Grants For Liverpool Businesses

Growth Platform, the company designed to generate growth and opportunities to support the people and businesses of Liverpool City, has recently announced a grant opportunity specifically to help SMEs growth plans.

What is the grant?

Businesses can benefit from a 35% grant towards the cost of consultancy and/or agency fees.

This successful support programme is called the New Markets 2 ERDF Programme.

The Liverpool City Region is receiving up to £14,618,107 from the England European Regional Development Fund as a part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

The programme has already supported over 280 businesses in Liverpool City with a variety of projects, from website development to financial planning.

What sort of projects are supported?

The grant is meant to support businesses with their growth, by helping them to access commercial advice.

You can get support for a variety of projects, including legal advice, ISO accreditation guidance, internal systems development, website development or re-design, HR support, coaching, content production, marketing and PR support, and financial planning.

You must not have committed to start working with a particular supplier.

What can’t it support?

Excluding from the grant include funding statutory requirements, capital expenditure, and training (but it can fund coaching).

Who is eligible?

Any small or medium sized enterprise within the Liver City Region with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £45.1 million, or a balance sheet of less than £38.8 million.

How do you apply?

In order to apply for the grant you must complete this form and provide any necessary evidence to confirm your eligibility. Templates are provided for you to state and advertise your required service, receive quotes and score suppliers. You will receive a minimum of 3 quotes to choose from.

Upon receipt of your procurement documentation, Growth Platform will issue you with a Grant Funding Agreement. Once you have received this you can instruct your chosen supplier to begin the work.

When the work has been completed to your satisfaction and you have made all payments to your supplier, the claim for grant funding can be submitted. Grants are paid quarterly.