Business Start Up Fund

The Business Start Up Fund now open to applications

To discuss your business or project seeking support, and your eligibility to apply, contact Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 442837 or email lanarkshire@bgateway.com

The Business Start Up Fund (BSUF) provides grant funding to help pre-start businesses with strong, viable business ideas begin trading sooner than would otherwise be possible. It also supports early-stage businesses to grow by creating or safeguarding jobs and improving overall business viability.

The BSUF offers financial support for projects that contribute to business growth and job creation or retention. A wide range of growth-focused costs can be considered, including:

IT and digital investments
Website design and development
Infrastructure improvements
Stock and equipment

The BSUF cannot support working capital or day-to-day running costs.

The Business Start Up Fund operates a two-tier funding structure, offering 100% grant funding through two grant levels:

Up to £1,000 Grant	Up to £3,000 Grant
Pre-start (Planning to start trading within 3 months of applying) or Start Up Business (within first 12 months of trading)	Pre-start (Planning to start trading within 3 months of applying) or Start Up Business (within first 12 months of trading)
North Lanarkshire Home Based Business	North Lanarkshire based Business
No Employees	Any of the following: Business operating from Commercial Premises in North Lanarkshire or Employing at least one FTE (excluding owners / directors or VAT Registered
Exclusively working on the business

How is funding paid?

The BSUF is paid retrospectively. This means that once your grant application has been successfully approved, you must pay the project costs upfront and then reclaim the grant funding afterward.

Grant support is available for up to 100% of eligible net costs (excluding VAT and delivery charges).

Important - before you apply

No work must begin on the project until you receive formal written approval from us. This means that:

No supplier invoices should be issued
No orders or payments should be made
No work related to the project should start

Any costs incurred before approval is received will not be eligible for grant funding.

We also strongly recommend reading the Guidance Notes in full before applying.

Are you eligible?

Eligible	Ineligible
You can apply if:	You cannot apply if:
You are working with a Business Gateway Lanarkshire adviser.	The project does not directly support he start-up or growth of the business.
You are a pre-start business planning to begin trading within 3 months or a start-up business within its first 12 months of trading.	The project has already begun and/or you have already incurred costs related to it.
You employ fewer than 49 FTE staff.	The business does not have sufficient funds to pay the full project cost upfront.
You are working exclusively on the business.	You are not working exclusively on the business.
Your project has not yet started and no costs have been incurred.	The business is not registered with Companies House (limited companies) or HMRC (sole traders).
You can clearly demonstrate why external funding is required.	A valid HMRC Unique Tax Reference (UTR) has not been provided as part of the application.
You will be able to complete the project within 6 months* of grant award.	Any project items will be paid for using cash, credit card, hire purchase (HP), lease, or other credit/finance agreements.
You have not previously received a Business Start Up Grant	The project includes training or accreditation that is a legal requirement.
Or by 6 March 2027 (whichever comes first)	The business does not have a dedicated business bank account.
	The business does not pay the Real Living Wage to its employees (where applicable).

How to apply?

For information on how to apply and to discuss your enquiry in more detail, please contact Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 442837 or lanarkshire@bgateway.com

Subsidy control

The Business Start-Up Fund award being applied for by your enterprise is considered to be a subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act (2022), and if successful will be awarded under the North Lanarkshire Business Start Up Grants 2026/2027 SC11503.

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