Applications invited for Business Promotion Grant
Businesses in Devon have the opportunity to apply for Devon County Council’s Business Promotion Grant this month.
Grants of up to £1,500 are available through the scheme which aims to help companies who are looking to promote their products and services to wider audiences.
The funding, which is offered through a competitive bidding process, is to help local firms cover their exhibiting costs at high profile UK trade shows and events. Applications need to be submitted by noon on Monday 20 May 2019.
More than 40 companies have so far benefited from the funding scheme launched by Devon County Council in 2016.
It has helped Devon brands gain a showcase at prestigious trade events including the Top Drawer Spring Fair, Gadget Show, Advanced Engineering Show, London Fashion Week, International Disaster Response EXPO, and the Speciality Fine Foods Show.
Among previous successful applicants is Exeter-based Bird Sunglasses. The company received a grant to attend 100% Optical in January and has since gone on to scoop prestigious industry awards.
Ed Bird, Founder of Bird Sunglasses, said: "Working with Devon County Council through the Business Promotion Grant programme has been a great opportunity for us. The Grant enabled us to exhibit at the largest eyewear show in the UK, which was an important step in launching our brand and raising our profile. We've since secured valuable contracts and have just won Frame of the Year at the Optician Awards - this is one of the highest accolades in eyewear so to achieve this at such an early stage is a real honour."
The Business Promotion Grant is part of the County Council’s Devon Delivers programme, which promotes Devon as an innovative business location with great businesses.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “We have seen some really innovative local firms successfully gain a Business Promotion Grant over the last few years which has given them an opportunity to reach national and international audiences, while also highlighting the quality of businesses we have here in Devon. Recipients of the grants have told us that this scheme has helped them gain valuable exposure and find new customers, which is important for the development of their business and also supports the growth of Devon’s economy.”
The grants are only available to businesses or organisations based in Devon, and providing products or services originating substantially in the county.
Preference will be given to businesses promoting a new product or service, and also to those in key sectors including digital/creative, advanced engineering, business/professional, food and drink, research/science, energy and marine.
The grant will support eligible businesses to cover direct exhibition costs of attending a trade show or event between May 2019 and March 2020. The exact amounts awarded will be at the discretion of the Devon Delivers team, based on the quality of the application and how it meets Devon Delivers priorities.
Application forms and guidelines are available at www.investdevon.co.uk/business/devon-delivers-business-promotion-grant/
Applications should be submitted to simone.marillier@devon.gov.uk no later than noon on Monday 20 May. Successful applicants will be notified by Tuesday 28 May.
For more information contact Geri Panteva on 01392 383884 or geri.panteva@devon.gov.uk
