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Funding Sources

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Advisers at Business Gateway West Lothian are well versed in the eligibility criteria for many of the schemes of financial assistance currently on offer to companies based in or relocating to West Lothian. They can help you search for grants and other funds which are appropriate to your business, and have a proven track record in helping companies to access these funds.

Business Gateway West Lothian has a suite of loan/grant products that provide support for growing businesses in West Lothian, or those firms intending to move to West Lothian known as the West Lothian Business Change Fund.  It is a 'gap funder' providing finance to small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) and may also help firms to source additional support from other funders such as Scottish Enterprise. Each product stands on its own right; additionally, they may form a complementary suite of support for firms as they grow. See below for more information.

There are also a number of other products available including grants, loans, equity investment funds and innovation products, to find out more visit the Business Gateway Website.
 

West Lothian Business Change Fund

Please use this 4 step procedure to determine if your business is eligible to apply and if so, you'll be contacted by the Business Growth team at West Lothian Council's Enterprise Centre.

West Lothian Council would like to help if your business is:

  • Introducing a new product or service
  • Investing in manufacturing/quality improvements
  • Opening up new markets through e-commerce
  • Developing your competitiveness Gap Funding through marketing and staff development

A range of discretionary gap funding assistance is available.  Your business can apply if it has less than 50 staff and annual sales of less than £6.7M OR net assets of less than £6.7M.

Support is targeted at projects which help firms strengthen their trading capacity or competitiveness.

Eligible Sectors:

  • Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Software Development
  • Renewables
  • Wider-than-local services (see Ineligible Sectors)

Ineligible Sectors:

  • Retail
  • Professional Services
  • Property Development
  • Social or Personal Services
  • Motor Trade
  • Pubs, Clubs & Restaurants
  • Local Services

Small Business Loan Fund
Exclusive to businesses in their first 3 years of trading.
Up to 30% not exceeding £5,000.
Interest free to encourage early stage investment.

West Lothian Loan Fund
Open to incorporated businesses only.  Up to 30% support, not exceeding £30,000. Typically 4% interest per annum. Up to 36 months 
repayment term. Typically secured by a 2nd ranking floating charge. 

Training Grant
Up to 30% not exceeding £1,000.
Objective is to encourage investment in staff development.

Project Grant
Up to 20% not exceeding £5,000. 
Objective is to help firms enhance their competitive edge through capacity and/or efficiency improvements.

Innovation Grant
Up to 30% not exceeding £10,000.
Targeted at innovation-led growth where firms are  investing in product or process development and implementation.

West Lothian's Business Change Funds are offerered under the framework provided by the Scottish Local Authority Economic Development group (SLAED)'s State Aid guidelines.
 
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