Business Start Up Grant

The BSUG offers funding for essential business purchases such as IT equipment, infrastructure costs, website design and stock costs. It has a tiered funding structure with grants of £1,000 and £2,500 available: 

• £1,000 for home-based enterprises with employee headcount less than 1 FTE in addition to the proprietor.
• £2,500 for businesses that will operate from commercial premises and/or will have a minimum of 1 FTE in addition to the proprietor.

The structure has been devised to reflect the higher start-up costs associated with businesses operating from commercial premises and/or with employees. It also aims to encourage new start businesses to grow their operation earlier.

The BGSU has two payment points only. To be successful, applicants must provide evidence that they are able to use 100% of the grant award applied for (costs must exclude VAT). Applications are limited to one per business.

Successful applicants may have the opportunity to apply for a second grant award 6 months from the initial award to help with the ongoing working capital requirements of running a new business. The second award will be subject to criteria and availability of funds. Applications for the second award will close on the 15th of January 2023.

To be eligible, all applicants must comply with the following criteria:

• Business trading: The applicant must not yet have commenced trading or have sold any goods or services.
• Business location: The applicant must have the intention to trade in North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire.
• Business viability: The applicant must be able to demonstrate a robust and viable business idea that will commence trading within 3-months of the award payment.
• Business engagement: The applicant must commit to engage with the Business Gateway Service, complete a Planning to Start Review and attend a minimum of two Business Gateway webinars within 3 months of their application.
• Need for a grant: The applicant must be able to demonstrate the need for financial support for specific business purchases and why the grant award is needed to help launch their business. Other funding routes can be investigated at the Scottish Government website.  
• Business size: The applicant must intend to commence trading as a micro, small or medium enterprise (up to 250 employees).
• Business structure: If the applicant will be part of a larger group of businesses or franchises with a headquarters out with North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire, or has direct/indirect links to other businesses, it can only apply if it will have a wholly autonomous cost/profit centre responsible for its own day-to-day management and producing its own management accounts and audited accounts. Applicants who fall into this category may be asked to produce evidence of their autonomy from the parent company/group.

Applicants of the higher award must also comply with the following criteria:

• Business location: the applicant must commence trading from commercial premises in North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire. Please note virtual offices are not eligible.
• Staff levels: The applicant must aim to commence trading with a minimum of 1 FTE in addition to the main proprietor.

The BSUG is to provide financial support to help pre-start businesses undertake specific items of expenditure which will allow them to launch their business and start trading.

Applicants can apply to the fund for essential business purchases, which may include:

• IT equipment such as laptops, monitors and software packages. 
• The development of a website to market the business or an ecommerce platform to enable online sales.
• Infrastructure costs associated with the adaptation of a business premises to make it commercially suitable. 
• The purchase of business stock for commercial retail.
• Essential business equipment; tools, machinery
• Other purpose (applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed costs for which funding is sought will support the launch of their business)

Please note that:

• BSUG funding cannot fund the research and development of a business idea, the purchase of a commercial vehicle, any training which is a legal requirement to commence trading. 
• Applications from business operating in the Gambling and Betting and Drinking Places (Bar/Public houses) sectors will be excluded from applying.
• The Council retains the right to decline an application if supporting the business would damage the reputation of the Local Authority.

Applicants must submit the below documentation to apply for a BGSU grant. They must also commit to attend a minimum of two Business Gateway Lanarkshire webinars to support their business venture within 3 months of their application. 

Please note: ‘virtual’ offices will not be considered an eligible premise. Applications from living wage employers are welcomed and applicants are encouraged to work towards a living wage accreditation.

To apply and for more information on the funding and other support available to Lanarkshire businesses please contact the Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 756956.