Deadline: 31-May-23
The West Midlands SME Grants Programme (WMGP) is open to small to medium sized businesses fulfilling the criteria below which are based within, or locating to, the Birmingham City Council area.
The grant is part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and administered by Birmingham City Council (BCC).
Funding Information
- This grant is for:
- start-up SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £2,500 to £7,500 are available)
- existing SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £5,000 to £100,000 are available)
- They expect most applications to apply for an average grant of between £10,000 to £20,000, and only in exceptional circumstances will grants of up to £100,000 be awarded. This is to make sure that the limited WMGP budget is given to as many businesses as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to apply for UKSPF funding from the WMGP, your business must meet the following criteria:
- The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and/or which have an annual turnover not exceeding £36 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £18 million. If the business is owned by another company or combination of other companies.
- In addition, they will fund businesses where there is demonstrable need for the proposed project and clear evidence of future growth of the business as a direct result of the proposals. Also, the applicant must contribute to the ‘wider economy’; i.e., job creation, commercial floorspace increased/created and jobs safeguarded.
- Businesses from all sectors are eligible for consideration, except for charities, those of a political or religious persuasion, activities involving pornography or clairvoyance and any business activity that is illegal or deemed as unsuitable for public support by Birmingham City Council.
- Training and skills development are also ineligible as provision for these activities will be supported via alternative funding routes.
- You must have been trading for 6 months or more (unless the business is a start-up),
- You must be profit-seeking;
- The programme operates in accordance with subsidy allowance under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance – you’re allowed up to £335,000 (subject to exchange rates) in Small Amounts of Financial Assistance over any rolling period of 3 financial years.
- Your business must pay or be going to pay business rates if relocating/ starting up; to one of the local authorities within the areas covered by this programme and those payments must not be in arrears. The local authorities within the Birmingham City Council area.
For more information, visit Birmingham City Council.