Apply for the Smart Start Brentwood Grant

The Smart Start Brentwood Grants are designed to support small businesses, sole traders, charities and social enterprises based in the Brentwood Borough. The scheme helps local organisations grow, innovate and strengthen their operations through targeted financial support.

This grant of up to £1000 is available to businesses that are based in Brentwood and either currently trading or able to demonstrate that they will be trading within the next six months. Whether you’re looking to invest in new equipment, develop your digital capabilities, improve sustainability, or upskill your workforce, the grant can help turn your plans into action.

Before applying, please ensure your business meets the eligibility criteria and that the proposed use of the grant aligns with the approved purposes of the scheme. Certain activities and costs are not eligible for funding, and all applications are subject to due diligence checks. You will also only be able to apply for the grant if you have participated in the programme through workshop attendance or 1:1 mentoring.

If you’re ready to take the next step in growing your business in Brentwood Borough, complete the application form below to be considered for funding.

What can the grant be used for?

Business growth or innovation projects

Digital transformation or technology adoption

Skills development or staff training

Sustainability and environmental improvements

Equipment or infrastructure upgrades that directly improve business operations.

Please Note: Grant amount applied for must not include VAT. Any VAT chargeable is to be paid by the business. Applicants must demonstrate clear outcomes from the grant.

Eligibility Criteria

    • The business must be located in and operating within Brentwood Borough Council area (based upon https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council).

    • Headquarters or primary operations must be verifiable via proof of address, business registration, or similar evidence.

    • Where a business is not yet trading, residential address can be used but must also be situated within the Brentwood Borough Council area.

  • Eligible entities may include:

    • Small businesses with:

      • Fewer than 50 employees, and/or;

      • Annual turnover of no more than £6.5 million or a balance sheet total of no more than £5 million.

    • Sole traders, charities, or social enterprises actively trading.

    • Unless an LDBG/Brentwood mutually approve pre-start, applicants must have a valid registration number, such as:

      • Companies House number for limited companies.

      • Charity Commission number for charities.

      • Unique Taxpayer Reference Number (UTR).

      • VAT registration, if applicable.

    • Businesses currently in administration, liquidation, or with outstanding statutory compliance issues (e.g., unpaid taxes).

    • Franchise applicants (unless local ownership is demonstrated and meets other criteria).

    • Business operating within any of the following sectors will be ineligible:

      • Pornography or other ventures of an overt sexual nature that require a licence to operate

      • Manufacture or sale of drugs or drug paraphernalia

      • Unlicensed manufacture or sale of weapons, ammunitions or replica weapons.

    • Other sectors deemed to be high risk may also be subject to additional scrutiny.

    • Must be actively trading or, deemed by LDBG to be likely to be trading within 6 months, at the time of application.

    • To be eligible, new businesses will need to demonstrate a realistic plan and need for support.

Assessment criteria includes:

Other assessment criteria may apply. Complying with above requirements will not guarantee successful outcome of application.

Apply Now

There are 10 up to £1000 business grants available. These will be distributed on a first come first served basis providing all eligibility criteria is fulfilled. Upon receipt of your application, you will be notified of the outcome within 4 working weeks.

The Smart Start Brentwood Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a UK Government initiative providing funding for local investments to support the government's five national missions, including economic growth, making the UK a clean energy superpower, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. From April 2025 to March 2026, UKSPF will continue to support local projects focused on communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus