How to Apply

Here you will find information about how to apply and the support that is available to assist you with your application.

Advice & Assistance

A team of Grant for Business Investment specialist advisors is available to offer advice on whether your project may be eligible for support, and for assistance in your application process. To take advantage of this free advisory service, please email innovation@businesslinksoutheast.co.uk.

General grant and funding enquiries can be addressed to Business Link South East on 0845 600 9006.

Pre-application Process

You are required to submit a Pre-application Summary before submitting your full application. Replies will be given within 10 working days as to whether it would be worthwhile for you to submit a full application. The Pre-application Summary is to be submitted by email to one of the addresses found within the summary document.

GBI pre-application summary

GBI Quick Look Guide

Full Application

To make a full GBI application you will need to provide the following:

Last 3 years’ full accounts (abbreviated accounts are not sufficient) including latest draft accounts, unless a start-up
Group accounts (if applicable)
Latest management accounts, from last financial year end to current date
Full family tree showing all related companies and their shareholdings if the company is part of a group OR if the company has any director(s) in common with another company (e.g. sister companies)
Details of company structure, list of all shareholders with percentage holdings and list all the company’s officers
Detailed business funding plan , covering the ongoing business including the project and evidence of funding if available at this stage
Details of the market you operate in/your production process and how your company operates
Full specific details of the project
CVs for each member of the project team and company management
Business Plan – up to date, including the project plans. Click here for our Guide to Writing a Business Plan.

Please complete the application form, financial appendices and checklist (all attached below) to ensure you provide the required information.

Application Form

Checklist (please complete and send with your application)

Financial Appendices

Help with the application process

If you require for help with any aspect of the GBI application process please contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit their website www.businesslinksoutheast.co.uk

Where to send full GBI applications

Please ensure your application is fully complete using the application checklist. Submitting a complete application in both electronic and hard copy format will help us to avoid delays. An incomplete application may be returned to you.

Please email a copy of your application to businessgrants@financesoutheast.com. Each item on the checklist should be sent as a separate attachment in Microsoft Office format. Please also post a full (unbound) hard copy of your director-signed application (including supporting documents) to:

Business Grants, Finance South East Ltd, Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Blackwater, Surrey, GU17 9AB

If you are unable to email a copy, please send a copy on disc/CD with your posted application.

Please note that we may forward your application in confidence to our Accountants or for Market Advice, but can not be held responsible for the electronic security of your application or the postal service.

When might you receive a decision?

The appraisal process will take approximately 30 working days from receipt of a full application with all required information attached. Applications for larger grants (over £100k) will take longer to appraise.

Enquiries

If you have any further enquiries please email businessgrants@financesoutheast.com.