CAN BE
ALTERNATIVE
INVESTMENT

Stirling Council and partner agencies offer diverse grants and government-backed loans via Business Gateway Stirling, STEP (Stirling Enterprise Park), and other regional funding programmes to support local entrepreneurship, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Contact Business Gateway Stirling
Expert advisors provide tailored funding guidance and application support via the STEP-operated Business Gateway. (startupgrant.co.uk, Invest in Stirling, Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
Understand Eligibility Criteria
Each funding stream has specific criteria, such as geography, business stage, or match-funding requirements.
Prepare a Strong Application
Include a coherent business plan, financial projections, cost estimates, and, where relevant, details on job creation or carbon savings.
Meet Deadlines
Be aware of application timelines. Some grants (like Premises Improvement) close on 8 August 2025. (startupgrant.co.uk, Stirling Council)
Seek Extra Support
STEP, Business Gateway, and Business Energy Scotland can assist with planning, green measures, and grant applications. (Stirling Council)
Amount: Up to £1,000 for brand-new Stirling businesses. (stepscotland.co.uk)
Purpose: Supports early-stage idea development and entrepreneurship.
Purpose: Supports aspiring social entrepreneurs.
Amount: Up to £5,000 for start-up costs (incorporation, branding, etc.). (LinkedIn, startupgrant.co.uk)
Amount: Up to £25,000, 50% matched funding. (goforthstirling.co.uk)
Focus: Supports innovation, digital transformation, job creation, and energy efficiency. (Invest in Stirling)
Amount: £2,000–£20,000 per business, from a total UKSPF-funded pot of £200,000. (Stirling Council)
Purpose: Enhances façade, energy efficiency, and townscape; projects must be completed by 31 Mar 2026. (Stirling Council)
Programme: For ambitious businesses (across key sectors) planning significant turnover and job growth. (Invest in Stirling)
Go Forth Stirling BID Member Grants: 50% funding up to £500. (goforthstirling.co.uk)
Community & Environment Grants: £100–£800 for local groups; up to £10,000 via Clackmannanshire & Stirling Environment Trust. (Stirling Council)
Community Enterprise Grant: UKSPF-funded, £3,000–£5,000 for social enterprise ventures. (Stirling Council)
Start‑Up Loans: £500–£25,000 personal loans with mentoring—available UK-wide via Business Gateway.
Business Loans & Recovery Loan Scheme: Provided through Business Loans Scotland and the British Business Bank via accredited lenders. (startupgrant.co.uk)
Business Gateway Stirling (via STEP): Comprehensive support for funding readiness and access. (Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
Funding Stirling: Stirling Council’s online toolkit to browse local funding programmes. (Stirling Council)
STEP (Stirling Enterprise Park): Incubator space, strategic guidance, growth advice. (Invest in Stirling)
Phone: +44 1786 404040
Email: info@stirling.gov.uk
Grant Inquiries: supportfund@stirling.gov.uk (especially for Premises Improvement) (startupgrant.co.uk, Stirling Council)
Online: Stirling Council’s Funding section and Business Gateway Stirling website.
🔹 What’s the STEP Start-Up Grant?
A one-off £1,000 grant for new Stirling businesses. (startupgrant.co.uk, stepscotland.co.uk)
▫️ Tell me about the Business Resilience Fund.
Offers up to £25,000 for matched innovative, digital, job-creating, or green projects. (startupgrant.co.uk, Invest in Stirling)
🔹 Can I improve my shop front?
Yes, via UKSPF Premises Improvement—£2,000–£20,000 grants, closing 8 Aug 2025. (Stirling Council, Stirling Council)
▫️ Where does social enterprise funding come from?
The Firstport Start It programme offers grants up to £5,000 for early-stage social ventures. (LinkedIn)
🔹 Can I get a government-backed loan?
Yes—from Start‑Up Loans or Business Loans Scotland, with mentoring and support. (startupgrant.co.uk)
▫️ What support does STEP provide?
Affordable workspace and incubation support, alongside pitching and investor readiness via Gateway to Investment. (Invest in Stirling)
🔹 Are there small grants for BID members?
Yes—Go Forth BID offers matched funding up to £500 for member businesses. (goforthstirling.co.uk)
▫️ Is there funding for community groups?
Yes—£100–£800 via Stirling Council grants; up to £10,000 from the Environment Trust. (Stirling Council)
🔹 When do funded projects need to finish?
Projects under UKSPF grants (e.g. Premises Improvement) must be completed by 31 March 2026. (Stirling Council, Stirling Council)
▫️ How do I apply?
Contact Business Gateway Stirling or email the supportfund mailbox for the Premises grant; use Funding Stirling to explore all schemes.
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:
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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