Running a business is not easy which is why there is so much support available whether it is from local, regional or national services. These schemes can offer grants, loans, support, advice and access to other services that can assist you in setting up, growing, developing or sustaining your business. To help you find the support you need, we have collated information on a huge amount of business support services below which is separated into coronavirus business support and general business support.

The table below gives a quick price comparison of the top UK providers for small business support.

Name	Geographic region
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme	UK
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme	UK
Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme	UK
Coronavirus Future Fund	UK
Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme	UK
Kickstart Scheme	UK
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay	UK
VAT Deferral	UK
Defer Self-Assessment Payment	UK
Business Rates Relief	England
Corporate Financing Facility	UK
Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses	England
Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment	England
Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant	England
Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant	England
Business Growth Hub	Greater Manchester and Lancashire
AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region	West Yorkshire and parts of North Yorkshire
ACAS	Britain
Agri-tech Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly	Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers	Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Poole, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth or Portland
Barking Enterprise Centres	London
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University	England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland graduates starting a business in Staffordshire
Better Business Finance	UK
Biorenewables Development Centre	Yorkshire
Buckinghamshire Business First	Buckinghamshire
Building Legacies	London
BECCI Project	Black County and Marches LEP areas of West Midlands
NWES	East of England, London and East Midlands
Enterprise Business South	Central South
North Somerset Enterprise Agency	North Somerset
Colbea	Essex
British Library Business and IP Centre	UK
Business Assist	East Midlands
Manchester City Council Business Continuity Planning	Manchester
Business Development Grant Scarborough	Borough of Scarborough
Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands	Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire
Business Growth Calderdale	Calderdale
CWRT Business Loans	Coventry and Warwickshire
Business Northumberland	Northumberland
Business West	West of England
The Business Factory	North Tyneside
West Berkshire Council Business Support	West Berkshire
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme	Coventry and Warwickshire
CDC Enterprise Agency	North East
City Business Library	City of London
CITB Grants Scheme	England
Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme	Coventry and Warwickshire
D2 Business Starter Programme	Derbyshire
DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire	Derby and Derbyshire
Digital Drive County Durham	County Durham
Digital Transformation Manchester	Manchester
DigitalCity Tees Valley	Tees Valley
Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme	Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups	Durham
East Durham College Free Digital Training	County Durham
Durham Sparks	County Durham
South East Enterprise	Greenwich
Energy for Business Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire	Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Enterprise Answers	North of England
Enterprise Europe Network	England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Princes Trust Enterprise Programme	South of England
Enterprise Steps	London
FEAST2	Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South East Midlands
Fit For Nuclear	Not stated
Flexible Support Programme	County Durham
ESA Business Applications	Not stated
Future Focus Programme	Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Business Finance North West	North West
Get Enterprising Programme	Hertfordshire
Get Growing 2	Hertfordshire
Getset for Growth East Dorset	East Dorset
Getset for Growth West of England	West of England
Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire	Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
Social Enterprise West Midlands	West Midlands
North East Growth Hub	North East
Horizon 2020	Europe
JumpStart Warwickshire	Warwickshire
Innovation UK	UK
Innovation Support Programme Chesterfield	Chesterfield
Innovation Vouchers	Greater Manchester and Solihull
Instant Business Advice	Manchester
InvestSefton	Seftom
Invest East	Norfolk and Suffolk
Invest in Manchester	Manchester
Invest in Nottingham	Nottinghamshire
Kick Off in Business	Not stated
Low Carbon Workspaces	Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire
Manufacturing Growth Programme	West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, parts of East Midlands and South East
Creative Europe	UK
Medilink East Midlands	East Midlands
National Tooling Loan Fund	UK
New Business Start Up Advice East Durham	East Durham
North of Tyne Growth Fund	Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland
Outset Cornwall	Cornwall
Outset East Dorset	Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
Outset Bristol	Bristol
Outset Swindon and Wiltshire	Swindon and Wiltshire
Outset Plymouth	Plymouth
Outset Waltham Forrest	Waltham Forrest
South Bristol Enterprise Support	South Bristol
Productivity Through Innovation	Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Green Growth	Greater Manchester
Scale Up New Anglia	Suffolk and Norfolk
Portobello Business Centre	London
Skillmakers Hertfordshire	Watford and South West Hertfordshire
Business Information Point	Devon
South East Creatives	Essex, East Sussex and Kent
Woking Works	Woking
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership	Norfolk and Suffolk
Starting in Business Programme	Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire
Business Growth Programme Cheshire and Warrington	Cheshire and Warrington
TALE	Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex
Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme	Tees Valley
Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme	Tees Valley
The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme	Hertfordshire
Two Zero Lancashire	Lancashire
University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme	Not stated
Wenta Business Advice	Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Enfield
Black Country Growth Hub	Black Country
Buckinghamshire Business First	Buckinghamshire
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub	Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub	Cheshire and Warrington
Coast to Capital Growth Hub	West Sussex, Greater Brighton and East Surrey
Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub	Cornwall and Isle of Scilly
CWLEP Growth Hub	Coventry and Warwickshire
Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network	Cumbria
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership	Dorset
Enterprise M3 Growth Hub	Areas along the M3
The Growth Hub	Gloucestershire
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership	Greater Birmingham and Solihull
Business Lincolnshire	Lincolnshire
Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester	Greater Manchester
Heart of the South West Growth Hub	Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay
Hertfordshire Growth Hub	Hertfordshire
Humber Business Growth Hub	Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire
Boost Lancashire's Business Growth Hub	Lancashire
Biz Gateway	Leicester and Leicestershire
Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region	Liverpool City Region
London Business Hub	London
New Anglia Growth Hub	Norfolk and Suffolk
OxLEP Growth Hub	Oxfordshire
Sheffield City Region Growth Hub	Sheffield City Region
Solent LEP Growth Hub	Solent
Kent & Medway Growth Hub	Kent and Medway
BEST for Business Solutions	Essex, Southend and Thurrock
Business East Sussex	East Sussex
SEMLEP's Growth Hub	South East Midlands
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub	Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP	Swindow and Wiltshire
Berkshire Business Growth Hub	Berkshire
Marches Growth Hub	Marches region
West of England Growth Hub	West of England
Worcestershire Business Central	Worcestershire
York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub	York and North Yorkshire

* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples to apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting off point for more research on your part.

Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.

Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.

Coronavirus Business Support

1. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’s small business support service.

• Assists businesses in paying their employees
• Covers up to 80% of each employee’s salary
• Maximum of £2,500 per employee each month
• The employer still pays NI and employer pension contributions
• Flexible scheme to suit all work patterns
• Claimed monthly by the employer
• Employers continue to use their payroll to pay employees
• Employers can top up wages to 100%
• Available to new claimants
• Currently extended to end of March 2021

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme helps businesses that have been disrupted due to the coronavirus. It helps to support businesses by paying up to 80% of the employees’ salaries and the employer just has to pay the NI and employer pensions contributions, and they can top the wages up to 100%.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to all businesses across the UK and covers up to a maximum of £2,500 per month per employee. Employers have to claim monthly for the scheme and pay their employees through their normal payroll. The scheme offers flexibility to use it for any amount of time and shift pattern including full-time furlough.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme website

2. Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme’s small business support service.

• Access finance more quickly
• Designed for small to medium businesses
• Borrow up to 25% of turnover
• Loans from £2,500 to £50,000
• 100% guaranteed by the government
• Interest-free for 12 months
• 5% interest rate after the first year
• Can top up your loan to the maximum amount
• Eligible if established before March 2020 and were adversely impacted
• Available to most UK based businesses

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme is designed for small to medium-sized UK businesses that have been adversely affected by the coronavirus. Businesses are required to have been established before March 2020 and not be classified as being in difficulty at the end of 2019.

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme offers loans up to 25% of the business turnover from £2,500 to £50,000. The loan is backed by the government at 100% and the loan has no interest for the first year. After the first year, the loan rate will be 2.5% a year. You can apply again if you haven’t borrowed up to your maximum loan amount.

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme website

3. Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme’s small business support service.

• Offers financial support
• For small to medium-sized businesses
• Available to UK businesses
• Loans up to £5 million
• Backed by a government guarantee of 80%
• No interest for the first year
• For UK businesses with a turnover below £45 million
• Need to prove viability and impact by the coronavirus
• Loans for overdrafts and invoice finance for up to three years
• Loans and asset finance facilities for up to six years

Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme provides financial support to UK based businesses. It is offered to small to medium-sized businesses that have a turnover below £45 million that are viable if it wasn’t for the pandemic. You will need to show you have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme offers loans up to £5 million over terms of three years for overdrafts and invoice finance, and six years for loans and asset finance. Loans are backed by the government at 80% and the interest is paid for you for the first year.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Support Scheme website

4. Coronavirus Future Fund

Some of the features and benefits of the Coronavirus Future Fund’s small business support service.

