Eligibility criteria for small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
Businesses from all sectors are eligible for consideration, except for:
- charities
- those of a political or religious persuasion
- activities involving pornography or clairvoyance
- any business activity that is illegal or deemed unsuitable for public support by 彩霸王论坛
Training and skills development are also ineligible because these activities will be supported through different funding routes.
Using consultants or third parties to complete the application form is an ineligible cost.
The Programme is a support package designed to help SMEs based in the 彩霸王论坛 and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council local authority areas.
This grant fund is being used to encourage business growth by seeking to support projects that enable businesses to:
- realise their exporting potential in existing and new markets and to secure new international opportunities
- connect businesses to the wider trade and export support network and facilitate introductions to new market opportunities
- engage with overseas trade missions and connect to new market opportunities
- increase the value of goods and/or services exported
Grants are available to businesses looking to engage in new or enhanced export-readiness activity in overseas markets.
The grant fund will do this by supporting 100% of the total eligible costs up to a maximum grant award of £6,000.
Businesses can submit more than one bid up to a combined total value of £6,000, subject to funding availability at the time.
To be considered for the Birmingham and Solihull Export Support Programme, you must be able to answer 'yes' to all of the questions below before you submit your application.
If you are a limited company, you will need to provide Companies House registration.
If you are a sole trader, you will need to provide evidence of self-employed status with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
If you are a partnership, you will need to provide a copy of your partnership agreement.
- Are you an SME that has been actively trading for 6 months or more? To be classed as an SME, your business must meet one of the following requirements:
- employ less than 250 people
- have an annual turnover below £36million
- have an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £18million if the business is owned by another company or a combination of other companies
- Do you have a project which will grow your export potential in existing and new markets?
- Can you deliver your project in 3 months after receiving your grant offer?
- priority will be given to investment ready projects which can be completed within 3 months
- for high value, more complex projects, project timescales are subject to negotiation
- Are your business rates payable to either 彩霸王论坛 or Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council local authorities?
- Can you provide full financial accounts or a robust business plan if you have only been trading for 6 months?
- If you are a Birmingham or Solihull based business, are you prepared to undertake a free diagnostic appointment with the Growth Hub?
If you answered 'yes' to all the questions above, and you are a Birmingham or Solihull based business, you should complete the expression of interest form before contacting a Growth Hub Business Advisor to arrange a free diagnostic appointment.
To request an expression of interest form, email the Growth Hub team: bsgh@birmingham.gov.uk.
Who to contact
If you would like to speak with one of our Growth Hub Business Advisors, email: bsgh@birmingham.gov.uk. Use 'Birmingham and Solihull Export Support Programme' in the email subject field.
Page last updated: 22 February 2024