK resident, business trading under 36 months, viable business plan (startupgrant.co.uk).
Apply: Via the official Start‑Up Loans website on GOV.UK.

Growth Guarantee Scheme

Purpose: Successor to Recovery Loan Scheme. Provides lender-backed guarantees for SMEs seeking business loans.
Status: Live since July 2024 (see British Business Bank) — check eligibility via official portal (startupgrant.co.uk, startupgrant.co.uk).

Local Council & LEP Support

Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire (BIPC)

Offers free or low-cost business support, one-to-one advice, IP guidance, workshops, and resources (Cambridgeshire County Council).

CPCA Growth Hub & Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

Provide specialist support aligned with UKSPF-funded programmes across the area, including South Cambridgeshire.

Eligibility Guidance

Use the GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder to discover national grants and loans.
Contact the Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire or the CPCA Growth Hub for tailored start-up advice via postcode and business stage.
Email businessgrants@scambs.gov.uk or sharedprosperityfund@scambs.gov.uk for eligibility questions and grant guidance.

Application Process

Identify grant or loan options relevant to your business stage and sector.
Check eligibility via official guidance or by contacting the relevant body.
Gather documents: business plan, forecasts, registration, ID, bank statements, quotations, match funding proof (if required).
Submit an application or Expression of Interest as instructed by the grant page or scheme.
If shortlisted, complete a further detailed application.
Await decision. For successful grants, report on outputs (e.g. job creation, carbon reduction) as required.

Additional Tips

Networking & Mentoring: Attend BIPC and Growth Hub events to meet peers and advisors.
Digital Learning: Engage with webinars and workshops covering finance, marketing, IP, and sustainability.
Recommended Platform: Use https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking for wider UK business networking opportunities.

Contact & Further Information

South Cambridgeshire District Council – Grants & Funding: Official grants page via UKSPF and district schemes (South Cambs District Council, startupgrant.co.uk)
South Cambs Business Email: businessgrants@scambs.gov.uk / sharedprosperityfund@scambs.gov.uk
BIPC Cambridgeshire: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/business-intellectual-property-centre-cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire County Council)
CPCA Growth Hub channels for requests and guidance.

FAQs

🔹 What grants are available in South Cambridgeshire in 2025?
The Small Business Grant Scheme (up to £5,000) and the Improving the High Street Grant (up to £20,000). The Rural England Prosperity Fund (up to £50,000) is also accepting applications mid-2025.

🔹 Is BIPC Jumpstart still open?
No — that grant programme has now closed (South Cambs District Council, South Cambs District Council).

🔹 Can I still apply for the Recovery Loan Scheme?
No — it closed in 2024. Current options include Start‑Up Loans (up to £25,000) and the Growth Guarantee Scheme.

🔹 Who qualifies for Start‑Up Loans?
UK residents over 18 with a business trading for less than 36 months and a robust business plan.

🔹 What does the Improving the High Street Grant fund?
External enhancements to shopfronts and public high street areas—repairs, decoration, signage, street art, planting, lighting, etc. (startupgrant.co.uk, South Cambs District Council).

🔹 How much documentation is required?
Expect: business registration, ID, business plan, financial projections, bank statements, quotations, and evidence of match funding if required.

🔹 How can I find local events, workshops or mentoring?
Visit the BIPC Cambridgeshire and CPCA Growth Hub websites for calendars and registration.

🔹 Who should I contact for eligibility help?
Email businessgrants@scambs.gov.uk or sharedprosperityfund@scambs.gov.uk, or reach out via the Growth Hub contact channels.

Value AD

2025

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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.

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