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BIPC Jumpstart: South Cambridgeshire District Council

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BIPC Jumpstart logo, Jump into your new business with BIPC Jumpstart

The BIPC Jumpstart application deadline has now passed. We are no longer accepting applications for our 2023/2024 grants programme.

Meet the winners.

Grants, advice and tools designed to help start-up businesses Jumpstart!

What is BIPC Jumpstart?

BIPC Jumpstart is a grants and support programme for start-up businesses. This webpage is for businesses in South Cambridgeshire.

We understand that the path to business success can be challenging. Especially for those in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey. That's why BIPC Jumpstart is committed to providing financial assistance, and access to a wide range of invaluable resources.

BIPC Jumpstart includes:

  • BIPC Jumpstart Grant: Grants of up to £10,000 for eligible entrepreneurs.
  • Support programme: expert workshops and one-to-ones to help you gain invaluable insights and guidance from seasoned industry professionals. BIPC Jumpstart connects you with a network of experienced subject matter experts who can offer personalised advice to help you start your business journey.
  • Access to Resources: these will help you to research your market, identify opportunities and make well-informed decisions when developing your business plans. We want to equip you with the tools you need to thrive in today's competitive landscape.

BIPC Jumpstart grants

Up to £25K in grants for capital expenditure. Information about capital expenditure on GOV.UK. Finalists pitched their business to our judges.

  • One Platinum grant - £10,000
  • One Gold grant - £6,000
  • One Silver grant - £4,000
  • Five Bronze grants – £1,000 each

Eligibility for BIPC Jumpstart grants

  • Your business must be operating or trading within South Cambridgeshire.
  • Existing businesses - the business must have been registered with either Companies House or HMRC, on or after 1 December 2022. Proof of registration should be provided as part of the grant application process.
  • New businesses - if you secure a BIPC Jumpstart grant, you must register your business within two months of the date that the winners are announced.

For a full list of criteria please visit our Terms and conditions.

What does it involve?

  1. You will need to take part in at least 3 live* sessions from our Support Programme prior to the application deadline. Pre-recorded On-Demand sessions do not count towards this total.
  2. Complete and submit our application documents including our 5 critical questions, information about your business, and proposals for how you would spend the grant.
  3. If your application is shortlisted in the first round, we will request a cash flow and sales forecast. We can support you with this if required.
  4. A final shortlist will be invited to pitch their business to our panel of judges. The judges will decide who will receive grant funding.

How do I apply?

Please note that the deadline has now passed for submitting an application.

Review the full BIPC Jumpstart terms and conditions.

Book, attend, and complete associated feedback forms for a minimum of 3 live BIPC Jumpstart support sessions taking place between Monday 11 September and Friday 17 November 2023.

You can choose any combination of 3 sessions (one to ones, webinars, or workshops).

On-demand, pre-recorded sessions do not count towards this total.

Find out more about our support programme.

Start your application by creating your account online.

Submit your application form and answers to our 5 critical questions below by Midday Friday 1 December 2023.

  1. Tell us about yourself (Unscored) – It’s important for us to know who we’re investing in. How did you get to this point of starting or running a business?
  2. Tell us about your business or business idea (Scored out of 40) – Have you clearly identified a problem and solution? Do you have a well-defined business vision? Can you communicate this to us in a concise and engaging way?
  3. Why will your business be successful? (Scored out of 40) – Do you have a clear understanding of your customers and market? Do you have certain experience or access to skills? What sets your business apart? Is there a market for your product/service?
  4. Your business impact (Scored out of 40) – Are you aware of the impact of your business on the environment? Tell us about the sustainability and ethical impact of your business. How will your business contribute positively to your local area?
  5. Your plan for the £10K grant (Scored out of 40) – You will be required to spend the grant within 3 months of receiving it (expected June or July 2024). Tell us what you will spend the grant on and what impact will this grant have on your business? What is your plan?

Applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline. First-round shortlisted applicants will be notified on Tuesday 16 January 2024 and will have the opportunity to receive expert support with their financials and other aspects of their business.

This support will be available between Wednesday 17 January and Tuesday 30 January 2024. The first-round shortlisted will be required to submit a completed version of the ‘Business Plan Financials’ document by Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Business Plan Financials - Excel, 262kb

The ‘Business Plan Financials’ document will be assessed to determine the finalists going through to our pitch day. Finalists will be announced on Tuesday 13 February 2024.

Further pitch support available – Wednesday 14 February - Monday 26 February 2024.

The finalists will pitch to our judges for their opportunity to secure grant funding. Pitch Day – between Tuesday 27 February – Friday 1 March (In person - location TBC).

Celebration event and winners announced – Week commencing Monday 4 March 2024 (In person - location TBC).

Accessible formats only

If you require a more accessible format, please see the steps below. Please read the following steps carefully as failure to adhere to them may result in your application being ruled ineligible.

Step 1 – confirm your eligibility

Review the full terms and conditions.

Step 2 - attend three Jumpstart support sessions

Book, attend, and complete associated feedback forms for a minimum of 3 live BIPC Jumpstart support sessions taking place between Monday 11 September and Friday 17 November 2023.

