Grant funding available for small businesses in Wiltshire

Small business owners in Wiltshire are being encouraged to apply for a pot of grant funding specifically available for businesses under five years old.

Grant applications can range from £1,500 to £20,000 and offer an essential financial boost to businesses at the early stages of their journeys.

Available until March 2025, the application process is complemented by a series of free business growth workshops covering essential topics such as business planning and financial confidence.

The "Business Fit For Future" programme is a partnership project between Wiltshire based business support company The Future Smiths, the University of Bath and non-profit growth network techSPARK, and is funded by Wiltshire Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The funding element of the programme aims to assist startups and early-stage businesses in acquiring new equipment, technology, or other essential services crucial for growth. The Future Smiths are offering guidance throughout the grant application process, and can help applicants with writing business plans as well as presenting a compelling case for funding.

Simone Ward-Baptiste, co-founder of The Future Smiths said: “The application process is a lot easier than some people may think, and if anyone finds it daunting then we want to support them through it. This is a great opportunity for new businesses to receive invaluable funding support that they otherwise would have struggled to access due to their business size or length of time operating. It’s also an opportunity for business owner who may have started during the pandemic but who saw their business stall as a result.”

Eligible candidates for this funding opportunity must be based in Wiltshire and demonstrate a viable business plan with a clear need for investment. Interested applicants can download the guidance document, access a business plan template on the website.