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    Last update 22/07/2025

    2025 Grants and Loans for Small Businesses in Gosport, UK


    🔹 Introduction

    Gosport Borough Council actively supports startups and small businesses via national and local schemes access offer grants, government-backed loans, mentoring, and advisory programmes tailored to your business needs.


    🔹 Available Grants

    Crowdfunder Solent Grant Fund

    • Purpose: Offers match‑funding grants for small local businesses to reach their crowdfunding targets.

    • Amount: Up to £2,000 for micro‑businesses (<10 employees); up to £5,000 for small businesses (<50 employees) (Invest In Gosport, Startup Grant).

    • Eligibility: Businesses based in Gosport within the Solent LEP area.

    • Apply: Via Solent LEP’s Crowdfunder platform—listed through Invest in Gosport.


    Manufacturing Growth Programme

    • Purpose: Grants to commission specialist advice for growth and development in manufacturing SMEs.

    • Amount: £1,000–£3,340 (typically covering one-third of an improvement project) (Invest In Gosport, Startup Grant).

    • Eligibility: Manufacturing SMEs in the Gosport/Solent region.

    • Apply: Through Invest in Gosport / Solent Growth Hub links.


    GetSet Solent Grant (via Solent Growth Hub)

    • Purpose: Supports ambitious businesses with growth-readiness grants alongside training and mentoring.

    • Amount: Up to £25,000 depending on growth proposals (Invest In Gosport, Invest In Gosport).

    • Eligibility: High-growth, product- or service-related businesses in the Solent LEP area.


    Community Fund & Digital Growth Support

    • Purpose: Council-run support includes up to £5,000 for community-led projects and extensive free digital mentoring and website support funded via UKSPF (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk).

    • Eligibility: Community organisations and small businesses aiming to improve digital capability.


    🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

    Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

    • Amount: £500–£25,000; fixed 6% interest; plus mentoring and planning support (Invest In Gosport).

    • Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading for less than 36 months.

    • Apply: Official GOV .UK “Apply for a Start‑Up Loan” page.


    Additional Finance (via Solent / Growth Hub)

    • Schemes Include: R&D tax relief, Innovate UK competitions, Tradeshow Access Programme, export finance schemes—all accessible via Solent Growth Hub and Gov.uk (Startup Grant, Invest In Gosport).

    • Loans & Equity:
      Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme – loans up to £4,000–£5,000 and mentoring (Invest In Gosport).
      Finance South East – equity and co-investment loans for high‑growth SMEs (£50,000–£250,000) (Invest In Gosport).


    🔹 Local Support & Grant Programmes

    Invest in Gosport (Gosport Borough Council)

    • Services: Business mentoring, grant guidance, funding signposting (including Crowdfunder Solent and Manufacturing Growth grants).

    • Support Provided: Digital workshops, business events, and promotion via digital and Solent Ambassador network (Invest In Gosport, Discover Gosport).


    New “Made Smarter” Digital Manufacturing Support

    • Purpose: Offers 1‑to‑1 mentoring, technical assessment, and matched grants up to £20,000 for manufacturing SMEs.

    • Eligibility: Gosport-area manufacturers adopting digital tech (Startup Grant, gosport.gov.uk).


    🔹 Eligibility Guidance

    • Use GOVERN‑U.K.'s [Business Finance & Support Finder] to explore national funding.

    • Reach out to Invest in Gosport or Solent Growth Hub for tailored grant and loan advice.


    🔹 Application Process

    1. Clarify funding need – whether it's growth, digital, manufacturing, or community-led.

    2. Match with suitable scheme – national, regional, council-led, or sector-specific.

    3. Confirm eligibility – check size, location, sector criteria.

    4. Prepare documentation – business plans, quotes, forecasts, proposal narratives.

    5. Apply online – via GOV .UK, Invest in Gosport, or Growth Hub portals.

    6. Follow through – monitor progress and promptly respond to requests.


    🔹 Additional Tips

    • Use GMAX Card networking to build local business connections.

    • Attend Gosport Borough Council’s digital and business events.

    • Stay updated through newsletters from the council, Growth Hub, and GOV .UK.


    🔹 Contact & Further Information


    âť“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

     

    🔹 What grants are available in Gosport?
    You can access Crowdfunder Solent (up to £5,000), Manufacturing Growth Programme (£1k–£3,340), GetSet Solent (£1k–£25k), community grants up to £5,000, and digital support funded via UKSPF.

     

    🔹 How much can I borrow through Start‑Up Loans?
    You’re eligible for a loan between £500 and £25,000, repayable over 1–5 years at a fixed 6% interest rate.

     

    🔹 Who is eligible for the Manufacturing Growth Programme?
    Manufacturing SMEs in the Solent area, including Gosport, can receive up to £3,340 to fund specialist business advice.

     

    🔹 How do I get help with digital business improvements?
    The Made Smarter initiative offers mentoring and matched grants up to £20,000; Invest in Gosport provides free workshops and digital clinics.

     

    🔹 Are there grants for community or non-profit projects?
    Yes. Community Fund grants typically offer up to £5,000 for inclusive local projects (Invest In Gosport, The Business Magazine, Discover Gosport, Invest In Gosport, Startup Grant, solentlep.org.uk, gosport.gov.uk).

     

    🔹 What should my application include?
    Include clear objectives, market insight, proposed investment return/use of funds, timeline, and financial projections.

     

    🔹 How often do grant rounds open?
    Schemes vary—Crowdfunder Solent, digital and manufacturing support are ongoing; others may be seasonal or campaign-based.

     

    🔹 Who can help with applications?
    Invest in Gosport and Solent Growth Hub advisers offer support. Use council events and networking events for peer advice.

     

    🔹 Where do I start?

    1. Identify your business priorities.

    2. Find relevant schemes.

    3. Confirm eligibility.

    4. Contact support teams.

    5. Apply.

    6. Follow up promptly.

     

     

     

     

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