The scheme, which is being funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), aims to support businesses to launch, develop and grow.

The Spark Group’s successful application for the Fly High Start-up grant indicates a significant milestone in its journey to equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in today’s expanding green economy.

The grant money aims to support the growth and promotion of the business and increase revenue. The goal to get more young people, adults and businesses engaged in programmes and as the demand for Spark’s services increase, the business will employ more staff.

As a result, The Spark Group will have access to essential financial resources, invest in key equipment as well as software and hardware to enhance business productivity overall.

Daniel Canavan, Director of The Spark Group said: “The Fly High Start-Up Grant gave The Spark Group and myself a real boost. It was a great feeling to hear that others believed in my idea and were willing to support me at this early stage.

“The new display laptop and stands really help Spark to stand out at conferences and events as I look to build the brand.

“The project management support and systems are already paying dividends and helped me to build relations with new partners and host our first ever school event last month. We now have a structured plan for growth over the coming 12 months.”

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We announced last year that we’re giving businesses the chance to take up this new opportunity and as you can see, this grant scheme is already off to a great start. If you’re a business just starting-up or an aspiring entrepreneur, then we encourage you to apply for a Fly High Start-Up grant.

“We believe that by investing in local businesses and fostering a culture of innovation, we can unlock new opportunities for our local economy and empower businesses to contribute to the growth and energy of Stoke-on-Trent”.

Eligible businesses must have started a business within the last 12 months or are looking to start up within 4 weeks of application.

Businesses can be from any sector but successful applicants will be required to match the grant they are awarded by 50 per cent, using their own funds.

Funding can only be used for the purpose of helping to launch, grow or develop a business and cannot be used to support general running costs.

For more information about Fly High Start-Up grants, or to apply, contact the Business Growth Team on 01782 238091 or email: bu*************@*******ov.uk