Applications invited for latest round of Business Promotion Grant funding
Businesses in Devon looking to reach new customers are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of Devon County Council’s Business Promotion Grant.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to help firms in the county to promote their products and services to wider audiences at trade shows and events.
More than 20 companies have benefited from the funding scheme launched by Devon County Council last year as part of its Devon Delivers programme, which promotes Devon as an innovative business location with great businesses.
Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “The aim of the Business Promotion Grant is to provide Devon businesses with the opportunity to gain national and international exposure by attending trade shows across the UK - which also highlights Devon as a location for thriving business. I’m pleased that we’re launching another round of the bidding process as it’s a great opportunity for local firms to expand their customer base. Their growth, in turn, has a positive impact on Devon’s economy.
“The previous rounds of the scheme proved extremely popular and enabled around 20 businesses from all over the county to showcase their brands at high-profile events, such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and BBC Good Food Show.”
Among the previous successful applicants was Powderkeg Brewery, a craft beer microbrewery based in Woodbury Salterton, that attended the Craft Beer Rising event in London. Last year, Powderkeg Brewery’s pilsner “Cut Loose” went on to win "Best Lager" at The Beer Awards run by IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition), where it was described as “one of the 16 best beers in the world”.
Jessica Magill, Co-owner of Powderkeg Brewery, said: “The Craft Beer Rising event is incredibly important for our industry, and we sold £1,000 of beer to a wholesaler and £10,000 to a national distributor. We're still a relatively new business, having only been selling our beer for less than two years, but the grant enabled us to promote our brand, and to raise our profile. Having a presence at the show also helped to cement a deal to supply ASDA stores nationwide, which has helped take us from being a local brewery to a nationally recognised brewery.”
The funding will support eligible businesses to cover direct exhibition costs of attending a trade show or event outside of Devon between July 2017 and March 2018.
The grants are only available to businesses or organisations based in Devon, and providing products or services originating substantially in Devon. 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, distribution/logistics, research/science, energy and marine.
Application forms and guidelines are available at www.investdevon.co.uk/business/devon-delivers-business-promotion-grant/
Applications should be submitted to hannah.brown@devon.gov.uk no later than noon on Monday 10 July. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 21 July.
For more information contact Geri Panteva on 01392 383884 or geri.panteva@devon.gov.uk
Picutred: Last year's recipients.