• Offers convertible loans
• Loans between £125,000 to £5 million
• Designed for innovative companies
• Must be equally matched funded by private investors
• For those unable to access other government support programmes
• Those relying on equity funding
• Need to be a UK incorporated business
• Must have raised a minimum of £250,000 from third party investment in the last five years
• Incorporated before 2020
• 50% of staff or revenues need to be in the UK

Coronavirus Future Fund is a government loan scheme that aims to support businesses that are having financial issues due to the coronavirus. To be eligible your business must have been incorporated in the UK before 2020, raised at least £250,000 from third-party equity investment, and not be traded publicly, as well as having at least 50% of employees and revenues in the UK.

Coronavirus Future Fund offers loans between £125,000 to £5 million to companies that are innovative and can provide at least equally matched funding from private investors. It is designed for those that can’t access any of the other government support programmes and rely on equity funding.

Coronavirus Future Fund website

5. Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’s small business support service.

• Supports the self-employed and partnerships
• Extended scheme
• If you were not eligible for the earlier versions of this grant, you won’t be for this one
• Suitable for continuing or new claims
• Claimed quarterly
• Worth 80% of average monthly trading profits
• Capped at £7,500 per quarter
• Non-repayable grant
• Subject to tax and NI
• Apply online within the timescales

Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is designed to assist the self-employed and partnership businesses that can’t access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. It is offered to all self-employed and partnerships that have been adversely affected by the coronavirus who were trading in both tax years of 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme offers 80% of your average monthly trading profits to a maximum of £7,500 per quarter. The scheme is claimed quarterly online and is a non-repayable grant that is subject to tax and NI. It is open to new claimants and continued claims, although if you weren’t eligible previously you still won’t be.

Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme website

6. Kickstart Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of the Kickstart Scheme’s small business support service.

• Supports job placements
• Provides funding support
• Aids young people aged 16-24 on Universal Credit
• Two versions of the scheme are offered
• Covers 100% of wages for 25 hours per week
• Available for six months
• Also covers NI and employer automatic enrolment pension contributions
• £1,500 funding for set up and development costs
• Must increase the young person’s employability
• Kickstart gateway can support applications

Kickstart Scheme helps to get more young people aged 16-24 on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment into job placements to increase their employability. The businesses providing the job placements will receive £1,500 funding to help set up and develop the young person.

Kickstart Scheme covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage for the placement for 25 hours per week for six months as well as employer NI and employer automatic enrolment pension contributions. There are two routes into this scheme which are for employers taking on more than 30 placements and those taking on less than 30 placements who should apply through the Kickstart gateway.

Kickstart Scheme for under 30 job placements website and Kickstart Scheme for over 30 job placements website

7. Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay’s small business support service.

• For claiming back coronavirus related Statutory Sick Pay
• Covers up to two weeks
• Paid retrospectively
• For current and former employees
• Available to employers with under 250 employees
• Must have a PAYE payroll established before March 2020
• Requires an isolation note from NHS 111
• Or a shielding note or letter from the doctor
• Covers all employment contract types
• Can’t be claimed for the same period as Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the same person

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay has been designed to help employers to claim back employees’ coronavirus related Statutory Sick Pay. It can be paid retrospectively for current or former employees.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay offers up to two weeks of Statutory Sick Pay for employees that are eligible for it. It is open to employers that have under 250 employees and had a PAYE payroll scheme before March 2020. You can claim up to two weeks but requires evidence which doesn’t need to be a doctor’s note but an isolation note from NHS 111 or a shielding note or letter from the doctor.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay website

8. VAT Deferral

Some of the features and benefits of VAT Deferral’s small business support service.

