Green LEAP Small Business Grants
LEAP grants are a small injection of funding aimed at start-ups and small businesses based in Horsham District.
This year we are launching ‘Green LEAP’, offering up to £5,000 to fund towards climate-friendly business projects. Grants of up to £2,000 may be considered for other projects, subject to funding.
If you have any queries, please contact our Economic Development Team at BusinessDevelopment@horsham.gov.uk
Contents:
- Eligibility requirements
- Use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice
- Apply for LEAP funding
- Grant money release dates
- Help to write a business plan
Eligibility requirements
What eligibility requirements must I meet to apply for LEAP funding?
To apply, your business must meet all the following requirements:
- Be registered with Companies House or HMRC
- Have less than 20 employees (FTE)
- Be in Horsham District
- Able to meet the match funding requirement: Minimum 25% of total project cost
- Able to provide a fully costed, 3-year business plan
To access up to £5,000 through Green LEAP you must also:
- Have a climate-friendly business project idea
- Have shown in your business plan, how your Green LEAP project is connected. Watch our How to write a Business Plan video to help you do this.
Can I use LEAP funding retrospectively?
No, a LEAP grant cannot go towards project expenditure that was spent prior to the date of application.
I’ve received a LEAP grant before, can I apply again?
Previous LEAP grant recipients are invited to apply, however those already in receipt of two grants will only be able to access a third grant through Green LEAP for a climate-friendly project. Only one Green LEAP grant can be accessed per business.
What types of projects can a Green LEAP grant fund towards?
Green LEAP grants of up to £5,000 are for climate-friendly projects which you can demonstrate will help you achieve your business’ climate ambitions.
This could include, but is not limited to:
- Switching to LED lighting
- Electric vehicles
- Installing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points
- Reducing water use (e.g., fitting flow restrictors on taps)
- Creating space for nature at your workplace
- Better rated white goods
- Insulation
- Renewable energy solutions (e.g., Solar PV, Ground/Air Source Heat Pumps)
- Switching to sustainable products/packaging
- Solutions to help reduce, reuse and recycle waste
What other types of projects can a LEAP grant fund towards?
Grants of up to £2,000 may be considered for other projects which will help establish or future-proof your business, subject to funding.
Eligible project expenditure includes equipment, building works, e-commerce, etc. You can also use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice.
What project expenditure is ineligible?
LEAP grants CANNOT fund towards ‘business as usual’ expenditure, planning costs, salaries (unless this is for an apprentice), overheads, rent or stock.
Use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice
Where can I access advice on taking on an apprentice?
If you are interested in taking on an apprentice and need some advice, you can:
- Sign up for free to the West Sussex Business Hub and watch our Apprenticeship Talent: Top Tips video
- Explore the How to take on an apprentice guidance on the Government website.
How much LEAP funding can I access for an apprentice?
LEAP grants of up to £2,000 are available for apprentices currently, subject to funding.
What evidence do I need for my LEAP application?
Any business wanting to take on an apprentice should have a training provider in place and should be able to evidence that an agreement is in place to provide the ‘college’ training. If conducted in house, the trainer would still need to be accredited.
If you do not have evidence for either of those, you must at least be able to demonstrate that an initial discussion with a training provider has taken place and that the course was suitable and available.
Apply for LEAP funding
How do I apply?
Applying is easy. All you need to do is:
- Join the West Sussex Business Hub.
- Watch our 'LEAP - How to write a Business Plan' video to help you write your business plan.
- Fill in our online application (when live) and attach your business plan.
What do I need to include in my application?
In your application you will need to include the following:
- Details of the project you are applying for and how it will help establish or future-proof your business and achieve your climate ambitions.
- The timescale of the project you are intending to use the funding for. Please note that successful applicants will be given a 6-month window to complete their projects.
- A breakdown of how you will use the grant, plus your own financial contributions.
- Your fully costed, 3-year business plan. If you require business plan advice, please watch our How to write a business plan video, below. You can also visit the Government website and find more useful links on our Start Up Local page.
When are applicants notified of a decision?
Applicants are notified of a decision within 5 weeks of submitting their application.
Grant money release dates
LEAP is currently closed. The first two rounds in 2024 will be open as follows:
- Round 1: from 2 April to 30 April 2024
- Round 2: from 3 June to 1 July 2024
Further rounds will be announced at a later date, subject to funding.
To make sure you're the first to know when the next LEAP funding round opens, sign up to our Business email newsletter.
Help to write a business plan
Sign up to the West Sussex Business Hub and watch our guidance video where Mike Clare from Intrinsia takes you through how to write a business plan, so you can prepare in advance and apply for a LEAP or Green LEAP grant with confidence. You will need to watch this video to access the online LEAP Application Form. This video is available to watch now and the application form opens 2 April.
Watch the video trailer below.
You can also access additional support through our Business Training Programme, including a four-part video series on creating a strategy for business growth and the opportunity to access 1-2-1 support to help build your strategy.