Start-up grants launched for local businesses in Shetland

Grants will provide financial support to new business start-ups in Shetland and will be delivered through the Council’s Business Gateway Shetland Service.  The aim of the scheme is to deliver targeted support to stimulate and encourage new business activity and improve resilience and diversity in the local economy.

The grant scheme, which is now open to applications, is intended to incentivise new entrants to the local economy to create new jobs and economic opportunities, encourage innovation, boost productivity and growth, and support the recovery and renewal of the local economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding of up to £2,000 is available to eligible business start-ups, with further supplements of £1,000 available for young entrepreneurs (aged 30 and under) and to new businesses which will contribute to Shetland’s transition to net zero.

Kirsten Nicolson, Business Gateway Shetland manager said: “This new financial support will be a welcome boost for new business start-ups.  It will provide our business advisers with the opportunity to engage with more people at an early stage to assist with the transition into self-employment, and highlight the other business support services available to them through Business Gateway as well as other support agencies.”

Katrina Wiseman, area manager at HIE’s Shetland area team, said: “As part of our continued response to supporting economic recovery following the pandemic, we want to stimulate entrepreneurship and employment in Shetland. This grant will provide the incentive needed to support more young people to start their own businesses.”

Further information on the fund can be found at www.shetland.gov.uk/grants/shetland-business-startup-grant. In the first instance, prospective applicants should contact Business Gateway Shetland by email at: businessgateway@shetland.gov.uk or by phoning 01595 707451, or by speaking to their Business Gateway Adviser if they already have one assigned to them.