• Opt-in scheme for VAT deferral
• Helps to increase cash flow for struggling businesses
• Pay the VAT in manageable instalments
• Two to 11 instalment options
• Opt-in starts early 2021 for the next round
• Repaid by the end of March 2022
• First payment to be made before the end of March 2021
• To be paid by Direct Debit
• Update your VAT account first
• Submit any outstanding VAT returns for previous years

VAT Deferral helps businesses with their cash flow by deferring their VAT due and allowing them to pay in instalments over the next year. These instalments are designed to be manageable monthly instalments from two to 11 payments.

The next VAT Deferral is open in early 2021 for businesses to opt into and will require the first payment to be made by the end of March 2021 and the final payment by the end of March 2022. It requires you to be able to pay by Direct Debit. They advise that you update your VAT account and submit any outstanding VAT returns for previous years before opting in.

VAT Deferral website

9. Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure

Some of the features and benefits of Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure’s small business support service.

• Business rate holiday
• Applies to 2020 to 2021 tax year
• Will be applied automatically
• Administered by your local council
• Eligibility criteria apply based on sectors
• Shops
• Restaurants, café, bars and pubs
• Cinema and live music venues
• Leisure properties such as sports clubs, gyms and spas
• Hospitality properties such as hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation

Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure is available to help support those sectors most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The business rates relief applies to the tax year 2020 to 2021.

Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure is applied automatically to your business rates account by your local council who administer business rates for your area. The relief is available to certain sectors which include shops, eating and drinking establishments such as restaurants, café, bars and pubs, cinemas, live music venues, leisure properties such as clubs, gyms and spas, and hospitality properties such as hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation.

Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure website

10. Business Rates Relief for Nurseries

Some of the features and benefits of Business Rates Relief for Nurseries’ small business support service.

• Business rate holiday
• Applies to 2020 to 2021 tax year
• Will be applied automatically
• Administered by your local council
• Available only to nurseries
• Must be on Ofsted’s Early Years Register
• Providers of care and education for children up to five years old
• Online calculator to work out the amount saved
• Local authority nurseries are not eligible

Business Rates Relief for Nurseries helps nurseries that had to close during the lockdown and have had reduced numbers of children in them since. They are offered a business rate holiday which is applied for the whole of the tax year 2020 to 2021.

Business Rates Relief for Nurseries doesn’t need to be applied for but will be automatically applied to your business rates account by your local council who administers business rates in your area. It is given to nurseries that are on Ofsted’s Early Years Register and provide care and education for children up to five years old. The scheme is not available to local authority nurseries.

Business Rates Relief for Nurseries website

11. Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses’ small business support service.

• Offers grants for closed businesses that provide in-person service
• Only applies to national restrictions
• Businesses are eligible if they were open before restrictions came in
• Covers each 28 day period
• Provides a cash grant
• For businesses in England
• Must be a business rates payer
• Includes non-essential retail
• Leisure and sports facilities
• Hospitality

Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses is a grant that is offered to businesses in England that have had to close due to national restrictions. It is only available to businesses that were open before the national restrictions came into force and it covers a 28 day period.

Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses is available to businesses that offer in-person services that are unable to continue by other means, eg through takeaway services, click and collect, or internet sales. Businesses must have premises that they pay business rates to be eligible. It is suitable for businesses like non-essential retail, leisure and sports facilities, personal care and hospitality.

Coronavirus Grants for Closed Businesses website

12. Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses that have been closed due to national restrictions
• For those that have been closed since March 2020
• Provides cash grants
• Covers each 14 day period they are closed
• Delivered by your local council
• Nightclubs, dance halls and discotheques
• Adult entertainment venues and hostess bars
• Available to UK businesses that pay business rates
• Only one grant per non-domestic property
• Not available to businesses that have changed their business as a result

Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment has been set up to support businesses that have had to close due to national restrictions and have remained closed since 23 March 2020. They provide a cash grant for each 14 day period that nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques, adult entertainment venues and hostess bars are closed.

Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment is delivered by local councils to the businesses that are affected in their area. To be eligible the business needs to pay business rates and not have changed their business since the restrictions came in and only one grant is allowed per non-domestic property.

Coronavirus Grants for Nightclubs, Dance Hall and Adult Entertainment website

13. Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses’ small business support service.

