A new VistaPrint grant to help more small businesses realise their potential
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Posted: Tue 17th Sep 2024
Digital design firm VistaPrint has again partnered with Enterprise Nation to deliver a brilliant creative boost to the UK's small business community through a unique package of support called Realising the Remarkable.
The programme will provide cash grants and a package of support for resilient entrepreneurs who are looking to grow and thrive.
What's on offer
Start-ups, micro-businesses and small businesses can apply to be one of 20 firms each receiving a £3,000 share of the £60,000 Realising the Remarkable prize pot, plus:
12 months of free subscriptions to VistaCreate Pro, Vista's graphic design software
£500 to spend on the VistaPrint UK website
access to the 99designs by Vista silver logo and brand guide package, which includes brand design services from a professional freelance designer
Rules for applying
To be eligible to apply, your business must:
be based in the UK and have a UK business bank account
be a registered business or registered as self-employed with proof of UTR
have a workforce of no more than 10 employees
have been trading for at least three months
not be undergoing insolvency, examinership, receivership or any related or similar process, and
if requested, be willing to share its success story of how it used its cash grant (VistaPrint may use and/or publish these details further for various purposes such as marketing, advertising and PR)
Applications will open on 17 September 2024 and close at 23:59 on 31 October 2024.
A financial lifeline and a path towards growth
Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, said:
"Small businesses have faced a number of challenges this year. But what this research demonstrates is that they're staying strong and remain wonderfully optimistic about the future.
"We know entrepreneurs are resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity and will be seeking out support, fresh ideas and new opportunities. This brilliant programme of support from VistaPrint offers exactly that – a lifeline and a clear path towards growth."
Katie Eldred, VistaPrint's UK country manager, said:
"Following last year's success, we're so excited to relaunch the Realising the Remarkable programme.
"Small business owners are the backbone of the UK economy. With limited access to external funding cited as a key barrier to growth, our grant programme with Enterprise Nation is designed to provide small business owners with the financial support and expert guidance they need to unlock their growth potential and demonstrate their incredible value to our country."
A previous grant winner
Toni Borella, 49, co-founded Pembrokeshire-based microgreens, herbs and specialty crops firm Green Up Farm in 2021 after a career in the tech sector in London, initially using her own savings as start-up capital.
She applied to the first Realising the Remarkable programme in 2023 and was awarded a VistaPrint grant.
Toni said:
"The initial set up costs for my business was 100% self-funded. I was made redundant in 2021, so I was able to use some of the money to get the business going.
"After years of working in the corporate world, I felt I had the skillset to run a business. For me, running a successful business is so much more than a great product – in fact, the product is just the beginning of the journey.
"Having said that, I'd definitely encourage any of my friends to do the same – find something you're passionate about and just go for it."
As a female entrepreneur, Toni said the fact that more women are now running their own enterprises has spurred her on.
She added:
"I've found since starting the company that there's a significant increase in women entrepreneurs, which is fantastic to see and to be a part of.
"I think what holds people back from setting up a business is the fear of financial failure. I've seen many individuals invest too heavily at the beginning instead of investing a little, testing the market, then growing their business from there."
More Realising the Remarkable success stories
Funding to help your business thrive
Sign up to the Realising the Remarkable programme to submit your grant application and access more free small business support. Apply now
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