The Growth Hub Business Grant Scheme is available to all businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that have the ambition and capacity to grow, to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The scheme aims to stimulate innovation, to support the development of high-quality, well-paid employment, creating a positive economic impact for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and contributing to its net zero aspirations.
Eligibility: Any trading business, sole trader, social enterprise, Community Interest Company or legally constituted organisation can apply for a grant.
Priority sectors: The funding is available to all businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with growth ambitions, but priority will be given to projects from the Distinctive Sectors identified in the Cornwall Good Growth Plan, and the supply chain for those sectors. Key sectors targeted for investment are:
- Critical Minerals
- Renewable Energy; innovations in floating offshore wind, deep geothermal and biomethane capture
- Space and Aerospace (including Data)
- Marine – including emerging FLOW opportunities and decarbonisation of shipping
Priority will also be given to projects from the Plan’s Core Sectors such as Visitor Economy, Agrifood, and Creative Industries (with a strong emphasis on digital & tech) focusing on improving the quality of year-round employment, wage levels and business performance.
Creating positive outcomes: Priority will also be given to those projects that deliver the strongest value for money in terms of outcomes, or that can demonstrate innovation.
- Create new jobs
- Safeguard existing jobs
- Improved productivity (ONS measure)
- New or improved products or services
- New to market products
- New to firm technologies or processes
- Trading in new markets
- Carbon dioxide equivalent reduction
- New knowledge transfer activity
Grant values: Minimum grant of £20,000 and maximum grant of £200,000
Match funding: Business are required to match the Growth Hub grant with 50% investment.
Higher interventions may be considered in exceptional circumstances e.g.
- start-up business in distinctive sector with full business plan in place demonstrating growth potential but has limited initial funds available,
- RD&I project requiring considerable investment by the business in staff costs to deliver the RD&I activity.
We can fund: Capital and Revenue cost, although staff costs not eligible, e.g. equipment, building works, consultancy costs that support the overarching aims of the scheme.
We cannot fund: New for old or replacement goods and services, routine repairs, replacements and renewals, staff costs, projects that have already started in terms of financial or contractual commitments, other costs listed as ineligible on the Good Growth FAQs.
Not a priority for support: Vehicles (e.g. cars, vans etc – including the purchase of electric vehicles), the creation or upgrading of visitor bedspace, solar installations that are not supported by battery storage – unless it can be demonstrated that all energy produced is used on site, i.e. there is no feed into the grid.
Applicant business must…
- be located in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.
- complete all grant funded activity by 31st December 2025.
- already pay the RLW or commit to doing so by time of final claim.
- have all permissions/consents already in place or applied for with a known determination date in the next month at point of application e.g. planning permission.
- priority will be given to those that already have all their required approvals in place.
- adequate lease in place and landlord consent in place at point of submission.
- have match funding in place/already secured.
- an appropriate business bank account.
- have full Accounts available (including Management Accounts when Full Accounts more than 12 months old).
- contribute to at least one of the Good Growth Principles.
What support is available?
Grant information webinars
We are holding regular webinars outlining the key application criteria and offering the opportunity for potential applicants to ask questions, and we would highly recommend potential applicants come along. Businesses can book a place on the webinar via the website and will be sent a recording even if they are unable to attend.
Web chat with a Grant Facilitator
Our Grant Facilitation Team will be available via web chat on the Growth Hub website between 1pm and 4pm from Monday 17 February until Wednesday 26th February to answer specific queries.
https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/business-grants
