Starting a new business can be both an exciting and rewarding step, and in Neath Port Talbot Council, we recognise that start-up businesses play an important role to our local economy.
As a start-up, your entrepreneurial activities not only support job creation, but provide innovative ideas, new ways of working and thus contribute to improving the area. The aim is to assist businesses throughout the whole start-up process.
Let's Talk: Starting Your Business
Let’s Talk: Starting Your Business is managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council in partnership with local businesses and organisations to assist people in the community considering starting their own business. (It’s open to anyone thinking of starting a business).
This club runs on a monthly basis in Sandfields Business Centre, providing budding entrepreneurs with the opportunity of engaging with local experts, partner organisations and business advisers who can help to formulate business plans, discuss funding opportunities, provide guidance on Health and Safety, Financial support, Business banking, Social media and Branding.
The club is FREE and open to anyone within Neath Port Talbot who has a business idea, is interested in becoming self-employed and establishing a new business.
To book your place at an event, please use this link:
If you're a new business, or considering starting a business, take a look at our informational videos below:
Have a great business idea? To make it a reality and secure funding, you need to share your vision effectively.
Let’s talk about how to communicate your idea clearly when filling out funding applications.
Thinking about starting or growing your business? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to take your business to the next level, we offer a range of support, guidance, and funding opportunities to make your journey easier.
Are you thinking about starting your own business, or in the early stages of your journey?
At Neath Port Talbot Council, we are here to help with business grants, designed to support new enterprises. We know launching a business can be challenging – but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our partners:
Partners are other organisations who work with us to support aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses, providing access to further resources that may be useful. Here you will find links to these partner websites which offer free advice and support, helping you to build your confidence and knowledge. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
Business Wales
Business Wales provide fully funded impartial information, advice, guidance and support for people in Wales that are starting, running and growing businesses.
Kings Trust
Get free support to develop the skills and confidence you need to find a job or start a business.
Prime Cymru
PRIME Cymru is a registered charity supporting mature individuals in Wales, helping people aged 50+ to secure work, get set up in business or develop skills through volunteering and training.
Development Bank of Wales
Development Bank of Wales aim to fund businesses that will benefit Wales and its people, and can provide sustainable, effective finance for people, businesses and communities in Wales and beyond.
Welsh ICE
Welsh ICE supports founders, freelancers, and small businesses across Wales through expert-led training, community events, and access to affordable coworking and business support. The 5-9 Club is an after-hours course designed to help individuals turn their ideas into viable businesses – ideal for those starting out or growing something alongside other commitments.
Pen-y-Cymoedd Wind Farm
A Community Fund for the benefit of the communities hosting the wind farm in and across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. The fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company, offering opportunities for local people to invest in themselves and their ideas.
Cwmpas
CWMPAS – Social Business Wales provides support to social businesses across Wales which includes support for new-start social businesses and established social businesses. The service provides one to one business support, peer mentoring, additional support for those facing barriers, equality, diversity, and Inclusion support, as well as climate change support and economic resilience.
Institute of Coding in Wales/Technocamps
Delivering a range of digital skills training opportunities through short courses, skills bootcamps (microcredentials), and degree apprenticeships, designed to develop tech skills and enhance career opportunities.
Applications for the SPF2 Business Investment Grant and the Start-up Grant has now closed to new applications.
As a start-up, your entrepreneurial activities not only support job creation, but provide innovative ideas, new ways of working and thus contribute to improving the area. The aim is to assist businesses throughout the whole start-up process.
See below for further information on the help available for Business start-ups...
UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tata Steel Group tasked with the responsibility of helping the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry.
Working with steel areas across the UK, financial support is provided to small and medium enterprises through the following: –
• Equity and/or loan finance for start-ups, expansions, acquisitions and management buy-outs operating within manufacturing and service-related business sectors.
• Share capital and share/loan packages up to £1m (terms individually negotiated for each investment)
• Small unsecured loans.
• For appropriate business projects, funding may be available utilising the Government backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG)
• Tailored financial solutions.
For further information on the above funding packages contact UKSE on 02920 471122, email: wales@ukse.co.uk or visit https://www.ukse.co.uk/investment/