2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl
This guide outlines current and upcoming funding and loan opportunities available to startups and small businesses in St Albans City & District. Grants that have closed are removed or clearly annotated.
Purpose: Support community-led projects aligned with equality, inclusion, digital access, youth, older people and health priorities.
Grant size: £200–£2,000 per project.
Round 1 (2025): Closed 30 June 2025.
Round 2: Opens late August–September 2025; Round 3 expected January 2026, subject to funding. Projects to be completed by 31 March 2026. (stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk)
Who can apply: Constituted voluntary/community organisations, social enterprises, CICs serving St Albans residents.
Apply via: www.stalbans.gov.uk/grants – check updates for Round 2 opening.
Support: Communities 1st offers application help (vcsgrants@stalbans.gov.uk). (stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk)
Purpose: Small grants of £1,000 (start-up) or £3,000 (up to 3 years trading) for local businesses attending free advice/training.
Status: See requirement via Wenta Rundown – ensure up-to-date guidance via Growth Hub.St Albans (STANTA). No confirmed 2025 fund; please check local enterprise agencies. (syob.net, hertsgrowthhub.com)
Offer: Up to £25,000 per founder, with free mentoring support.
Eligibility: Businesses trading less than 24 months.
Apply via: GOV.UK Start‑Up Loan scheme.
Offer: Loans up to £2 million for growth, working capital or export, via accredited lenders.
Apply via: British Business Bank portal.
Provides free business advice, workshops, GrantFinder access, and support to apply for Council and national schemes. ([turn0search3]).
Offers support, workshops, mentoring and signposting to suitable grants and finance options, including local town centre support.
For Community Project Fund grants: your organisation must serve St Albans residents, be constituted and aligned to inclusion priorities. Check Round 2 criteria.
Business grants such as STANTA/Herts Start-Up require attending advisory programmes via Growth Hub or STANTA.
Growth Hub advisors can help match businesses to national loan funding (Start‑Up Loans, RLS).
Identify which support applies: community projects vs business grants vs loans.
Attend information or advisory sessions (e.g., Growth Hub or Communities 1st support).
Draft your project/business plan, outcomes, timeline, cost breakdowns.
Apply via official council forms (Community Project Fund) or through referral networks.
Submit supporting documentation (e.g., constitution, accounts, bank statements for community grants).
Fund deadlines:
Community Project Fund Round 2 expected late Aug–Sept 2025
National loans apply year‑round
If approved, complete your project by 31 March 2026, submit monitoring outputs where required.
Tailor your application to scheme objectives: inclusion, digital access, wellbeing.
Use Growth Hub’s free GrantFinder and workshop sessions to strengthen your proposal.
Network via STANTA events and Growth Hub forums.
Broaden your reach with digital tools such as:
Gmax Card Business Networking
St Albans City & District Council – Community Project Fund info:
www.stalbans.gov.uk/grants (stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk)
Communities 1st Grant Support Contact:
Email: StAlbansGrants@communities1st.org.uk | Phone: 01727 649950 (stalbans.gov.uk)
Hertfordshire Growth Hub – Business Support Services:
www.hertsgrowthhub.com (hertsgrowthhub.com)
STANTA – Start-Up Business Support & Network: via Wenta or local enterprise agencies. (hertsgrowthhub.com, syob.net)
(Extra spacing provided for clarity)
🔹 Is the Community Project Fund open now?
Round 1 closed on 30 June 2025. Round 2 is expected to open in late August or September 2025. A third round may follow in January 2026. Projects must complete by 31 March 2026.
🔹 Who can apply for the Council's community grant?
Constituted voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and CICs delivering time-limited projects that benefit St Albans residents. (stalbans.gov.uk)
🔹 Are there grants for start-up businesses in St Albans?
There is no standalone Council business grant visible for 2025, but businesses accessing advice via STANTA or Herts Growth Hub may be eligible for start‑up support grants—check current availability.
🔹 Which loans can startups access?
Eligible businesses can apply for Start‑Up Loans (up to £25,000) or Recovery Loans (up to £2m) via accredited national lenders.
🔹 Who provides business grants and funding advice?
Hertfordshire Growth Hub and STANTA offer free advisory support, workshops, and funding match services for startups and community groups.
🔹 How do I stay informed about future funding rounds?
Subscribe to St Albans Council newsletters, Growth Hub updates, and look out for news on the council grants page.
Value Ad helps new businesses save 50% to 80% on essential services like marketing and
development. These savings act as an alternative investment, fueling growth.
Service providers gain valuable initial customers, helping them grow and attract investment.
It's a win-win for everyone!
This App/website is not affiliated with any government agency. We collect and organize information from publicly available government websites and provide direct links to these official sources.
For accurate details and to apply for grants or loans, please visit the relevant government websites linked within the App/website.
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:
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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:
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Alternative Investment for New Businesses:
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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.
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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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