Birmingham City Council is delighted to announce that the new £33 million Business Growth Programme (BGP) has launched. Please see the funding round schedule for the latest funding round dates.

The package of support is designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and grow existing Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council, the BGP builds on the successful delivery of the Business Development Programme, the Business Innovation Programme and the Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme, all of which closed in 2015.

Birmingham City Council has a track record in successfully delivering business support projects.  In 2016, the council’s achievements were recognised by the Enterprising Britain Awards part of the government’s drive to increase entrepreneurial activity in the UK.  The council won the “Improving the Business Environment” category, and also the highly coveted the “Most Enterprising Place in Britain” award.

The following grants are available:

HS2 Supply Chain Programme: Offers grant support of £20,000 to approx. £167,000 (GBP equivalent of €200,000) towards project costs for supply chain companies which have, or are in the process of securing, or have the ability to secure a contract for HS2.

Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme: Offers grant support of £20,000 to £150,000 towards project costs for supply chain companies operating in, or diversifying into the green economy.

Business Innovation Programme: Offers grant support of £10,000 to £30,000 towards project costs for SMEs investing in innovative close-to-market processes, products and services.

Business Development Programme: Offers grant support of £10,000 to £20,000 towards project costs for businesses looking to expand, relocate and improve access to markets.