Ambitious businesses with growth potential are being encouraged to apply for a new round of funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The latest opportunity follows on from two previous successful rounds operated under the West of England Growth Fund scheme and through which nearly 300 businesses across the area have already shared £25m.
The LEP wants eligible businesses to get in touch quickly for a share of the remaining money. 
The fund aims to spark job creation and private sector investment that would otherwise not have happened, or that can be accelerated through public sector grant support.
The money can part-fund projects and go towards a range of projects such as capital investment for SMEs, research and development, training, employing disabled or disadvantaged workers, and supporting female entrepreneurs to start businesses.
Applications can be made by any SME that is growing, or planning new activity that will lead to the job creation during the 2014/15 financial year.
The minimum grant available per business is £10,000 with a maximum of £80,000.
LEP funding manager Antony Corfield said: “The first two rounds of the West of England Growth Fund have enabled us to award funding to a whole range of businesses to help with capital investment, job creation and research and development.
“The £25m has to be spent by April 2015 otherwise it goes back to the Government, so we’ve launched a third round to make sure we get as much out to local companies as possible before then.
“We’re into the last nine months of this particular fund now, so we’re keen to get funding allocated to businesses as soon as possible, to ensure they have time to spend it before April 2015.”
The LEP has a team to help companies with both their applications and the claims process. Full details of the fund, including how to apply, can be found at www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/wegfr3
Businesses can also email the funding team on growthfundapps@westofengland.org or call them on 0117 903 6207.
