The Business Start Up Fund (BSUF) is a grant to help pre-start businesses in North Lanarkshire with a robust and viable business idea to start trading earlier than they would be able to without help.

The fund can cover up to 100% of the cost for essential business purchases.

You can use the funding for:

• IT equipment
• infrastructure
• website design
• stock costs

The funding cannot be used as working capital to cover everyday business operations.

There are 2 tiers of funding and you can apply for:

• £1,000 for home-based enterprises with no staff other than the owner
• £2,500 for businesses that will operate from a commercial premises and/or will have at least one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) member of staff in addition to the owner

To be eligible for this fund, you should: 

• not have started trading or sold any goods or services
• have a robust and viable business idea that can start trading within 3 months of the award payment
• intend to trade in North Lanarkshire
• be able to demonstrate your need for financial support

You'll also need to work with Business Gateway Lanarkshire. This includes completing a Planning to Start Review and attending at least 2 Business Gateway webinars within 3 months.

The following businesses are not eligible:

• businesses in the gambling and betting sector
• bars, public houses and other drinking establishments

Full details of the eligibility criteria are available on the North Lanarkshire Council website.

It is free to apply for this grant.

The grant can cover up to 100% of your eligible project costs. If it does not cover the full amount, you will need to cover the rest from other sources.

You can only claim your grant after the work has been completed and you've submitted evidence of money spent. This means you'll need to be able to cover all costs upfront before you reclaim the costs through the grant.

Small and medium-sized pre-start businesses based in North Lanarkshire.

After you submit your application, it will take at least 3 weeks to receive your final decision letter. The timescale can vary depending on the complexity of your application.

The North Lanarkshire Business Growth Programme is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Visit the North Lanarkshire Council website for more information.