23 February 2026
Welcome
What to expect from today:
•Help to assess your readiness
•Information about how to apply
•Top tips for a good application
•How the Growth Hub can support you
•Opportunity to ask questions
Meet the High Growth Team
James OrianJoshRoxy
The purpose of this grant scheme is to support
ambitious businesses that are poised for growth.
It's designed for growth focused projects that
will accelerate productivity, employment
opportunities, and have a positive impact on the
wider economy of Norfolk.
Match-funded programme
Pays 30% of eligible costs
Max. grant is £50,000
Min. project value £16,700
Key considerations
•Do I meet the minimum requirements for a
grant application?
•Is it a fit with the BGF scheme objectives?*
•Is the project part of business as usual or
is it a growth project?
•Does it enable a significant opportunity in
your business?
•What alternative funding have you explored?
*see the Business Growth Fund FAQ document (NCC –BGF –FAQ Final v5)
Common concerns
"I'm worried
about
getting it
wrong"
"This will
take too
long"
"This looks
complicated"
It’s structured, not complex
Advisers here to support you
Most info you already have
Define your growth project
Purpose –why this, why now
•What do you want to do?
•Why do you need to do it?
•What difference will
grant support make?
•How will it help your
business grow?
Scope –the practicalities
•When do you need it?
•Where will the project take
place?
•How much will it cost?
•Do I have the time and
commitment to complete it?
•Do I have the funds for the
project?
Process
Scope
•Define
purpose
•Scope
project
•Eligibil
ity
check
Prep
•Applicat
ion form
•3 quotes
per item
•Gather
supporti
ng
informat
ion
Submit
•Supporti
ng
document
s
•Signed
final
applicat
ion
Your Eligibility (to apply)
•Your business must be
•An SME with two full years of accounts
•Project based in Norfolk
•Financially stable (not insolvent)
•Fall within subsidy control thresholds (£315,000 over last 3
years)
•No grant within last 3 years (from date of offer)
•Project hasn't started yet, no pre-spend.
*see the Business Growth Fund FAQ document (NCC –BGF –FAQ Final v5)
Project suitability
WAGES
What goes into the application
Info you
copy from
elsewhere
Yes/no
questions
Narrative
answer
Procureme
nt info
Information for application
form
Remember this is information you should already
have
•Check if you have all the information for the
sections
o VAT number
o PAYE number
oBusiness Rates
•All fields must be completed, if not applicable
–just say "N/A"
•If you have any gaps, check in with your
adviser
Narrative for a good
submission
Get support
Ask for
adviser
feedback
Clarify
anything
unclear
Be clear and
focused
Easy to read
Simple language
All fields
completed
Tell a compelling
story
Align with
criteria
Explain what and
why
Use metrics and
evidence
Background of business
•Tell a story about your business
owho you are
o what your business does*
•Think about how you can share your story
o What got you here
o Where you are now
o What your ambitions are
•*If there are technical aspects, make it easier
for us to understand
Project outline
•Why this, why now
o What problem you solve, what opportunity you have
o Be clear about reason is for the project
o Why you have chosen your approach
•How it will be done
o Details on timing, extent of project, plans
•Explain how it fits in with your growth plans
Support impact statement
•What the project will deliver and how?
o For your business growth?
o For your customer base?
o For the wider community?
•How it will the outcome be measured?
o What metrics can evidence the growth?
o Show progression (from this, to that)
•Focus on the key impact statements
o Biggest change factors (e.g. turnover, jobs, innovation)
Procurement info
•On form, input the preferred supplier
costs for project costs
•Ideas on how to simplify this (as each
cost will need 3 quotes)
•Must be in GBP £ (convert at current
exchange rate if imported)
Gather required Information
2 years of full business accounts (including
turnover, balance sheet)
Recent year to date management accounts
Last 3 months of business bank statements
Forecast showing impact of project
Evidence of match funding
Evidence of permissions in place
Procurement rules
Preparing the quotes
•Show comparison in table with reason for preferred supplier
•Send through quotes with your application
•Each quote should be £1,000 or more
•Minimum three quotes, screenshots, price comparisons or supplier emails per item
Signature and submit
Wet signature (whole document
scanned)
Docusign (or similar electronic
signature)
Mail all documentation to adviser
Potential clarification questions
from adviser or Diligence team
Process from here...
Decision
•Due diligence
review
•Panel decision
•Offer letter
issued
Buy
•Offer accepted
•Purchase items
•Complete
project
Claim
•Submit evidence
of purchase
•Meet obligations
of offer letter
•Make claim
How we support you
With the grant process
•One-to-one adviser
support
•Help defining your
project
•Eligibility checks
•Guidance on
documentation
•Step-by-step help
completing the
application
•Register with the
Continued High Growth Support
Strategy a
nd planning
advice
Growth
project
support
Tailored
support
Access to
other reso
urces
For your business growth
What others have had to say:
"Thank you very much for bringing us such good news yesterday. There was
great excitement! It is good to know we have your support and your
enthusiasm, it really has been a pleasure working with you."
“I always walk away from our
sessions feeling clearer,
more focused, and better
equipped to drive our
business forward.”
“With your adaptable support, we’ve
been able to move forward on issues
that felt completely stuck."
Summary
•Help to assess your
readiness
•Information about how
to apply
•Top tips for a good
application
•How the Growth Hub can
support you
Q&A
•Will you get copy of slides?
Yes
•How do I start? Follow the QR
Code
•Not sure about scope? Let's
chat
•Not ready for this round? Tell
us*
•Will you tell me who to buy
from? No
•Do you really need 3 quotes?
Yes*
