Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What was the Small Business Grants initiative?
The Small Business Grants initiative from was a free-to-enter monthly competition that gave small businesses a chance to win a £5,000 grant to invest in their company’s growth. It was a private business grant that did not have to be paid back.
Every month, a shortlist of leading entries was sent to our panel of independent judges who decided on the winner, considering factors such as turnover growth, innovation, aspiration, key projects completed, contracts won and partnerships forged.
2. What businesses were eligible to enter?

Any UK small business that was actively trading was eligible to enter.

The businesses could be sole trader or limited company. We also considered not-for-profit organisations. As long they were set up and actively trading, the application was considered.

3. How did companies apply?
Eligible businesses could apply via our Grant Application form for free.
Contact details and company information was required, as well as a passage detailing the company’s turnover growth, innovation, aspiration, key projects completed, contracts won and partnerships forged. To give the application the best chance of success, we asked that applicants add facts and figures to support points where relevant.
Applications were submitted before a monthly application deadline, which was shown on the website’s homepage each month.
4. When did applicants find out if they won, and what happened if they won?
Our panel of independent judges considered a shortlist of the candidates soon after the monthly application deadline had passed. The winner was notified within three weeks and revealed in the news section of the site, and was then paid within 30 days of the winner announcement on the website, conditional on payment details having been supplied.
Winners were also be given the chance to feature in an editorial on to talk about the grant and how the money was to be spent.
5. What happened to the data?

Applicants had to provide core business contact details and relevant profile information about their business.

The information was passed over to our judges and our selected partners who were working with to part fund the grant. the information was used to notify entrants of a successful application and confirm if they had won the grant for the month applied in. Additionally, applicants data remained on our mailing list so could keep them up to date about winners going forward, and any further opportunities for funding that the business could qualify for. Applicants could also be contacted by our selected partners about services relevant to their business.

6. How frequently could companies apply?

Applications could only be made every quarter. If an attempt to apply before three months had passed since the last submission, the entry was not be considered.

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