- Small business owners can still enter for a chance to win Simply Business’ £25,000 Business Boost grant – which closes Friday 17 September
- So far over 18,000 small business owners have applied for the grant
- The latest report released by Simply Business reveals the that total anticipated cost of the pandemic on small businesses will be upwards of £126.6 billion
- Simply Business’ Business Boost initiative aims to give one small business owner the cash injection they need following Covid-19
- An expert panel of judges – including former Dragons’ Den investor Piers Linney, and The Apprentice Winner Carina Lepore – will pick the final winner
THERE is just one week left for small business owners to apply for the £25,000 Business Boost grant from Simply Business – designed to help one self-employed person get back on their feet following Covid-19, or give one entrepreneur the opportunity to start their first business.
So far over 18,000 small business owners have applied for the grant which closes on Friday 17 September.
It’s the second consecutive year Simply Business is awarding it’s Business Boost grant– upping the prize from last year’s £10,000, which was won by Larissa Cooper, owner of Rowan Bay, a local artisan textile business based in Norfolk.
A recent study from Simply Business found that small business owners expect to lose £22,461 each on average as a direct result of the pandemic – with 81% of owners believing they haven’t had enough support from government, and more than one in three (37%) unable to access any government schemes or grants.
With six million SMEs in the UK – accounting for over 99% of all businesses, 33% of employment and 21% of all turnover, the £126.6 billion expected total loss to SMEs could have a devastating impact on the economy.
The pandemic has inspired a new wave of entrepreneurs, and the Business Boost grant is also open for entries from new businesses and start-ups in need of capital.
The final winner will be decided by a judging panel made up of a range of experts from across business and industry – including leading British investor, CEO of Moblox and former star of TV’s Dragons’ Den, Piers Linney. Piers is joined by The Apprentice winner Carina Lepore, who is Lord Sugar’s business partner and founder of Dough Artisan Bakehouse.
Other members of the panel include Tony Robinson OBE – author and vocal champion of the self-employed and Merlie Calvert, founder and CEO at Farillio. The panel is completed by Larissa Cooper, the winner of Business Boost 2020, and Simply Business UK CEO Alan Thomas.
Rugby legend, and former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain, Gareth Thomas is also on board as an official ambassador for the campaign.
People can still apply for the Business Boost grant here. The deadline to apply is 17 September, with the winner of the grant set to be announced in October.
Alan Thomas, CEO at Simply Business, commented: “The number of applications for our Business Boost grant has been overwhelming, and we recognise that this reflects the challenges that many small business owners are still facing as a result of the pandemic.”
“When we awarded Larissa Cooper our first ever Business Boost last year, we witnessed first hand the significant impact that a cash injection can have on a small business owner’s life – and we’d urge any self-employed person who is considering entering this year’s competition to get their entry in before the 17 September deadline.
“Small businesses will be critical to both our economy and local communities’ recovery. With owners expecting to lose an average of £22,461 due to Covid-19, it’s critical that we all pitch in to help them.”
“That’s why we’re giving away a £25,000 cash grant to enable one small business owner’s big dreams and help them reclaim their livelihood.”
To learn more about the Simply Business Business Boost grant and enter the competition, visit: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/business-boost/