• Supports business severely impacted by restrictions
• Applies to temporary local restrictions only
• Provides cash grants
• Covers each 14 day period under restrictions
• Provided by the discretion of local councils
• Application process
• Businesses need to be still open
• Targeted mostly towards hospitality, hotels, B&Bs and leisure businesses
• Grants are based on the rateable value of the property
• Grant cease when national restrictions come into force

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses is designed to support businesses that have been severely impacted by temporary local restrictions from being in Tier 2 or 3. The grants are administered by local councils who will have their criteria and application forms. The grant ceases when national restrictions are in place and is replaced by grants.

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses is largely targeted towards hospitality, hotels, B&Bs and leisure businesses who have been more heavily impacted but have continued to be open when possible. Grants are awarded based on the rateable value of the property.

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for open businesses website

14. Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses’ small business support service.

• Support for businesses that are closed
• For those temporarily closed because of local restrictions
• Provides cash grants
• Covers each 14 day period of closure
• Available to businesses in England
• Must pay business rates
• Unable to provide in-person services
• Offers one grant per non-domestic property
• Excludes businesses that have chosen to close
• Other schemes are available for those impacted by national restrictions

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses is designed to help businesses that have had to close due to local Tier 2 or 3 restrictions. It doesn’t include those impacted by national restrictions as other schemes are available, and it ceases when national restrictions take over.

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses is available to businesses that pay business rates and can no longer provide in-person services and have had to close. One grant is offered per non-domestic property and covers each 14 day period of closure. This includes pubs and restaurants that have had to change to offer takeaway services.

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses website

15. Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant

Some of the features and benefits of Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses not covered by other grants
• Or where additional funding is required
• For businesses that have closed
• And those heavily impacted by the coronavirus
• Businesses who don’t pay business rates are eligible
• Delivered by local councils
• Eligibility criteria varies by council area
• Includes supply chain businesses
• Events sector
• Apply through your local council

Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant is designed to support businesses that are not eligible for other coronavirus support programmes or where businesses require additional funding beyond what is available through other grants. It is available to businesses that are closed or have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus.

Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant is administered by local councils who determine their eligibility criteria, and you will need to apply directly to them, but it should be focused on businesses severely impacted by the coronavirus. It includes supply chain businesses impacted by their customers not trading and the events sector. It also includes businesses that do not pay business rates.

Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant website

General business support

1. Business Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business throughout their journey
• For businesses in Greater Manchester
• Provides expert one-to-one support
• Peer-to-peer business support
• A range of events
• Specialist programmes
• Access to funding
• Tailored support online for focused activity
• Caters for a variety of industries
• Advice tailored to specific industries

Business Growth Hub is a business support service that caters for businesses in all stages of their business journey in Greater Manchester. They provide assistance to help businesses to get set up, grow and become more efficient. They provide support through a variety of methods which includes one-to-one and peer-to-peer business support, events, specialist programmes and accessing funding.

Business Growth Hub provides tailored support online which is focused on expert and industry-specific support. This includes digital advancements, being more sustainable and efficient, exploring new markets, finance, developing new products, business strategy, training, leadership development and getting started. Industry support for manufacturing and engineering, healthcare, green technology and digital.

Business Growth Hub website

2. AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region

Some of the features and benefits of AD:VENTURE’s small business support service.

• Caters for new and fledgeling businesses
• Those with up to three years trading
• Tailored support
• Access to expert advisors
• Financial support and grants
• Webinars
• Mentoring schemes
• Intensive support and specialist advice
• Youth enterprise scheme
• Access to university support

AD:VENTURE is a business support provider for businesses based in the Leeds City Region who help those that are getting started. They specialise in helping new businesses and those trading for up to three years. They provide businesses with tailored support that is created by your advisor who will help guide you through the support available advice, resources and financial support.

AD:VENTURE offers practical support which includes webinars, mentoring schemes, advice, grants and financial support. They provide intensive support and specialist advice which includes innovation, product development, recruitment, export advice and sector-specific support. They also offer youth enterprise scheme and access to university support.

AD:VENTURE website

3. ACAS

Some of the features and benefits of ACAS’ small business support service.

• Provides support to employers and employees
• Impartial advice on workplace rights and rules
• Offers training
• Can help in resolving disputes
• A library of templates
• Events
• Tailored support
• Informal and formal support
• Searchable Helpline Online database
• Provides news and updates for employers

ACAS is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service which is an independent public body that has been set up to support both employers and employees. They provide assistance and impartial advice on workplace rights and rules to guide people through the complexities of people management.

