Business Launchpad Bursary
Page updated on: 07/11/2025
The bursary is now closed for new expressions of interest. If you would like to add your name to a waiting list, so that you are informed of any future opportunities, please email your query to businessengagement@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Introducing the Carmarthenshire Business Launchpad Bursary!
As part of their ongoing commitment to economic development and supporting local entrepreneurs, Carmarthenshire County Council are delivering the Carmarthenshire Business Launchpad Bursary which is funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The aim of the bursary is to create the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to test their business ideas before the formal creation of a new business. Through a period of test-trading, entrepreneurs can refine their products or services and understand market demand without the financial risk.
Applicants will receive wrap-around support to develop a sustainable business plan as well as 1:1 business mentoring. As a commitment to fully supporting applicants, engaging with this support will be mandatory
About the Bursary
The Carmarthenshire Business Launchpad Bursary is a fully funded payment of up to £1,000 available to any Carmarthenshire-residing individuals over the 18 who are interested in test-trading a business idea and have little or no prior business experience.
Applicants must provide a breakdown of proposed expenditure, including cost and name of supplier(s) with supporting quotes. Use of Carmarthenshire-based suppliers is encouraged wherever possible.
All reasonable expenditure will be considered on a case-by-case basis and decided on at the discretion of the Economic Development Team. Cash purchases will not be considered.
Applicants must attend a ‘Start-up Workshop’, organised by Carmarthenshire County Council, that will support the production of a sustainable business plan and cashflow forecast, and agree to 1:1 mentoring sessions.
Successful Applications Will Be Subject to The Following Conditions:
- 100% of the award will be released upfront
- Evidence of the expenditure outlined in the application must be provided within 2 months of the Bursary award date
- Evidence of test-trading activities must be provided within 6 months of the Bursary award
- An extension to both deadlines mentioned above may be applied for with reasonable explanation and such cases will be decided on at the direction of the Economic Development Team
Full terms of the Bursary can be downloaded below.
To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), please download the form below, and return it to:BusinessEngagement@Carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
An Economic Development Officer will review your EOI and make contact shortly.
Please note: Individuals previously awarded under the original Carmarthenshire Business Launchpad (2024) will not be eligible to re-apply.
Ineligible Activity:
- Party political purposes
- Promotion of particular secular, religious or political views
- Gambling
- Pornography
- Offering sexual services
- Any kind of illegal activity; or
- Any kind of activity which in the opinion of the Council could bring the Council into disrepute which includes but is not limited to non-regulated and invasive procedures, products and treatments, nude or semi-nude modelling, gaming centres, sun bed services, alternative therapies, products and medicines, acupuncture, vape shops, tobacconists, social media influencing, counselling, life coaching, tattooists, speculative building, complimentary medical treatments, cosmetic products, aesthetic procedures, CBD oil products and cryptocurrency.
