Funding to help start your business

If you are looking to start up a business then there may be funding available to support you in those vital first months and years.

Eligibility for funding varies depending on the nature of the business you are starting, and what you require funding for.

If you are interested in funding, please complete our business funding enquiry form.

The main schemes available for new start ups in East Staffordshire currently are:

Additional Restrictions Grant, New Business Fund

If you own a business that is located within East Staffordshire which was set up on or after 1st April 2019 and before 28th June 2021 then you may be eligible. We ask for evidence that you have a business plan backed by a financial institution. 

The grant thresholds are £5,000 for a business that does not have a business rates assessment and £10,000 for a business that does have a business rates assessments.

If you feel that your business may be eligible, please contact the Enterprise Team at East Staffordshire Borough Council who will provide you with an application form: enterprise.team@eaststafffsbc.gov.uk.

Boosting Business Programme

This programme is delivered by East Staffordshire Borough Council and is now open.

More on the fund can be found on the Boosting Business Programme page.

Princes Trust

Aim of Fund: Committed to supporting young people (ages 18-30ys) into business, together we offer low-interest finance at a rate of around 6% APR to help get started.

Capital or revenue: Both

More Information: Further information can be found by visiting the Princes Trust website.

GBSLEP - Growth Hub - Funding and Finance Portal 

The Growth Hub comprises of a web based portal which aims to engage with all types of businesses with the ambition, appetite and potential to innovate and grow. T

he Growth Hub - Funding and Finance Portal offers a quick way to understand what finance is available to help grow your business.

The Funding and Finance portal has been is designed to simplify the process for small and medium enterprises to raise finance by providing local businesses with the information that they need to assist them with access to finance, by clearly segmenting potential funders into areas of specialism and expertise.

Search for funding by visiting on the Growth Hub website.

Better Business Finance (BFF) 

Better Business Finance provides impartial information and support to businesses and entrepreneurs looking to develop and grow; whether the business is seeking finance, or starting out or exporting abroad, BBF is here to help.

It was set up by Barclays, HSBC, RBS, Lloyds and Santander.in 2011 and is managed by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) in collaboration with its business and finance partners.

BBF was created to bring to life the recommendations of the Business Finance Taskforce, which was set up by the major banks to work together to help support the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses who are vital to our economy.

Search for funding by visiting the better business finance website.