Applications now open for the Rural Start-Up Fund

This is a joint-initiative which supports entrepreneurs and start-up businesses based in the British countryside.  A total of £5,000 is available in the Rural Start-Up Fund in 2022, to be awarded to one winning business or shared between a number of rural startups.  

Gemma Wren of NaturesGems Tours, one of last year’s winners said: “It’s all great to have a business idea and plan to move it forward but when someone believes in it enough to invest in you then that’s a huge boost. It’s given me the confidence to go out and talk to people as a serious small business with a clear mission and a little bit of cash to kick-start and test things.”  

Charlotte Thorogood, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Forest Holidays said: “We love supporting Britain’s rural start-ups. As a company, we enjoy being involved and seeing winners grow their brands and develop their business. It’s important for us to play an active part in the life of the villages and towns surrounding our locations. We’re glad we’ve taken it a step further to give entrepreneurs and start-up businesses the help required to overcome the initial challenges to grow their business locally.”  

 Applicants must be 18 or over, and embarking on a rural business venture. They must be able to demonstrate how their business will, in some manner, support rural communities, promote conservation of the countryside, or support rural sustainability.