Be the Business Start and Grow Grants

Following the success of the first round of the Be the Business start and grow grants, West Sussex County Council are pleased to announce that they have invested further in the Be the Business programme for 2014-2015. A pot of £180,000 is available to help businesses to start-up and to grow in West Sussex.

This programme is for start-ups, early-stage companies (1-2 years) and for established and growing businesses in West Sussex where, if applicable, the business rates are/will be paid. Businesses planning to relocate in West Sussex are also eligible but if successful, the grant will only be paid after relocation has taken place. The programme is open to micro and Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in West Sussex.

Applicants will be required to provide at least 50% of the total project costs as match-funding. The business proposal must be linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in West Sussex.

This year, 50% of the funding available will be dedicated to specific sectors we wish to encourage to come forward with their ideas, particularly to submit bids with other businesses in the same sector to address problems they have in common.

These sectors are:
    Manufacturing, particularly linked to healthcare, aviation or marine industry
    Low carbon and renewable technologies
    Tourism and local food
    Care
    Land based businesses

The remaining 50% of the fund will be open to applications from all sectors. Please note we reserve the right to change these allocations depending on demand.

The maximum amount of grant that can be requested for any individual project is £25,000. The maximum amount that can be requested for any sector project submitted in consortium is £75,000. Only sector projects can be submitted in consortium

The list below gives some examples of the type of activities which could be eligible for grants:
    Purchase of machinery and equipment
    Premises refurbishment/expansion
    Feasibility work relating to business expansion
    Development and implementation of business strategies to improve sales and commercial performance
    Knowledge transfer-related activities
    Product development
    Efficiency improvements

NB: This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider other projects where applicants need financial support to sustain and grow their business.

Guidelines, Application Form and Grant Acceptance terms are all available to download at http://www.bethebusiness.org/grants/ If you would like more information on the Start Up and Grow Grants please contact: info@bethebusiness.org