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35 Northamptonshire start-ups awarded £2,000 grants through Build Your Business 2.0

03 September 2025

Poster with Build Your Business 2.0 Grant Winners slogan

Thirty-five innovative start-ups from across Northamptonshire have been awarded £2,000 grants through the relaunched Build Your Business 2.0 programme, providing vital support to help them grow, thrive and contribute to the local economy.

Running until March 2026 and funded using £310,000 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Build Your Business 2.0 is delivered entirely free of charge, ensuring accessible support for anyone looking to launch or grow a business in Northamptonshire.

The grants are designed to fuel entrepreneurial journeys, providing vital funding alongside expert guidance to help founders grow and thrive in Northamptonshire.

Through Build Your Business 2.0, participants benefit from tailored support to shape and strengthen their business ideas. The programme offers:

  • 1:1 mentoring and expert-led workshops
  • Interactive webinars and networking opportunities
  • Access to specialist market research resources
  • Guidance on marketing strategies, financial forecasting, business planning, wellbeing and resilience
     

After completing this learning and development support, eligible businesses were invited to apply for a £2,000 start-up grant. Following a competitive application process, 35 innovative local businesses were selected.

“It’s fantastic to see so many entrepreneurs benefit from this programme. These grants not only provide crucial early-stage funding but also equip start-ups with the skills and confidence to succeed. By supporting local businesses in this way, we’re helping to promote innovation, create jobs, and strengthen Northamptonshire’s economy for the future.”Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC
“We’re incredibly proud to support the entrepreneurial spirit thriving across the local area. These £2,000 grants are more than just financial support - they’re a vote of confidence in the innovation, resilience and ambition of our local start-ups. This programme is helping to lay strong foundations for future growth and I look forward to seeing these businesses flourish across North Northamptonshire.”Cllr Jan O’Hara, Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth at NNC

West Northamptonshire small businesses include:

North Northamptonshire small businesses include:

“Taking part in the Build Your Business 2.0 programme has been transformative for Buds. It has given me, as a new business owner, the confidence, tools and connections to grow the business. The support and guidance I received in the workshops offered practical advice on marketing, finance and business planning, allowing me to refine my vision. Thanks to BIPC Northamptonshire, my initial rental costs are secured, giving me the freedom to concentrate on what really matters – delivering enriching outdoor experiences for children.”Natalie Green, owner of Buds Outdoor Play
“The Build Your Business 2.0 programme has been a game changer for me. It’s given me the confidence and strategy to grow Cloco Health with more focus and direction. Having expert guidance has really helped me turn my ideas into action. Building a business alone can feel really isolating and overwhelming, but the programme gave me guidance, support, and someone I could turn to for advice. Having that community and direction made such a difference and I am very grateful for it.”Chloe Baker, founder of Cloco Health

Find out more and register for Build Your Business 2.0 on the BIPC Northamptonshire website.
 

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