Submit Applications for Business Start-Up Grant Scheme (UK)

Funding Information

• The fund will provide grants of £1,000 to home-based business start-ups within the Aberdeen City boundary, or £3,000 to business start-ups taking on a rateablepremise or commercial space within the Aberdeen city boundary.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sole Trader, Partnerships or Limited Companies
• UK residents and those ‘granted leave to remain’
• All business sectors excluding illegal businesses, or those that may bring the Council into disrepute. UKSPF guidance also restrict payments for activities of a party political or exclusively religious nature
• The business must be based within the Aberdeen City Council boundary area
• The business must be engaged with the Business Gateway service and have a named advisor
• The business must commence trading as a micro, small or medium enterprise (up to 250 employees)
• The business must not be trading, registered or have sold goods prior to 1October 2024
• The business must demonstrate a viable and thought-through business idea
• New businesses setting up as part of a group or franchise will be considered on a case-by-case basis(evidence of financial and decision-making autonomy will be requested)
• Only one application per business and/or per individual, will be accepted over the duration of the Scheme
• They are unable to award any grant payment to any organisation where the business owner/director within the business has been disqualified as a director or business owner. They are unable to award any grant payment where the business owner/director within the business that has been on the AIB Register of Insolvencies
• They are unable to award any grant payment to any organisation where the business owner/director has debts outstanding to Aberdeen City Council

Application Requirements

• Applicants will be asked to submit an application for either the £1,000 or £3,000 grant award, and only one grant per business/person is allowed. Please submit:
  • Completed application form in full including business, address & contact details, business bank details, business overview and what the grant award will be used for Business bank account details must link to the name in your application and documentation.
  • Evidence of Trading – Business Bank Statement. This must demonstrate that no trading took place prior to 1 October 2024 and must show at least 1 business related item paid in or out. Please note personal bank statements and details may only be accepted in exceptional circumstances for sole-traders.
  • Evidence of Registration (registration date not before 1 October 2024) – for Limited Companies, Companies House registration number, or for Sole Traders, a copy of your HMRC UTR letter.
  • Proof of Identity–copy of passport, and for those ‘granted leave to remain’ a letter from the Home Office
  • For £1,000 award, proof of applicant address – recent Council Tax bill or utility bill dated within the last 3 months.
  • For £3,000 award – copy of signed lease or property purchase is required. You must include your Business Rates reference number within the application.
  • 12-month Cashflow Projection – a template can be provided by your Business Gateway Advisor, to prove a viable and thought-through business idea.
  • Any other supporting documents or additional evidence the applicant wishes to upload.

For more information, visit Aberdeen City Council.