What is the Growing Enterprise Lincolnshire?
Growing Graduate Enterprise is an enhanced business start-up and growth programme aimed at supporting Lincolnshire’s graduate talent (graduates from Lincoln’s Universities and graduate residents in Greater Lincolnshire having graduated elsewhere), to make the most of their academic and entrepreneurial abilities.
The main purpose of the Growing Enterprise Lincolnshire?
The grant is available for all aspects of starting a new business. The grant payment is a payment, paid upon completion of the 12 hours pre start support, to the individual to develop their new business idea covering 100% of the costs claimed. It differs from grants in that it is paid to the person, and not the business. The grant is paid in arrears on provision of evidence that it has been used to fund eligible costs and HMRC registration.
This element of the programme has been based on the best practices of the Innovation Programme for Greater Lincolnshire. This programme was a proven model that works as an incentive to the beneficiaries to engage with each element of support and is a proven mechanism to optimise funded outputs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduate within 3 years, before their business start date
- A final year student who will have graduated before their business start date
- Have confirmed that they have not yet commenced trading with their business idea
- Intent to start a business during the placement period in the Greater Lincolnshire Area
- Live in the Greater Lincolnshire Area
- Have a viable business idea that does not fall into one of the restricted sectors.
Support available ranges from ‘light touch’ development needs analysis through to more intensive support such as coaching/mentoring, tailored support as well as information advice and guidance. The programme consists of 12 hours pre-start support, and then the opportunity to pitch your business idea to get a start-up grant of up to £10,000 (for some interventions where the need has been identified 12 hours post start).
