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To receive support and grant funding through the programme, your business must:

• be a SME*
• be registered to an address in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â
• trading for at least 3 years
• have 5 or more employees
• be below the Subsidy Control threshold of £315,000 over the previous 3 years, including the value of the support
• have an innovative activity taking place - new to firm products, services, technologies, or processes or have new to market products/ services

*The definition of an SME eligible for grant funding is as follows:
 

• has fewer than 250 employees
• has either (a) an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or (b) an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million
• 25% or more of the capital or the voting rights are not owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises falling outside this definition of an SME
• does not own more than 25% of the capital or voting rights in an enterprise falling outside of this definition of SME

Excluded sectors not eligible for support include:

• primary agriculture 
• schools
• public sector funded organisations

Funding available in your area:

• Bromsgrove District £2,500 to £20,000
• Malvern Hills District £2,500 to £15,000
• Redditch Borough £2,500 to £20,000
• Worcester City £2,500 to £15,000
• Wychavon District £2,500 to £15,000
• Wyre Forest £2,500 to £20,000

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project. Amounts available is subject to change.

The research and development grant can only be used to fund activities directly related to the development and/or introduction to market of innovative products or services, including, but not limited to:

• new tooling and equipment
• creating a prototype
• product testing and certification
• IP/ trademark protection
• external market research
• new marketing materials
• product launch

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â County Council.

The programme is managed and delivered by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â County Council on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information

The Innovation Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â Specialist Advisor Programme can provide initial diagnostic and assessment to review the current position of your business and future opportunities for new products or services to be introduced.

Delivered through one-to-one tailored advice and dynamic workshops, we can help you with the implementation of a realistic, effective, and bespoke business innovation action plan and provide follow-up support for the implementation of the recommendations.