Start and Grow Programme

You may be interested in  - The Investment in Business Programme, which makes grants of between £5,000 and £75,000 available to businesses.

Looking for finance and support for your start up or micro-business? The Start and Grow Programme could help.

Earlier this year, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Growth Hub launched Start and Grow - a new, intensive programme of structured business support and grants, funded by the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) and Local Authority partners, Fenland District Council, Peterborough City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

If you are an entrepreneur considering starting a business; or have already started, but been trading for less than 3 years with 3 or less staff, and are based in Fenland, Peterborough or Huntingdonshire local authority areas, you could be eligible for grant funding and strategic business support through the Growth Hub.

So far, hundreds of businesses have benefited from the support and grants and we are delighted so many have been supported through the application process. 

The UK government has now extended the CRF programme until 31 December 2022. This means that the application window for grants has been extended to 11 November 2022. However, grant applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis, and once the remaining grant money has been allocated, then the programme will close (which could be in advance of 11 November). Therefore, if you or your business will benefit from a grant, we recommend making your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

All you need to do is register your interest and one of our advisors will contact you to invite you onto the programme. If you want to apply for a grant - it's vital you take action now.  The deadline for submitting your grant application is 11 November 2022.

Register your interest

What's available

For entrepreneurs, we will help you develop your business plans to provide you with the best chance to qualify for a CRF start-up grant.

For existing businesses, we will equip you with leadership and business planning skills to expand into new markets, create more jobs, increase profitability and productivity. Your new business planning skills will optimise your opportunity to gain a CRF grant, providing the financial support for your business growth.

The support will mean your business is more likely to survive and thrive, through a combination of skills development, business planning and access to the CRF grant provision.

At this stage we are asking entrepreneurs and businesses to express their interest in getting this support. You can register your interest on the CPCA Growth Hub website, after which one of their business advisors will contact you to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have.

About the Community Renewal Fund

The Start and Grow Programme is funded through the Government's Community Renewal Fund, focussed on regenerating communities and enabling more people to benefit from economic growth through investment in skills, enterprise and employment.

The Combined Authority and its partners received funding from the CRF for this new business support and grant programme, which will be delivered across Fenland, Peterborough and Huntingdonshire local authority areas. It will equip new and existing enterprises with the business skills they need for sustainable growth and creating new jobs. The project is supported by and run in partnership with Fenland District Council, Peterborough City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.