Business grants are sums of money that are given to individuals or organisations for a stated purpose; they are used for a specific purpose or business activity. Some grants are linked to specific geographical areas and those in need of economic regeneration. In cases such as these the areas have more business grants available to them.

Business grants are a really competitive area and you need to do everything in your power to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of being successful in gaining one. An example of how this can be achieved is by talking to an advisor. An advisor for a business grant can check your suitability for a grant and can advise you on other aspects that will increase your chance of being success in gaining one.

With all grants, regardless of who awards it to you there are strict terms and conditions that need to be followed. If you don't stick to these terms and conditions you are risking your business grant. This is because your business grant is a sum of money that never has to be repaid; however if you use your business grant to pay for aspects that have nothing to do with your proposed business project you will have to pay back the grant in full with added interest.

Grants only cover an aspect of the money and you supply the rest. Before your business grant will be awarded to you it is essential that you demonstrate how your business can provide the other half of the money needed to make your business idea or proposed plan work.

As previously mentioned, applications for these grants are high and the competition to get one is fierce, which is why you need to be aware of some of the factors that can affect your application. These factors are:

• Location of your business – some areas get extra grants due to aspects such as social deprivation or high unemployment

• Size of business – the size of your business is measured either by your turnover or the number of employers that you have, typically 250 or less

• Industry Sector – can be limited and subject to restrictions in certain sectors, which are defined by the European Commission

• Purpose of the grant – such as if you need to buy machinery, improve your offices, increase employment or to develop export markets

If you are successful in your application for a business grant, the body awarding your grant will expect a high level of commitment from you and your business and your project has to be commercially viable.

When it comes to government grants, which is just one of the many awarding bodies, you will get support to business in both a financial form as well as providing access to networks of expert advice and information.

If you are hoping to gain a business grant from one of the many awarding bodies you should speak to a business advisor who will be able to evaluate your application and provide you with advice about what would make the application have a more likelihood of success.