Small Business Grants

There are many small business grants you can apply for in the UK today. Despite the recession, funds are available for new business Startups right now. We are often asked where or how to get these grants? Well here we will explain how you go about applying for a business grant. There are a couple of options:

Option 1: The UK Government
The government has many sectors and bodies that offer sound advice and some invite you to apply for a grant to start your business. These departments specifically are:

- DTI – Department of Trade and Industry
- Business Link – Google these such as business link Southampton replace Southampton with your town.
- If your in Scotland, there is the Scottish Executive
- Ireland has a body called Enterprise Ireland
- Wales – Single Investment Fund
- National Lottery – Yes they offer business grants..
- UK Sport.Gov – Grants for Sport
- Citizens Advice Bureau can provide advice
- England – Grant for Business Investment
- UK Trade & Investment – Government Body
- Direct Grant: Basically its hard cash funding, its unlikely ou will get 100% of the amount you require, normally its by arrangement where you are offered a fixed amount.
- Repayable grant: This is a type of bridging loan if you will. Money is given to you on the basis its repaid from your business profits later. The amount is set by arrangement.
- Soft Loans: This can be a commercial loan with added flexibility and low if any interest rates at all.
- Equity Finance: This is mistaken as free money, its not. The investor will put cash into your business in return for shares or stock otherwise known as Equity.

These are typical ports of call for small business grants. Once you apply the time for a decision can be set by locality. If you choose a local body, you’re more likely to get a fast response contra to a national body which may take significantly longer.

Option 2: The EU – European Commission

This off course is known as EU Grants and it’s a grant given by the EU in Brussels. As the UK participates in various programs with the EU, you can also apply to them directly.
Your can read more by going here – http://ec.europa.eu/contracts_grants/index_en.htm