One Manchester, a housing and community services provider in Manchester, is searching for start-ups and small businesses based across South and East Manchester to apply for £50,000 worth of social grants.
The One Manchester Catalyst Fund supports new and growing businesses as part of the provider’s social investment strategy, and to help new organisations access funding and support, they will be holding the Catalyst Fund launch event on the 2 October at the Z-Arts Theatre in Hulme.
The event marks the launch of the second round of Catalyst funding, and will allow potential applicants to gather information on the grants, and all of the support and advice One Manchester is pledging to provide to start-ups and small businesses.
Last year, 10 businesses received up to £5,000 each in funding, provided to support the launch of a new enterprise, or to help them take their offering to the next level. Applicants looking to develop sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities in the neighbourhoods One Manchester operates in are of particular interest, as well as socially purposed organisations and enterprises which demonstrate potential for partnership working with the housing provider.
The Catalyst Fund is available to fund areas such as start-up capital costs, development and testing costs, learning and development, and support to employ or offer paid work placements to unemployed people. Applications for the fund close on the 16th of November.
Anton Schultz, Social Investment Manager at One Manchester commented: “Our first year of introducing the Catalyst Fund was really successful, and we want to continue providing funding and support to enterprises local to One Manchester through this investment strategy.
“We know how many barriers there are to starting up a new business initiative, and how difficult it can be to know where to turn for advice on taking an idea to the next level. At the Catalyst Fund launch event, our aim is to provide information and advice on how to access our funding, but also how to find and apply for other support that can help a business take the next step up.”
The Catalyst Fund is free to apply for, and shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend an idea event on January 2nd, where they’ll be able to present their business case to access the support and funding. Businesses must operate, or seek to operate in the areas One Manchester works in, which include: Ancoats, Clayton and Bradford, Ardwick and Longsight, Gorton South, Gorton North and Levenshulme, Hulme, Moss Side and Rusholme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range.
For more information on the Catalyst Fund launch event and the other support One Manchester offers, please contact Business Support Advisor, Wayne Wilson on 0161 227 1294 or visit the Catalyst Fund launch event page.
