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Business grants exist to help businesses develop. They are available from a number of different sources such as the Government, European Union, Regional Development Agencies, Business Link, local authorities and some charitable organisations.

Many business grants are however limited to small or medium sized enterprises, for example, if a business has fewer than 250 employees. These grants can be approved based on situations such as specific geographical areas, i.e. those in need of economic regeneration or in other cases they can be granted due to factors such as your business activity or your business sector.

England, Wales and Scotland each have their own range of grants available. The amount of money put aside for these business grants can also vary. For example an area with social deprivation or high unemployment may have more money available for grants than others.

Grants however may be and most generally are subject to restrictions in certain sectors, these restrictions are defined by the European Commission. All applications will be closely inspected by the European Commission. It should also be noted that grant bodies prefer to see specific targets and results, which are often compatible with their own objectives.

Additionally, you should ensure:

You are ready to put up some of your own money

You need the money for a specific purpose

You haven’t already started the project before you get an agreement in principle of funding

Grants are normally awarded for specific purposes such as the purchasing of machinery, improving offices and increasing employment as well as developing export markets. Whilst deciding whether or not to award you with a grant the awarding body will expect a high level of commitment from you and your business.

Applying for a business grant is highly competitive meaning you have to really prove why your business idea. If you are turned down for a business grant you shouldn’t take it as too much of a disappointment in the respect that you should take on board the reasons why you were turned down. Some of the main reasons as to why business grants are turned down include:

Your work isn’t relevant to the body who is awarding the grant

Statements made are not backed up by facts

Research plan is unfocused

You are unable to prove you can match your funds

Your need for a business grant isn’t proven

Information in your application is not up-to-date

These are merely just a few reasons as to why your application for a business grant might be turned down. To give your business the best possible chance at securing a business grant you need to ensure that you provide the following to the organisation that is awarding your grant:

A detailed and descriptive project of the reason you wish to apply for a business grant

Explain the potential benefits of your proposed project

A detailed plan that contains information about the total cost of your proposed project

Details of your own experience and that of any other key managers

Completed application forms where stipulated

A possible business plan

You need to have every aspect of your business detailed and documented before you continue and apply for your business grant.

Author: Helen Cox
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In business we all sometimes need that extra little bit of cash to get certain business ideas off the ground. There are many ways in which you are able to gain extra business finance such as loans, overdrafts, credit cards or through private investors such as business angels; however what do all of these have in common? They all have to be repaid in one form or another but with a business grant it’s another story.

Business grants are a sum of money that is awarded to your company for a very specific purpose or project. This money means that you can undertake the changes that you want to make to your business without having any debts at the end of it; sounds too good to be true? Well let me assure you this is completely genuine but like all things that seem too good to be true there are a few catches. You are only awarded between 15% and 50% of the total money that you need to carry out your project; the rest of the money needed has to come from you. The percentage of the total cost that you will be awarded depends on how much money you need for your purpose or project.

There are many ways in which you can obtain a grant some of the main ones are as follows:

The government

The European Union

Regional Development Agencies in England, Scottish Enterprise, the Welsh Development Agency and Invest Northern Ireland

Local authorities or local councils and local development agencies

Chambers of Commerce

County Enterprise Boards

The main type of business grants that are available are government grants and the reason that they came about was as a way of encouraging entrepreneurialism and innovation, which will translate into opening up more jobs within the business and adding value to the business, which is done mainly through the businesses profits.

Some of the reasons as to why you may be awarded a grant are for the purchasing of machinery, to improve office conditions, increase employment and developing export markets. Everything that it will be awarded for comes down to the idea of helping you to develop your business.

To be in with a chance of receiving a business grant you need to make sure that you meet the conditions set out by the grant. These conditions are that you have to have the rest of the money for your specific project or purpose ready and the project can’t have already been started. These are strict terms and conditions that apply to all grants. If these aren’t followed, immediate repayment of the grant can be required. However, generally you do not have to repay grants or interest on them unless you break the conditions.

Applying for grants can be time-consuming. You will generally be required to submit your business plan, as well as completing the specific paperwork for the scheme. Once your application has been made it will enter the reviewing stage where your application and proposal will be assessed using the following criteria:

Significance

Approach

Innovation

Their assessment of your expertise

Need for the grant

There aren’t many grants available, which means that competition for them is high so if you aren’t successful this time then I advise you to take on board the reasons as to why your application was turned down so that you can work on these points and apply again.

Author: Carolyn Clayton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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