Business Start Up Grant guidance for applicants

About this grant

The Business Start-Up Grant helps us deliver our Vision 2022-2026 by supporting new businesses to get established and contribute to a strong and varied local economy. The grant also supports our aim to use regeneration opportunities to attract new and relocating businesses, and to make Arun an attractive place to start and grow a business.

This grant is open to new start‑up businesses anywhere in the Arun District. You can apply whether you trade from a physical premises or run your business online.

You can apply for up to £2,000 through this match‑funded scheme. Match‑funding means we will cover up to half of the costs of your project, and you must cover the remaining costs.

So, for example, if your project costs £2,000, the grant will contribute £1,000 and you will need to fund £1,000. If your project costs £4,000 the grant will contribute £2,000 and you will need to fund £2,000. If your project costs £8,000 the grant will contribute £2,000 and you will need to fund £6,000. There is no minimum grant amount.

The grant is only paid after the purchases have been made, and you've shown us evidence. We cannot release funding in advance.

Aim

The aim of the Business Start Up Grant is to help people starting new businesses buy the equipment and practical items they need to launch with confidence. By supporting new businesses at an early stage, we want to strengthen the local economy and encourage long‑lasting, successful enterprises.

To receive funding, your proposal must:

  • show that your idea is clear, realistic and likely to work
  • explain how the items you want to buy will help you set up and begin trading
  • describe how your business will add something useful or new to the area
  • evidence value for money

Eligibility

  • you must be a new or pre-start independent business (trading for less than 18 months)
  • all types of business sectors can apply.
  • you can apply if you have a physical business or an online business
  • if you have a physical business, it must be located in the Arun district
  • if you have a mobile or online business which you operate from home, your home must be in the Arun district.
  • we may refer you to the one‑to‑one business support consultant before we can agree your grant.  

You cannot apply if you have been given a business start-up grant before. 

Match Funding

You can apply for up to £2,000 through this match‑funded scheme. Match‑funding means we will cover up to half of the costs of your project, and you must cover the remaining costs.

There is no minimum grant amount.

For example:

Project cost Grant Your contribution
£1,000 £500 £500
£2,500 £1,250 £1,250
£4,000 £2,000 £2,000
£5,000 £2,000 £3,000
£8,500 £2,000 £6,500
Match funding amounts

What the grant can be used for:

We prefer to fund equipment and other physical items that help you set up your business. Applications that focus mainly on less visible costs - such as marketing, subscriptions or everyday running costs - are less likely to be approved.

Examples of generally acceptable costs include:

  • tools, machinery and specialist equipment
  • IT hardware such as laptops, tablets or payment devices
  • software where it is essential to core business delivery
  • shop‑fit equipment for businesses taking premises
  • essential materials required for initial set‑up

This list does not include every possible cost the grant could be used for. If you have another cost that clearly helps you open your new business, you may include it in your application.

Costs we cannot fund

  • ongoing operating costs (rent, utilities, stock replenishment, staff costs)
  • routine marketing or general advertising
  • statutory or professional fees
  • business insurance
  • interest payments

Evidencing value for money

You must submit quotes for all items or equipment you are requesting funding for. Each quote must:

  • include the supplier's name and contact details
  • include a breakdown of costs

You must provide at least two quotes for each item, unless this is not possible.

Insurance

You are responsible for making sure any equipment you buy is properly insured. We do not insure or replace items bought with the grant.

Payment of grant funding

Grant payments can only be made after the approved items have been purchased and evidence has been sent to us.

You must not make purchases until you have received the formal letter from us about your grant award. If you do, your grant may not be paid.

Assessment criteria

Your application will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • strength of business proposal: how clear the idea is and whether it is likely to work and last
  • appropriate use of funding: how well the requested items help you get your business started
  • value for money: whether the costs are fair and reasonable
  • economic benefit: how your business will add to a varied and stable local economy

Assessment process

Your application will be reviewed during a visit from our one‑to‑one business support consultant. This visit is required. It helps make sure your proposal is clear and realistic before you spend time completing the full application.

Applications will be reviewed in the order we receive them. Applications are assessed once a month by a panel on the following dates:

  • 15 April 2026
  • 20 May 2026
  • 17 June 2026
  • 15 July 2026
  • 19 August 2026
  • 16 September 2026
  • 21 October 2026
  • 18 November 2026
  • 16 December 2026
  • 20 January 2027
  • 17 February 2027
  • 17 March 2027

 We will continue to review applications until the total grant fund has been fully allocated.

Next steps

You can proceed straight to submitting an application and uploading all required information using the online form. We will review your application. If further clarification is needed, we may refer you to the one‑to‑one business support consultant before we can agree your grant.  

Applying using the online form

The application for this grant is completed through an online form. You must finish the form in one session, as you cannot save it and return later. 

It is helpful to have all your documents ready to upload before you start.

As well as details about you and your business, you will be asked to:

Describe your business proposal

  • tell us what your idea is
  • explain why it is clear, workable and likely to last

Explain the costs are a good use of the funding

  • tell us what items you are asking for
  • explain how each item will help you start up your business

Show that the costs offer value for money

  • explain why the items you need offer good value
  • show us that the costs are fair and reasonable (by including quotes)

Show how your business supports the local economy

  • explain how it will attract customers or add something new to the area.

You can attach a separate document with this information if you need more space.

Supporting documents you'll need to upload:

  • business plan
  • evidence of business registration (if registered)
  • cost breakdown
  • quotes
  • your bank details

For further information, contact the Economy Team by email: business@arun.gov.uk

How to Apply

You must submit your application through the online form:

Apply for a business start up grant

If we receive your application after the panel meeting for that month, it will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting. 

We can only assess applications that are complete. If any required information is missing, we will not be able to assess your application until all documents have been provided.

Successful applicants will receive a formal “Letter of Offer” with a deadline for completing the works. You should not make any purchases or start any works until you have received this letter. If you do, your grant may not be payable.