Food Business Accelerator Scheme (Window 3) – quick guide
This scheme is designed for VAT-registered food and drink processing businesses in Wales (including new start-ups or diversification into food & drink manufacturing) that can demonstrate clear benefits to the Welsh food & drink sector. To qualify you’ll need to show the investment is capital (machinery, equipment, software, infrastructure) and genuinely adds value (for example increased processing capacity, new product lines, improved sustainability or efficiency) and that the project would not proceed without grant support.
What is the funding rate & size?
The intervention (grant) rate is up to 40% of the eligible investment. The minimum grant request per enterprise is £20,000, and the maximum grant request is £500,000 for any individual investment project. For example, if your investment cost is £60,000, at 40% the grant offer would be £24,000 (and if actual spend turns out to be less you claim 40% of that actual eligible cost).
Who is it targeted at?
- Food and drink processing businesses in Wales that are VAT-registered and can show manufacturing/processing rather than purely retail or catering.
- It includes primary or secondary food processing, new or existing businesses, and diversification into food manufacturing. The project must offer direct or indirect benefits to primary producers or Welsh food & drink supply chain.
- Projects must meet standard conditions: e.g., all necessary licences/permissions, compliance with hygiene/health & safety standards, procurement rules, etc.
- Note: only one live FBAS award per enterprise at a time.