You can choose any combination of 3 sessions (one to ones, webinars, or workshops).

On-demand, pre-recorded sessions do not count towards this total.

Find out more about our support programme.

Step 3 - make your application

Download the application form and associated documents for your chosen submission type (Written, video or audio).

BIPC Jumpstart accessible application form - South Cambridgeshire, Word 48KB

Choose one of the following

Written

BIPC Jumpstart written accessible format - Word, 17KB

Video

BIPC Jumpstart video submission guidance - PDF, 211KB

Audio

BIPC Jumpstart audio submission guidance - PDF, 153KB

Submit your application form and answers to our 5 critical questions below by Midday Friday 1 December 2023.

  1. Tell us about yourself (Unscored) – It’s important for us to know who we’re investing in. How did you get to this point of starting or running a business?
  2. Tell us about your business or business idea (Scored out of 40) – Have you clearly identified a problem and solution? Do you have a well-defined business vision? Can you communicate this to us in a concise and engaging way?
  3. Why will your business be successful? (Scored out of 40) – Do you have a clear understanding of your customers and market? Do you have certain experience or access to skills? What sets your business apart? Is there a market for your product/service?
  4. Your business impact (Scored out of 40) – Are you aware of the impact of your business on the environment? Tell us about the sustainability and ethical impact of your business. How will your business contribute positively to your local area?
  5. Your plan for the £10K grant (Scored out of 40) – You will be required to spend the grant within 3 months of receiving it (expected June or July 2024). Tell us what you will spend the grant on and what impact will this grant have on your business? What is your plan?

Step 4 - shortlisted candidates receive expert support and submit business plan financials

Applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline. First-round shortlisted applicants will be notified on Tuesday 16 January 2024 and will have the opportunity to receive expert support with their financials and other aspects of their business. This support will be available between Wednesday 17 January and Tuesday 30 January 2024. The first-round shortlisted will be required to submit a completed version of the ‘Business Plan Financials’ document by Wednesday 31 January 2024.

BIPC Jumpstart - Business Plan Financials - Excel format, 242kb

Step 5 - finalists announced

The ‘Business Plan Financials’ document will be assessed to determine the finalists going through to our pitch day. Finalists will be announced on Tuesday 13 February 2024.

Step 6 - pitch support available

Further pitch support available – Wednesday 14 February - Monday 26 February 2024

Step 7 - pitch day

The finalists will pitch to our judges for their opportunity to secure grant funding. Pitch Day – between Tuesday 27 February – Friday 1 March (In person - location TBC)

Step 8 - celebration event and winners announced

Week commencing Monday 4 March 2024 (In person - location TBC).

Key dates for BIPC Jumpstart grants

  • Monday 11 September 2023 - applications opened at midday
  • Friday 17 November 2023 - support programme closed
  • Friday 1 December 2023 - applications closed at midday
  • Tuesday 16 January 2024 - shortlist announced
  • Wednesday 17 January to Tuesday 30 January 2024 - 1:1 expert support available for shortlisted candidates
  • Wednesday 31 January 2024 - deadline for shortlisted candidates to submit 'Business Plan Financials' document
  • Tuesday 13 February 2024 - finalists announced
  • Wednesday 14 February to Monday 26 February - pitch support available for finalists
  • Between Tuesday 27 February and Friday 1 March - pitch day 
  • Week commencing Monday 4 March - winners announced at celebration event

Missed applying for Jumpstart this year?

If you are thinking of starting a business, we can help you with workshops, events and one to one support. Find out more about support from the Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire.

Further support resources

BIPC Jumpstart Business Plan Template207KB–word
Size: 207KBFile format: word

Exclusive offers for Jumpstarters

Matt Sadler - Level Up Print

I'm offering an exclusive print package for BIPC Jumpstarters.

Find out more on the Level Up Print website.

Level Up Print logo

Paul Lane - Savvy Design

The Exclusive Offer for Jumpstarters! We're offering £200 off the design package, so you can get the perfect branding and website for your business.

Find out more at the Savvy Design website.

Savvy Design logo

Cristina Vannini Goodchild – CVG Solutions

Our GDPR training, which is available through our user-friendly GDPR e-learning! platform, has been specifically designed to support small businesses in complying with the regulation requirements on training.

My exclusive offer for BIPC Jumpstarters, is 20% OFF the first module from the

GDPR Individual Module e-learning package.

CVG Solutions logo

Support programme

Please note that the Jumpstart support programme has concluded.

You can find our support programme events on Eventbrite, including expert workshops and one-to-ones. Gain invaluable insights and guidance from seasoned industry professionals. BIPC Jumpstart connects you with a network of experts who can offer personalised advice for your business.

What does it involve?

We have a full programme of free webinars, workshops and one to ones. The aim is to equip small business owners with the knowledge and skills to set up sustainable businesses.

Sessions are built around the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and include topics such as:

  • market research
  • business planning
  • intellectual property
  • finance essentials
  • business pitching
  • social media

We wanted to create as much flexibility as possible, so you are welcome to join any session relevant to you.

Some events will be in-person and others will be online.

Or join our mailing list to receive information as new events are added.

Receive updates on BIPC Jumpstart

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. More information about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on GOV.UK.