Ceredigion County Council has opened applications for the Cynnal y Cardi Business Capital Grant, funded by the UK Government through the Local Growth Fund. The program is designed to strengthen business resilience, stimulate economic growth, and support the long-term prosperity of Ceredigion through capital investment and directly related specialist support.
Program Aims
• Increase capital investment in businesses with high growth potential, improving productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
• Support the growth and expansion of new and existing businesses.
• Facilitate the development and sustainable growth of the social enterprise sector.
• Promote job creation, workforce development, and increased wage levels across the local economy.
• Prioritize projects demonstrating innovation, access to higher-value markets, and new or creative approaches to business growth and long-term sustainability.
Priority Sectors
Applications are accepted from businesses across all sectors, but priority will be given to projects in the following areas:
• Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering
• Horticulture and Forestry
• Construction
• Digital
• Energy
• Food and Drink
• Retail
• Tourism and Leisure
Funding Details
• Grant Amount: Grants range from a minimum of £2,500 to a maximum of £50,000.
• Contribution: The grant can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Match Funding: The remaining funding must be provided in cash from private-sector sources rather than as an in-kind contribution.
• Payment: Successful applicants must pay 100% of the project expenditure before receiving the grant as reimbursement.
• Selection: Applications are competitive, with value for money and project impact considered during assessment.
Eligible Expenditure
• Capital Expenditure: New or second-hand plant, machinery, and specialist equipment that will support business development.
• Improvements to commercial premises that increase business capability, capacity, or customer appeal. General repairs and maintenance are excluded.
• Low- or zero-emission factory vehicles used in industrial or manufacturing settings.
• IT and digital hardware directly linked to the proposed project.
• Specialist Revenue Expenditure: Technical or specialist training associated with new capital equipment.
• Machinery installation and commissioning costs.
• Specialist software required to operate new capital equipment.
• Charges associated with delivering capital equipment.
All specialist revenue expenditure must be directly connected to the proposed capital investment.
Ineligible Costs
• Staff costs, including costs relating to directors and business owners
• Taxes, bank charges, and other general revenue expenditure
• Contingency fees
• Costs committed or incurred before the grant is formally offered and accepted
• Professional fees for preparing a grant application
• Feasibility studies
• Membership or affiliation fees
• Working capital, including stock, rent, rates, and administration
• Commercial vans and other general vehicles
• General repairs and maintenance to commercial premises
• Like-for-like replacement of fixtures, fittings, furniture, or general office equipment
• Renewable-energy installations, including solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines
• Replacement lighting or heating systems intended solely as green alternatives
• Costs associated with statutory or legal obligations, including planning permission and architectural plans
• VAT for VAT-registered businesses
• Cash purchases
• Items acquired through hire purchase, lease purchase, extended credit agreements, or finance leases
• Purchase of land or property
Eligibility Criteria
• Business Type: Open to start-ups, micro businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees and turnover or balance-sheet totals below the applicable SME thresholds.
• Location: Businesses must be located and registered in Ceredigion. The proposed investment must support business operations within the county.
• Growth Plans: Applicants must demonstrate plans to increase employment, turnover, productivity, innovation, or market reach. Priority will be given to businesses with the ambition and potential to scale.
• Project Completion: All grant-funded expenditure must be delivered and paid for by 31 January 2027.
Application Details
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest, which will be assessed for eligibility. Businesses with eligible projects may then be invited to submit a full application with supporting documentation.
• Expression of Interest Opens: 01 July 2026
• Expression of Interest Deadline: 03 August 2026
• Full Application Deadline: 14 August 2026 - by invitation only
• Project Completion and Claim Deadline: 31 January 2027
Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and may close earlier if the available funding is fully allocated. Retrospective funding is not available, so applicants must not begin expenditure before receiving and accepting formal grant approval.
Interested businesses should review the complete eligibility criteria, expenditure rules, procurement requirements, and application guidance on the official Ceredigion County Council program page before applying.