Support2business Ltd - Administrative Framework for Business Grants in Wales

The task of finding funding to support the establishment and growth of Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) is one of the hardest tasks that we have ever been involved with. So many worthwhile cases, put up by really dedicated and very knowledgeable people, just cannot get the requisite funding for one reason or another. But if it is so tough why have we chosen to become engaged in this arena?

The Budget - 21 March 2007

• A new tax credit for environmental investment will be introduced.
• Small firms will be able to claim a 175 per cent tax credit for research and development from April 2008.

Selective Finance for Investment in England

DTI official statistics publication – latest Annual Report.
In the year ending March 2006, businesses in England have accepted over 400 grant offers totalling in excess of £80m.

RSA Wales official statistics publication – latest Annual Report

In the 7 years to end March 2006, businesses in Wales have accepted 1173 RSA grant offers totalling £650m. These offers relate to projects with planned investment of £2.83bn with the aim of creating or safeguarding over 70,000 jobs.

Administrative Framework for Business Grants in Wales

(See also Grants in England and Grants in Scotland)
Grants and financial assistance for business in Wales is controlled through the Welsh Assembly.

Welsh Assembly Government

The Welsh Assembly has stated that it wants to ensure that good quality projects do not falter through lack of funds.

There are many funding opportunities available through the Assembly that can assist with a wide range of schemes and initiatives.

The following is a selection of grant-based initiatives available:

Regional Selective Assistance Grants (RSA) are available for capital expenditure projects taking place within Wales in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas, and which will create and or safeguard jobs. Grants from £50,000 upwards, and running into millions are possible since there is not maximum stipulated aby the RSA scheme. Projects can involve start-up, expansion, modernisation or restructuring.

Assembly Investment Grant (AIG) is available for capital expenditure projects undertaken by small and medium-sized companies throughout Wales. It is limited to a maximum award of £50,000 but is not job-creation dependent. It is available throughout Wales and provides grants between £5,001 and £50,000. Projects can involve new start-up, expansion, modernisation or restructuring.

SMARTCymru provides grant funding to help businesses through the key steps of the innovation journey:

Technical and commercial feasibility – to assess the viability of turning innovative ideas into new products, processes or technologies.
Industrial research – practical research to help prove the concept.
Pre-competitive development or design and development – to develop and test a prototype or pilot scale process.
Exploitation – to assist with commercial exploitation costs if you have used one or more of the other funding mechanisms.

Property Development Grant

This is available to private sector, commercial and industrial companies for provision of new premises or extension to existing premises.

Support is dependent on the size of the company and its location according to the Assisted Areas, and is provided on the basis of the deficit between the cost of the proposed works and the value of the completed works.

Key criteria:

Small to medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees based anywhere in Wales.
Large enterprises with more than 250 employees must be based within the Assisted Areas (Tier 1 and Tier 2).

Business Premises Improvement Grant

The Business Premises Improvement Grant is available to private sector enterprises in Wales for the refurbishment, extension or fitting out of the premises they occupy (commercial or industrial).

Support is given as a proportion of the difference between the capital cost and the value of the project – normally up to 50% of eligible development costs.

Other grants available in Wales

Detailed below is a selection of other grants available to businesses in Wales:

E-Business initiative

Financial support is available for companies to boost their business through developing a website.
Business Development Grant

The Business Development Grant is a discretionary grant providing up to 50% of the cost of expenditure of equipment for growth and modernisation.
Business Growth Grant

Grant assistance to enable established businesses to expand.
Business Investment Grant

Grant assistance to support investment in regional areas by new or indigenous companies
Skills Development Grant

Financial assistance is available to help companies invest in training for their staff.
Business Start-Up Grant

Grant assistance to help people start their own business.
Innovation Services Grant

Financial assistance and other services are available to support local businesses undertaking innovative work or projects.

If you are interested in any of the above grants or have a requirement in a topic not shown above, contact us on 08454 300 270 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Confirmation of our fee structure on all grants available in Wales is strictly on a “no win, no fee” basis at 10% of the value of the grant when successfully obtained.

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