Get Started and Grow scheme

Free, expert-led support for Staffordshire businesses under 5 years old — choose one tailored package in Website build, Branding and Logos, Legal support, or Masterclass workshops in Social Media, Marketing and Accountancy.

Contents

Guidance for get started and grow

Purpose of the scheme

Staffordshire County Council has provided has supported to over 4,000 individuals and businesses to start or grow their business since 2021. This support is vital to the birth rate of businesses in Staffordshire and the survival rate.  The County Council is proud to support individuals and start-up businesses with the below projects.  

  1. Start-up mentoring scheme  
  2. Get started and Grow  
  3. Women in Business  
  4. Growth Ladder  
  5. Build and Scale  

The funding for this scheme will be available on a first come first served basis to businesses based in Staffordshire (excluding Stoke-on-Trent) and applications will be assessed in order of time and date received.  

To deliver these services, we have appointed experts in the areas of who will work with you to provide the package you decide will be of most benefit to help get your business off the ground.  This expertise will be provided free of charge to successful applicants.  

Any additional support required outside of this scope will be down to the individual business to financially cover. Any extra work is outside of Staffordshire County Councils remit.

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.