2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Folkestone & Hythe District Council supports local enterprises through various national, regional, and local funding schemes—covering government-backed loans, capital grants, and expert guidance—particularly across rural areas and business hubs.
Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed 6% p.a.
Support: Includes free mentoring and business planning tools
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 36 months
Apply via: 👉 GOV.UK – Apply for a Start‑Up Loan
Purpose: Capital grants to rural businesses and community projects for productivity, connectivity, diversification, and rural infrastructure.
Funds available: Approx. £171k–£180k, running until 31 Jan 2026 or until funds are exhausted (Folkestone Works, Folkestone Works, Startup Grant)
Grants: Typically £2k–£10k, up to 75% of business costs; exceptional cases up to £20k (Folkestone Works)
Eligibility: Rural businesses and communities (≤49 employees) in district rural-designated areas (Folkestone Works)
Apply via: 👉 Folkestone Works – REPF details (Folkestone Works)
Purpose: Helps small businesses become energy-efficient.
Amount: Up to £10,000 covering up to 40% of project cost.
Status: Applications suspended; pending assessment of April 2025 submissions (Folkestone & Hythe District Council)
Purpose: Supports businesses leasing office space in the new hub with fit-outs, furniture, ICT equipment (and possibly rent/business rates offset).
Amount: Up to £10,000 (100% coverage in eligible cases) (Folkestone & Hythe District Council)
Eligibility: Tenants at the Romney Marsh Business Hub (Folkestone & Hythe District Council)
Purpose: Capital growth grants for small and medium enterprises (up to 30% costs).
Amount: £1,000–£10,000 (Folkestone Works)
Eligibility: SMEs/startups in the South East (≤250 staff, <€50m turnover).
Purpose: Supports SMEs in Folkestone town centre & harbour areas.
Amount: £1,000–£7,500 (up to 40% of project cost) (Folkestone Works, Instagram, fhld.uk)
Purpose: Rural development grants for businesses, farmers, foresters, cultural and community organisations (Folkestone Works)
Offers business support, networking, and funding signposting.
Provides investment, relocation, and supply chain advisory services.
Use the GOV.UK Business Finance & Support Finder to explore national schemes.
Confirm eligibility with district Council’s Economic Development team or via Folkestone Works.
Use DEFRA Magic Map to verify rural eligibility for REPF grants.
Clarify your funding need – e.g., rural expansion, green upgrades, hub equipment, growth projects.
Match with schemes – align needs to REPF, Green Grant, Hub grant, SE Boost, etc.
Confirm eligibility – check location (rural/hub/town centre), business size, sector.
Prepare your documents – business plan, cost estimates, forecasts, premises evidence.
Apply – via Gov.UK, Folkestone Works, Chamber platforms, SELEP portals.
Monitor & follow-up – track deadlines, submit supporting info promptly.
Attend info sessions via Folkestone Works (e.g., REPF webinars).
Network with other local businesses and attend Chamber events.
Aim to apply early—REPF and hub grants are competitive.
Add your business to ExperienceFH app for local visibility (Startup Grant, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, folkestone-hythe.moderngov.co.uk, Folkestone Works)
REPF enquiries & rural grant info: Folkestone Works team ➤ email: economy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk • tel. 01303 853287 (Folkestone Works)
Green Grant & Hub Grant: via Folkestone Works portal
Start‑Up Loans: 👉 GOV.UK – Apply for a Start‑Up Loan
South East Business Boost & East Kent LEADER: via SELEP Growth Hub portals
Kent Invicta Chamber: via website contact
Locate in Kent: via website
🔹 What grants are currently available?
REPF for rural capital projects (£2k–£10k; up to £20k in exceptional cases)
Green Business Grant (up to £10k) – temporarily closed
Romney Marsh Hub Grant (£10k)
South East Business Boost (£1k–£10k)
Folkestone town SME grants (£1k–£7.5k)
LEADER rural grants (Folkestone Works, Startup Grant, Folkestone Works, Folkestone & Hythe District Council)
🔹 Who is eligible for REPF grants?
Businesses or community groups in rural-designated areas (≤49 employees), for capital projects (Folkestone Works)
🔹 How can I get the Hub Equipment Grant?
Just sign a lease at the Romney Marsh Business Hub; grants cover fit-out and equipment (Startup Grant, Folkestone & Hythe District Council)
🔹 How much can I borrow via Start‑Up Loans?
£500–£25,000 at fixed 6% interest, with mentoring included.
🔹 What is South East Business Boost?
A growth grant offering £1k–£10k for SMEs/startups in the SELEP region, covering up to 30% of eligible capital spend (Folkestone Works)
🔹 How important is a strong business plan?
Very—essential for demonstrating financial viability and project outcomes.
🔹 Can I apply for multiple grants?
Yes—as long as you meet each scheme’s eligibility and funding rules.
🔹 Where can I get help applying?
Contact Folkestone Works, Kent Invicta Chamber, Locate in Kent, or regional Growth Hubs.
🔹 Where do I begin?
Clarify your project
Check eligibility per scheme
Connect with support teams
Prepare your documents
Submit application
Follow up and respond swiftly
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.
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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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