Enterprise Fund for Causeway Coast and Glens businesses

This grant provides up to £5,000 to support businesses less than two years old to achieve growth

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Enterprise Fund focuses on developing young businesses that need assistance in taking the next step in their growth plan.

It is aimed at supporting businesses, with a track record of two years or less, to address barriers to growth using innovative approaches.

The scheme can provide funding of up to 100 per cent costs up to a maximum of £5,000. The total cost of the project must not exceed £10,000.

Eligibility criteria

The initial criteria for application are as follows:

• All applicant businesses and social enterprises must be within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area and actively trading commercially. The Enterprise Fund is open to all sectors but Council particularly welcomes applications from the following priority sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering Construction Financial Business and Professional Services Retail Tourism and Hospitality Agri-food Sustainable Energy.
• All applicants must have completed the Business Start Programme - available through Enterprise Causeway and Roe Valley Enterprises - within the last two years - or have a fit for purpose business plan from other sources completed within the last two years.
• All applicants must have a business bank (or other financial institution) account for the sole purpose of their business ie separate from personal finances.

Only businesses that meet these criteria can apply to the Enterprise Fund. A business plan within the last two years and recent business bank statement dated within the last three months must be supplied at application stage. This is mandatory and an application will not proceed without them.

What can be funded?

Examples of expenditure that can be funded through this grant include:

• New equipment linked to creating new jobs or introducing innovative approaches leading to increased profitability.
• Developing IT systems which can demonstrably lead to increased profitability.
• Implementing a significant marketing campaign which will lead to increased sales.
• Development of a marketing support programme or sales research which will lead to the business entering new markets.

Find out more and apply for the Enterprise Fund.

First published 28 March 2023