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Vale Business Start-Up Bursary

The Vale Business Start-Up Bursary scheme is a regeneration and economic development initiative led by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in partnership with various public, private and voluntary sector organisations. 

The aim of the initiative is to give the people of the Vale the power to control the future of their communities.

 

 

Vale Start Up Logo - no wording

 

About the Vale Business Start-Up Bursary Scheme

Funded by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Waterloo Foundation, the Vale Business Start-up Bursary Scheme provides bursaries of up to £5,000, with 20% match funding required, for individuals and groups of people intending to start a new business or social enterprise in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

The purpose of the bursary is to promote conditions which will help entrepreneurs implement their business idea. This can include providing advice and expert support to develop a business idea, providing the necessary equipment or resources to start a business and helping with business location costs. 

 

Applicants will need to submit a business plan, 3 year cash flow forecast and an application form which will then be assessed by a panel for approval. 

 

Our original project was started back in August 2014 and ran until 2016 during which time we inspired and helped start 50 new businesses within the Vale. Most are still trading successfully, with many of them now employing staff and having expanded substantially over the years.

 

The scheme is deliberately led by a local business owner who has 32 years’ experience of running her own successful business within the Vale. 

 

Support we provide when you apply for the Vale Business Start-Up Bursary

When you apply for a bursary, we are able to offer extensive help and support including: 

  • Regular group meetings to review the activities each participant has experienced over the past period

  • Discuss issues good and bad that have arisen and help overcome challenges faced by individuals

  • Allow individuals to learn from each other (peer to peer support) and gain valuable knowledge of networking whilst having an established business owner to be able to challenge and mentor the group

  • Identify training needs and signpost to help needed

  • Mentoring on an individual basis

  • Instil the disciplines required in business such as goal setting, time management, and how to ensure the growth of your business

  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses and how to overcome them

  • Self-motivation and confidence building

  • Continue to work with partners such as Business Wales, Business in Focus, Business Wales, Prince’s Trust and Communities First to ensure all round support for beneficiaries

  • Quarterly Start Up Business Club meetings with guest speakers covering an assortment of topics including, Goal Setting, Presentation skills, Marketing, Social Media and Digital Marketing, Intellectual Property and Trading Standards

 

If you are interested in making an application to the Bursary Scheme please complete the Expression of Interest form below: 

 

 

Successful Applications

 

  

Vale Start Up Club

The Vale Start Up Club is a friendly gathering of new business owners from within the Vale of Glamorgan. 

 

Fine out more

 

How to contact us

For further information please contact the Economic Development team: 

  • 07751 645 374
  • VSUBursary@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

 

 

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