Black Country Transformational GOLD Growth Opportunities: Local Delivery (BCTGOLD) Jay Patel City of Wolverhampton Council

Growth Hubs Promoting, co-ordinating and delivering access to business support services locally A single point of access for enquiries leading to a wide range of business support and expertise Integration of national and local business support Available to start up, small and established businesses Partnership development and working to support businesses 1 Growth Hub per LEP area

Support Referrals and signposting to… funding and finance options export opportunities innovation and product development skills and training incubation/start-up legal/regulatory premises and relocation specialist advice & consultancy

Partnership Working Walsall MBC Sandwell MBC Wolverhampton CC Dudley MBC Black Country Chamber of Commerce Further Education Colleges UK Trade & Investment National Business Support Programmes University of Wolverhampton Black Country Consortium Sandwell MBC Walsall MBC

BCT GOLD Project Partners:

BCT GOLD Project Team Wolverhampton: Project Delivery Partners: Jay Patel, Joanna Davies, Steve Poole Project Delivery Partners: Dudley: Mark Ray Sandwell: Nicy Morgan / Paul Smith Walsall: Dev Thind Black Country Consortium: Lynne Avery

The BCT GOLD Offer: Match funded Capital and Revenue Grants for SMEs delivering transformational projects, supported by the European Regional Development Fund

BCT GOLD Aims: 1. To assist SMEs in key sectors to deliver transformational projects that will grow the business. 2. Projects assessed on the impact of the grant support across the business, including turnover, productivity, new products and job creation.

1. Pay rates to a Black Country Local Authority 2. Qualify as an SME: 1. Pay rates to a Black Country Local Authority 2. Qualify as an SME: Annual Turnover less than £42m Balance sheet value less than £36m Fewer than 250 employees Less than 25% owned by another company 3. Trade business to business BCT GOLD Eligibility:

BCT GOLD Eligibility: 4. SME current growth ‹20% 5. Trade in a key sector: Advanced Manufacturing Environmental Technologies Building Technologies Transport Technologies Life Sciences/ Business Services Social Enterprises trading in one of the above

BCT GOLD Support: Capital and Revenue Grants from £1,500 to £9,000 Capital and Revenue can be combined Intervention rate 30% (70% match funded by SME) Grant award decision by independent Investment Decision Group

BCTGOLD Application Process: Stage 1 - Application process: Go online to the project website : www.bcgrowthhub.com/bctg Download and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) Email completed EOI to: enquiries@bcgrowthhub.com

BCT GOLD Application Process: Stage 2 - Application process: EOIs eligible for BCTGOLD - assigned a Local Authority Business Adviser Business Adviser visits to discuss SME’s Growth Plans and offer support through the formal Full Application process.

BCT GOLD Application Process: Stage 3 - Application process: Full Applications reviewed by the Project Team Eligible Applications assessed by the Investment Decision Group SMEs notified of successful Applications and a Grant Offer Letter/Contract issued.

BCT GOLD ESSENTIALS: Complete the EOI with as much detail as possible to help us understand your project and its aims Make the most of your Business Adviser to define your Growth Plans and how your project will help you to realise these. Take time to complete the Full Application and ensure you submit all the required documents, e.g. three like-for-like quotes, a business bank statement and a cash flow forecast.

BCT GOLD Grant Payments: Projects completed within 90 days SMEs pay their suppliers in full prior to requesting the grant, i.e. cash flow the project Stage payments not available Grant Claim Form, supplier invoices and SME bank statements required before payment released

BCT GOLD CLOSE: Thank you for listening Any questions?