LEAP Small Business Grants

Eligibility requirements

What eligibility requirements must I meet to apply for LEAP funding?

To apply, your business must meet all the following requirements:

• Be registered with Companies House or HMRC
• Have less than 20 employees (FTE)
• Be in Horsham District
• Able to meet the match funding requirement: Minimum 25% of total project cost
• Able to provide a fully costed, 3-year business plan. Watch our How to write a Business Plan video to help you do this.

To access up to £5,000 through Green LEAP you must also:

• Have a climate-friendly business project idea
• Be able to evidence how the project will help your business achieve its climate ambitions.
• Have shown in your business plan, how your Green LEAP project is connected. Watch our How to write a Business Plan video to help you do this.

Can I use LEAP funding retrospectively?

No, a LEAP grant cannot go towards project expenditure that was spent prior to the date of application.

I’ve received a LEAP grant before, can I apply again?

Previous LEAP grant recipients are invited to apply, however those already in receipt of two grants will only be able to access a third grant through Green LEAP for a climate-friendly project. Only one Green LEAP grant can be accessed per business.

What types of projects can a LEAP grant fund towards?

Grants of up to £2,000 are for projects which will help future-proof your business.

Eligible project expenditure includes equipment, building works, e-commerce, etc. You can also use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice.

What types of projects can a Green LEAP grant fund towards?

Green LEAP grants of up to £5,000 are for climate-friendly projects which you can demonstrate will not only help future-proof your business but also achieve your business’ climate ambitions. Strong applications will include, but are not limited to:

• Carbon calculations
• Detailed evidence of energy saved and how this will be achieved
• Information on any infrastructure required to facilitate the project

What project expenditure is ineligible?

LEAP grants CANNOT fund towards ‘business as usual’ expenditure, planning costs, salaries (unless this is for an apprentice), overheads, rent or stock.

LEAP Success Stories

Kinder Business Directory: Sustainable suppliers for business

If your business offers sustainable products or services to other businesses and you would like to be included on the Kinder Business Directory, please email business@kinderliving.co.uk.

Use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice

Where can I access advice on taking on an apprentice?

If you are interested in taking on an apprentice and need some advice, you can:

• Sign up for free to the West Sussex Business Hub and watch our Apprenticeship Talent: Top Tips video
• Explore the How to take on an apprentice guidance on the Government website.
• Find more useful links on our Training and upskilling page.

How much LEAP funding can I access for an apprentice?

LEAP grants of up to £2,000 are available for apprentices currently, subject to funding.

What evidence do I need for my LEAP application?

Any business wanting to take on an apprentice should have a training provider in place and should be able to evidence that an agreement is in place to provide the ‘college’ training. If conducted in house, the trainer would still need to be accredited.

If you do not have evidence for either of those, you must at least be able to demonstrate that an initial discussion with a training provider has taken place and that the course was suitable and available.

Apply for LEAP funding

What do I need to include in my application?

In your application you will need to include the following:

• Details of the project you are applying for and how it will help establish or future-proof your business and achieve your climate ambitions.
• The timescale of the project you are intending to use the funding for. Please note that successful applicants will be given until March 2025 to complete their projects.
• A breakdown of how you will use the grant, plus your own financial contributions.
• Your fully costed, 3-year business plan. If you require business plan advice, please watch our How to write a business plan video. You can also visit the Government website and find more useful links on our Start Up Local page.

When are applicants notified of a decision?

Applicants are notified of a decision within 6 weeks of submitting their application.

Grant money release dates

This round of LEAP has now closed as the fund is oversubscribed.

Further rounds may be announced at a later date, subject to funding.

To make sure you're the first to know when the next LEAP funding round opens, sign up to our Business email newsletter.

Help to write a business plan

Sign up to the West Sussex Business Hub and watch our guidance video where Mike Clare from Intrinsia takes you through how to write a business plan, so you can prepare in advance and apply for a LEAP or Green LEAP grant with confidence. You will need to watch this video to access the online LEAP Application Form.

Watch the video trailer below.

You can also access additional support through our Business Training Programme, including a four-part video series on creating a strategy for business growth and the opportunity to access 1-2-1 support to help build your strategy.