The New Business Start-Up Grant is a discretionary grant of between £500 and £1,500. It is available to new businesses based in Orkney that have been trading for less than 6 months.

The grant has been designed as a sustainable business development support for start-up projects that will help grow the rural economy.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a need for funding and show there will be no negative effect on other Orkney businesses as a result of the funding.

The grant can be used for:

• capital equipment
• marketing costs
• training costs
• combined start-up costs

The grant cannot be used for:

• patenting
• intellectual property
• property redecoration alone
• legal or statutory fees or charges
• working capital
• wage subsidy
• debt repayment
• stock and consumables
• general running costs of the business

The grant is delivered by Orkney Islands Council's Business Gateway team.

You are eligible if your business:

• is located in Orkney
• is a new start-up that has been trading for less than 6 months
• is operated by the business owner
• employs less than 50 people
• is not part of of a management buy-in or buy-out
• has not been the recipient of a previous start-up grant
• is registered with Business Gateway Orkney

Franchise businesses are also eligible to apply for the start-up grant. They must be ethical franchises accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA).

A full list of targeted sectors and ineligible sectors is available on the Business Gateway Orkney website.

The grant is free to apply for.

Orkney-based start-up businesses that have been trading for less than 6 months.

You'll be informed of the outcome of your application within 15 working days of the final application being submitted.

You'll then have 10 working days to accept the grant offer, along with any conditions, in writing.

You should submit any claims within 12 weeks of accepting the grant.

You will need to complete the New Business Start-Up Grant application form and submit a business plan and a 2-year cash flow forecast with it.

Priority will be given to projects that will:

• create employment opportunities in the local area
• support communities in fragile rural areas
• contribute significantly to the local economy

All applicants must register with Business Gateway Orkney to receive guidance on submitting their application.

The grant should never be the sole funding for the project.

Businesses should not incur spend for grant-related costs before their grant has been approved.

Please submit an enquiry and an adviser will be in touch to discuss your needs.