Grant of up to £10,000 available to help Rotherham businesses tap into tech

The Digital Innovation Grant scheme will provide eligible businesses with grant funding worth between £1,000 and £5,000 to match fund digital projects worth up to £10,000.

Half the project costs will be funded by the grant, which can be used to help businesses overcome barriers to growth by embracing digital technology.

Following previous funding calls, which saw over 100 businesses successfully receive a grant towards their digital project, the programme is now open to new applicants.

It is designed specifically to help businesses exploit new forms of digital technology and aimed to help firms access new markets, promote their products and services more effectively and embrace new ways of working.

The closing date for applications is Friday, May 13, and the scheme is open to Small and Medium Sized businesses based in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Full application guidance and examples of eligible projects can be found on the scheme’s website at https://www.enterprisingbarnsley.co.uk/digital-innovation-grants/.

The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Enterprising Barnsley, part of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Anna Smith, senior programme manager for Enterprising Barnsley, said: “The way businesses embrace new forms of technology can often be transformational, resulting in new ways of working, stimulating growth and acting as a catalyst towards driving positive change.

“We are looking to support businesses in South Yorkshire that are embarking upon new digital projects to harness technology in new and innovative ways. The grant scheme supports a wide range of businesses including sole traders and home-based businesses.

“Examples of projects that have successfully benefitted from the Digital Innovation Grant scheme have included the creation of new client relationship management systems, software development and those helping businesses to adapt to remote working.

“The key to making a good application is providing a strong business case, as well as illustrating how technology will help to overcome the challenges currently being faced.”

Future rounds of funding are due to be made available in July, September and November.