North Yorkshire business grants scheme reopening May 2024

Round two of the capital grants for North Yorkshire small business and enterprise will open on Monday 6 May 2024. Up to £1,000,000 is available for this fund. The new specification will be available shortly. The application form will be available nearer to the programme opening date.

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How much is the grant?

Businesses can apply for one grant of between £1,000 and £10,000.  25% match funding is a requirement of this programme.  This means businesses have to fund 25% of the total project cost themselves. 

The total project cost must not exceed £30,000.  The grant request must not exceed £10,000.  

Programme aims 

The aim of this fund is to increase business growth, productivity, investment and sustainability in North Yorkshire. Businesses and enterprises are encouraged to consider what they need to ‘make one small change’ that will help them thrive and grow.

Priority will be given to applications that are able to show the potential for the grant to have a lasting impact on their business or enterprise (eg business expansion, an increase in the number of suppliers or associates, the retention and attraction of long-term staff, new customers, greater business resilience, new products or services, greater business efficiency).  

Who can apply?

Existing businesses with less than 50 staff that are based in and have a trading address in North Yorkshire.  This includes social enterprises and established start ups who have been trading for a minimum of 24 months.  

Who can’t apply?

• Businesses getting DEFRA funding for the same project
• Farm businesses, unless the project relates to non-farming related business diversification
• Businesses who have already received a grant under this programme (Applicants can reapply for more funding 6 months after the successful completion of their first grant project)
• Businesses who are currently pre-start up or not yet trading 
• Start ups/businesses trading less than 24 months
• Businesses who don’t have their landlord’s permission or planning permission for the project (where required) 
• Applicants in debt to North Yorkshire Council 

How to apply – North Yorkshire capital grants for small business

We recommend you contact us before applying to get 1-1 free support with your application.

Two essential parts of the application process are a solid business plan and cash flow forecast. To support you in writing these, we are launching two webinars with our partners at Enterprise Cube.

16 May: A Guide to…Writing a Business Plan
All good businesses start with a good idea. And turning that idea into a business requires a plan. Even if you don’t need to apply for funding, it is still important to write up a business plan. This webinar covers the essentials of writing a business plan, and how it can be used when applying for grants.

17 May: A Guide to…Writing a Cash Flow Forecast
Predicting your revenue forecast and expenses when starting a business is one of the most important, yet neglected, areas of business planning. This webinar will cover the essentials of writing a cash flow forecast, and how they can be used when applying for grants.

From 6th May, you will able to apply for the scheme here.

Please note: this scheme is only available to businesses in the North Yorkshire Council area. This does not include businesses in the City of York.

Decarbonisation Fund

Interested in cutting costs and waste? North Yorkshire Council have made grants and support available to help you take action on net zero. 

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The grant forms part of North Yorkshire’s £16.9 million UK Shared Prosperity fund allocation. £5.4million from Rural England Prosperity Fund has also been allocated. In 2023/24, North Yorkshire Council has a funding pot of £450,000 for the Small Business Grant scheme.

Click here for further information about North Yorkshire Council’s funding programmes.