ACAS provides a variety of services which includes free advice on employment rights, a range of templates including letters, forms and policies, and a searchable Helpline Online database for frequently asked questions related to workplace problems. They offer training which includes courses, events and tailored support. They also have specialist support in handling workplace issues and how to resolve them.

ACAS website

4. Agri-tech Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Some of the features and benefits of Agri-tech’s small business support service.

• Provides specialist support to agri-tech businesses
• Supports innovation in agriculture
• Caters for businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
• Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
• Aids sustainable production of produce
• Provides project partners
• Research grants
• Graduate placements
• Eligibility criteria apply
• Must have fewer than 250 employees

Agri-tech provides specialist support to businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who are bringing innovation to agriculture. They support businesses who are delivering agriculture technology that creates more efficient, profitable, productive, secure, resilient agriculture and protects the natural farming environment. They support science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine that aids sustainable production in getting produce to the marketplace.

Agri-tech provides support to businesses in the form of project partners including access to the University of Exeter and Plymouth, Rothamsted Research and the Rural Business School. They also provide access to research grants from £2,500 and graduate placement programme with funding up to £2,500.

Agri-tech website

5. Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers

Some of the features and benefits of Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers’ small business support service.

• Supports businesses in Dorset
• Has £1.2 million funding
• Part-funded by ERDF
• Supports research and innovation projects
• Assists business start-ups
• Access to world-class facilities
• Industry workshops
• Match-funded Innovation Vouchers
• Access to equipment to aid prototyping and testing
• Network with like-minded businesses

Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers offers support to businesses in Dorset that are conducting research and innovation activities. They offer support to business start-ups with advice and access to their world-class facilities. They secured £1.2 million in funding from ERDF to deliver this service.

Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers can help businesses with accessing tools to create prototypes and test new products. They also provide match-funded Innovation Vouchers offering up to 50% grants for financial investment for small research projects. Access to industry workshops run in conjunction with local businesses and opportunities to network with like-minded businesses and access support from Studio Wood and Museum of Design in Plastics.

Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers website

6. Barking Enterprise Centres

Some of the features and benefits of Barking Enterprise Centres’ small business support service.

• Provides business hubs
• For London organisations
• Assists business start-ups
• Supports business growth
• Reasonably priced workspaces
• Business mentoring
• Expert digital media and marketing services
• Support networks
• Programme of workshops
• Networking opportunities

Barking Enterprise Centres are a network of business centres around London that offer support to businesses which include those that are wanting to start a new business and those wanting to grow their business. They provide a combination of practical support and reasonably priced workspace and meeting rooms.

Barking Enterprise Centres also provide a range of business support activities and facilities which include a programme of workshops that are focused on specific topics, business mentoring scheme, training, access to support networks and networking opportunities, expert digital media and marketing services. Events include networking events and focused sessions on topics including digital marketing, social media, online security and presentation skills.

Barking Enterprise Centres website

7. Be Inspired at Staffordshire University

Some of the features and benefits of Be Inspired at Staffordshire University’s small business support service.

• Specialist business start-up support
• Targets graduates in the UK
• Provides a year-long support programme
• Expert advice
• Mentoring scheme
• Workshops and training
• Networking opportunities
• Grants offering up to £2,500 capital funding
• Part ERDF funded
• Helps to build stronger customer proposition

Be Inspired at Staffordshire University is a programme provided by Staffordshire University to help support graduates in setting up a new business in the UK. Be Inspired is a year-long programme that supports fledgeling businesses through providing expert advice, mentoring, workshops, training, networking opportunities and grants.

Be Inspired at Staffordshire University aims to help businesses to build a stronger customer proposition and will give them access to key resources that can assist in making the business more efficient. They can also offer grants of up to £2,500 for capital funding which can be used during the 12-month programme.

Be Inspired at Staffordshire University website

8. Better Business Finance

Some of the features and benefits of Better Business Finance’s small business support service.

• Assists businesses in finding finance solutions
• Alternatives to banking finance
• For businesses of all sizes and stages
• Can give you decisions in minutes
• Won’t leave a credit footprint
• Mentoring support
• Support with appeals
• Help to seek out grant funding opportunities
• Assistance in understanding finance options
• Open 24/7

Better Business Finance provides impartial information and support to assist businesses in getting started, developing and growing. The organisation was set up by five high street banks and is managed by UK Finance with other partners. They can provide advice and support for those seeking finance and exporting abroad.

