About the West Midlands SME Grant Programme

July 19, 2024

Eligibility

For Birmingham, Solihull MBC and Shropshire based businesses, this is a capital only grant programme.
For Cannock Chase based businesses, both capital and revenue expenditure are eligible for consideration.

The West Midlands Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Grant Programme (WMGP) has launched, and funding round 17 is now open.

To be considered for this grant, you must submit your application form before 24 July 2024.

Funding round 18 will open on 29 July 2024.

This grant is for:

start-up SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £1,000 to £7,500 are available for Birmingham Cannock Chase and Solihull based businesses only)
existing SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £1,000 to £100,000 are available for Birmingham, Cannock Chase, Solihull, and Shropshire based businesses)

We expect most applications to apply for an average grant of between £10,000 to £20,000, and only in exceptional circumstances will grants of up to £100,000 be awarded. This is to make sure that the limited WMGP budget is given to as many businesses as possible.

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 Birmingham City Council

Training and skills development are also ineligible because provisions for these activities will be supported through different funding routes.

Business projects can be considered for:

new business start-ups (for Birmingham, Cannock Chase and Solihull based businesses only)
expanding and growing existing businesses
inward investment
developing new markets opportunities
innovation, including new product development
capital investment
an increase in the productive capacity of new and existing premises through new property builds, refurbishment and extensions
digital projects
a one-off £2,000 apprenticeship grant (for Cannock Chase based businesses only)

Apply for a grant

To support your application, Birmingham and Solihull based businesses will need to complete a free business diagnostic with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub (GBSLEP GH). In preparation for the diagnostic appointment, complete a GBSLEP diagnostic form. This diagnostic form provides the Growth Hub with a summary of your company and your proposed project. It is not the WMGP application form, which must be completed separately.

When we receive your application, your details will be shared with the GBSLEP GH business advisor to arrange a free business diagnostic appointment. This requirement only applies to Birmingham and Solihull based businesses.

If you are a Cannock Chase based business, you do not need to undertake a business diagnostic, but you can speak to a member of the Economic Development Team at Cannock Chase Council about your application. Email EconDev@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or telephone 01543 464267.

If you are a Shropshire based business, you do not need to undertake a business diagnostic, but you are welcome to speak to a Marches Growth Hub business advisor about your application. Telephone: 01743 250526.

All the documents needed to apply for this grant are available. We strongly recommend that you check the eligibility criteria to make sure that you qualify for consideration before approaching a business advisor and completing a grant application.

You can download the WMGP eligibility criteria and other WMGP documents.

If you want to receive the WMGP application, you can email wmgp@birmingham.gov.uk.

The guidance provided within the downloads will help you to complete the application form. It is important that you make sure that you follow the guidance closely to prevent delays with your application.

We recognise that you may still have some questions regarding your submission, so we have prepared some frequently asked questions which you may find helpful.