Business innovation grants available
Businesses are encouraged to see if they are eligible for a grant which could help them diversify.
The individual business grants, of up to £10,000, or up to £50,000 for organisations helping other businesses, are designed to help those planning to introduce new ideas or changes to improve their business.
This could result in new products or services, new or improved business processes, changes in the way products are marketed, or the introduction of new technology.
The business innovation grant fund, of up to £1million, is part of the way the council is continuing to support businesses through the pandemic period. The funding is coming from the government’s Business Rates Grants discretionary fund (Additional Restrictions Grant).
The scheme is targeted at existing Slough based businesses which don’t have a turnover exceeding £600,000 and with fewer than 250 staff.
Organisations in Slough which offer support to other businesses can also apply, with applications judged by a council led panel.
Councillor Balvinder S Bains, cabinet member for inclusive growth and skills, said: “Businesses have had a huge amount of uncertainty over these past months. They might now be considering changes to their business to capture a different market, or to slightly change their offering.
“Anything we can do to offer them some support is great news. I would really encourage any eligible businesses, or organisations which support other Slough businesses, to consider making an application. Make sure to create a good business case to really show off what you could do with the grant funding.”
For all applications, there must be a deliverable and well considered business plan submitted.
Before submitting the 2,500 word innovation grant application statement, businesses need to read the statement guidance at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/7
Full details for individual businesses are at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/5 and for organisations which support businesses at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/6
If additional support is needed to complete the application, email bratesinnovation@slough.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 21 May. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.
The individual business grants, of up to £10,000, or up to £50,000 for organisations helping other businesses, are designed to help those planning to introduce new ideas or changes to improve their business.
This could result in new products or services, new or improved business processes, changes in the way products are marketed, or the introduction of new technology.
The business innovation grant fund, of up to £1million, is part of the way the council is continuing to support businesses through the pandemic period. The funding is coming from the government’s Business Rates Grants discretionary fund (Additional Restrictions Grant).
The scheme is targeted at existing Slough based businesses which don’t have a turnover exceeding £600,000 and with fewer than 250 staff.
Organisations in Slough which offer support to other businesses can also apply, with applications judged by a council led panel.
Councillor Balvinder S Bains, cabinet member for inclusive growth and skills, said: “Businesses have had a huge amount of uncertainty over these past months. They might now be considering changes to their business to capture a different market, or to slightly change their offering.
“Anything we can do to offer them some support is great news. I would really encourage any eligible businesses, or organisations which support other Slough businesses, to consider making an application. Make sure to create a good business case to really show off what you could do with the grant funding.”
For all applications, there must be a deliverable and well considered business plan submitted.
Before submitting the 2,500 word innovation grant application statement, businesses need to read the statement guidance at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/7
Full details for individual businesses are at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/5 and for organisations which support businesses at www.slough.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-and-business-rates/6
If additional support is needed to complete the application, email bratesinnovation@slough.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 21 May. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.
