Get Started and Grow scheme

Free, expert-led support for Staffordshire businesses under 5 years old — choose one tailored package in marketing, social media, accountancy, HR or legal.

Contents

Guidance for get started and grow

Purpose of the scheme

As we recover from the effects of the pandemic, our main priority is to enable the Staffordshire economy to grow by supporting the creation of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses to facilitate employment into quality jobs.

To further support Staffordshire’s entrepreneurs, we have launched the Get Started & Grow scheme. This offers your business a choice between five different packages, delivered by experts in their field.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

To deliver these services, we have appointed experts who will work with you to provide the package that best supports your business. This expertise is provided free of charge to successful applicants. Any additional support outside the scope of the scheme must be funded by the individual business. Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for any extra work.

Application process

Once a full application is received:

  1. Internal officers appraise the application
  2. It is sent to the Head of Funding Business and Enterprise for approval
  3. Outcome may be:
    • Approved
    • Approved with conditions (e.g. attend a start-up mentor scheme)
    • Denied

If the scheme is oversubscribed, you will be placed on a waitlist and advised of wait times.

If your application is denied, we will help you understand why and signpost you to other support options.

Application completion guidance

  • Q9: Include registered company number (if applicable) or alternative number
  • Q10: Clearly detail your business activity – what your business does, target customers, how you operate, and why you started
  • Q12: State how long your business has been trading or the expected start date
  • Q13: Detail any start-up or business growth mentoring support received
  • Q15: Define business size (Micro = fewer than 10 employees; Small = fewer than 50 employees)
  • Q16: Include your business sector and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code

How your details are used

The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It controls how personal information is used by Staffordshire County Council (SCC).

As the information collected through Get Started and Grow relates to business data, it does not fall under GDPR regulations.

If you express interest in the scheme, SCC will store your business data electronically and may share it with:

  • The business providing the support
  • Project partners
  • Project evaluators
  • Auditing or reporting bodies

By providing your business email address, you agree to receive emails related to business support from SCC. You may unsubscribe at any time.

By signing the completed application form, you agree to the guidance and conditions outlined above.