91ÖÆƬ³§

The Elevate Grants are specifically tailored for businesses that are focused on growth and investment in their existing operations. These grants serve as a vital resource for companies that aspire to broaden their market presence and improve their product or service offerings.

By providing financial assistance, the Elevate Grants enable businesses to undertake strategic initiatives that can lead to increased competitiveness. This support is particularly beneficial for organisations looking to expand their workforce, or enhance their operational capabilities, ultimately fostering a more robust economic environment.

Funding from £2,500 to £10,000 is now available for Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) businesses that have been trading for more than 3 years. This programme is open to businesses or residents situated in the districts of Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester City and Wyre Forest.

Grants are awarded on a match-funded basis, meaning the business will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.

The grant can be used to fund a variety of business activities, including, but not limited to:

• machinery
• equipment
• further consultancy support
• marketing and website development
• relocation
• external market research

Please note, standard equipment upgrades such as laptops and mobile phones will not be eligible under this programme.

Give your start-up business a boost with support from the Enterprising 91ÖÆƬ³§Grant.

Matched-funded grants from £1,000 to £5,000 is now available for Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) businesses at the start-up stage or which have been trading for 3 years or less. This programme is open to businesses or residents situated in the districts of Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester City and Wyre Forest.

If you have been trading for less-than 12 months, you will need to undergo the Enterprising 91ÖÆƬ³§Start Support Programme. The support programme will connect you will a specialist business coach, who will help you to build a clear and focused plan for your business. 

Please follow the link for more information:

• Enterprising 91ÖÆƬ³§business coaching

Our funding offers a significant financial boost, giving you the necessary support to achieve your milestones quicker and help you with establishing yourself in the market.

Grants are awarded on a match-funded basis, meaning the business will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.

What the grant can fund

Funding can be used can be used for a project consisting of items such as, but not limited to:

• machinery
• equipment
• website construction
• marketing materials
• consultancy support

Please note, standard equipment upgrades such as laptops and mobile phones will not be eligible under this programme. 

In today's fast-paced market, embracing innovation is not just an option; it's a necessity. Developing new products or technologies can not only significantly differentiate your business from competitors and open doors to new markets but also enhance your competitive edge and contribute to the advancement of technology and industry.

What the grant can fund

The Innovation grant can only be used to fund activities directly related to the development and/or introduction to market of innovative products, technologies or services, including, but not limited to:

• new tooling and equipment
• creating a prototype
• product testing and certification
• IP and trademark protection
• external market research
• new marketing materials
• product launch

Availability of grant funding

The minimum innovation grant amount your business can apply for is £2,500, with a maximum available grant of £15,000.00.

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project. Amounts available are subject to change and no funding is guaranteed until a signed agreement is in place. This programme is open to businesses or residents situated in the districts of Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester City and Wyre Forest.

To receive support through the Enterprising Worcestershire, Innovation 91ÖÆƬ³§and Elevate programmes, your business must:

• be an SME*
• be registered to an address in 91ÖÆƬ³§(Please note, funding support is not available to businesses registered in the Malvern Hills and Wychavon area)
• have not received a 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council business support grant within the previous 2 years (this includes Innovation 91ÖÆƬ³§grants, Elevate 91ÖÆƬ³§grants and Enterprising 91ÖÆƬ³§grants). The two-year period starts from the date that the previous business grant was paid by 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council.
• be below the Subsidy Control threshold of £315,000 over the previous 3 years, including the value of the support received
• to qualify for an Elevate 91ÖÆƬ³§grant your business must be trading for more than 3 years
• to qualify for an Enterprising 91ÖÆƬ³§grant you must be at the start-up stage or have been trading for less than 3 years
• to qualify for an Innovation 91ÖÆƬ³§grant you must have an innovative activity taking place – developing or launching a New to Market product or technology*

*New to Market is a term that refers to a business that is entering a new market or market segment by creating products or technologies that that are either non-existent presently or that differ greatly from those that are already available.

*The definition of an SME eligible for grant funding is as follows:

• has fewer than 250 employees.
• has either (a) an annual turnover less than or equal to £44m in annual turnover or (b) a balance sheet total of less than or equal to £38m
• 25% or more of the capital or the voting rights are not owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises falling outside this definition of an SME
• does not own more than 25% of the capital or voting rights in an enterprise falling outside of this definition of SME

Excluded sectors not eligible for support include:

• Primary agriculture, forestry and fisheries
• Schools
• Public sector funded organisations