The Government has announced a new £20m IT funding package to help small businesses get through the coronavirus pandemic.
Small and medium-sized businesses can access a small business technology grant between £1,000 and £5,000 to spend on new equipment and IT and professional advice.
The small business technology grant can be spent on the following:
- Accountants
- Financial
- Human resources
- IT and digital
- Legal
Or it can be used to buy minor equipment to adapt or adopt new technology in order to carry on trading or diversify during the COVID-19 pandemic.
>See also: You have just one month to claim up to £1.6bn in unspent grants
And the cash could also be used to stage events providing guidance to businesses responding to coronavirus.
Ironically, given the Government’s pro-Brexit stance, the money is coming through the last hurrah of the European Regional Development Fund, the EU fund which supports poorer regions.
The £20m worth of technology and support grants are being administered by the Government’s 38 regional growth hubs.
>See also: Rishi Sunak gives small businesses £2000 grants for young trainees
You can find the list of growth hubs where you apply for the new £1,000 to £5,000 small business technology grants here.
Regional growth minister Simon Clarke said: “We have always said that we would stand behind our businesses and communities as we rebuild following the coronavirus pandemic. This new funding does exactly that.
“Businesses will be able to use these new grants to pay for the expertise, equipment and technology they need to adapt, recover and rebuild.
“Small and medium sized businesses are the beating heart of communities; they provide employment and contribute significantly to local economies and we are determined to give them the support they need to continue to thrive.”
Pranav Sood, vice-president small business at GoCardless, added: “This new grant from the government will provide a much-needed boost for England’s small businesses. The lifeline provides a welcome injection of capital to help SMEs adapt, recover and rebuild, as well as facilitating access to expert help, new equipment and technology.”
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