A NEW start-up fund has been launched by Business Liverpool offering £500 grants to help new firms get off the ground. The business support organisation, a collaboration between Business Link for Greater Merseyside, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Liverpool City Council , wants to assist people in meeting the costs during the early days of their business lives. The fund has been created to encourage and stimulate business formation and entrepreneurship, and aims to increase levels of business density to bring Liverpool in line with other core cities. The £500 grant will be available to all new businesses starting up within the Liverpool city council administrative area. Nicole Gleave, head of enterprise at Business Liverpool said the grant will not only help people meet initial costs, it will also open up other funding streams. She added: "The sum of £500 will make a difference for many, because it can help buy a computer, business cards, or hold a launch event for example, but it will also help recipients approach banks to ask them to match our commitment. "Although the fund is available to all new business starts in Liverpool, we are targeting those traditionally under-represented in business, such as women, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities, and who have been excluded from other sources of finance." Applications can be made through a business start-up agency which will assist with a business plan. Applications will be considered from any new start-up businesses including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and companies limited by guarantee. Councillor Flo Clucas, the council's executive member for economic development, said the fund aimed to develop a diverse and dynamic business base contributing to the creation of new employment opportunities. She added: "Many people wanting to start up a new business find, because of the initial costs, that they can't realise their plans. "For example the start-up grant would help a mechanic buy the right tools, or get a child minder what was needed for such an enterprise." The Business Liverpool Start Up Fund is part funded by City Focus. tonymcdonoughuk@dailypost.co.uk | 
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