Better Business Finance caters for all businesses regardless of size or the stage that the business is in. They help businesses who won’t necessarily get financial support from the banks and they provide a search service that won’t leave a credit footprint. They can also support you with finding grant opportunities, filing appeals against funding decisions and mentoring support.

Better Business Finance website

9. Biorenewables Development Centre

Some of the features and benefits of the Biorenewables Development Centre’s small business support service.

• Offers chemistry and biology-based support for bio-renewables
• Designed for SMEs
• Must be based in Yorkshire and the Humber
• Supports the development, scale-up and commercialisation
• Provides expertise
• Access to their facilities and equipment
• Provides regulatory and policy support
• Helps source funding opportunities
• Supports development through all the stages
• Assists collaboration between academics and industry

The Biorenewables Development Centre has been designed as an open-access R&D centre that is based at the University of York. The Centre creates an interface between academics and industry to share both expertise and facilities. They specialise in supporting businesses who are turning biowaste into bio-renewable products.

The Biorenewables Development Centre caters for SMEs in Yorkshire and the Humber who want to develop, scale-up and commercialise bio-based products or processes which includes supporting businesses through all stages of the development to market. They provide businesses with expertise, advice, facilities, equipment, regulatory and policy support as well as assistance in accessing funding opportunities.

Biorenewables Development Centre website

10. Buckinghamshire Business First

Some of the features and benefits of Buckinghamshire Business First’s small business support service.

• Provides support to businesses in Buckinghamshire
• Designed for new and established businesses
• Assists grow and development
• Membership organisation
• Expert business advisors
• Information and support
• Access to grants
• Networking opportunities
• Signposting
• Supported by a range of partners and local authorities

Buckinghamshire Business First is a membership organisation that was set up to support businesses in the Buckinghamshire area that are new or growing businesses. They provide businesses with knowledge, support and access to opportunities through sharing of experience, facilities and services.

Buckinghamshire Business First was created to provide a central hub for information and support and they help signpost you to the best forms of support. Their business advisors are aided by a range of partners and local authorities to create a supportive community. They provide members with guidance and support, finance, training and networking. They can offer a growth grant of up to £5,000.

Buckinghamshire Business First website

11. Building Legacies

Some of the features and benefits of Building Legacies’ small business support service.

• Supports businesses in London
• Caters for micro, small and medium enterprises
• Provides supply chain brokerage support
• Tailored supplier support
• Specific support for construction, care, digital and creative sectors
• Advice and support
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Coaching and mentoring
• Networking opportunities
• Support with financial planning

Building Legacies is an enterprise that supports businesses with growing and provides procurement support for small to medium and micro-enterprises based in London. They offer support to buyers and suppliers in the form of advice and support as well as at events which include workshops, masterclasses and networking opportunities.

Building Legacies buyer support offers high-quality supply chain brokerage services that assist contractors, developers and buyers. They offer suppliers free tailored business support especially to construction, care, digital and creative sectors. They also offer coaching and mentoring, strategic and financial planning, and policies and compliance documents that ensure you meet the right standards.

Building Legacies website

12. BECCI Project

Some of the features and benefits of the BECCI Project’s small business support service.

• Supports small to medium enterprises
• Covers the Black Country and Marches LEP area
• Offers support to carbon reduction products in the housing sector
• Supports the development of new products and services
• Helps with a variety of energy efficiency measures
• Provides academic experts
• Mentoring schemes
• Support the identification of opportunities and market and product research
• Evaluate new technologies
• Conduct building simulations utilising leading software

BECCI Project stands for Built Environment Climate Change Innovations. It was set up to support businesses in the Built Environment sector to drive down carbon emissions in existing housing through the development of new products and services. It targets SMEs that are based in the Black Country and Marches LEP area in the West Midlands.

BECCI Project works with SMEs and provides them with links to academia to offer practical support, mentoring, exhibition space at events, identify opportunities, evaluate technology, research and testing. They support products including building fabric and insulation, heating and cooling controls, ventilation, battery storage and smart grids.

BECCI Project website

13. NWES

Some of the features and benefits of NWES’ small business support service.

• Supports businesses in the East of England and London
• Offers practical advice and support
• Provides a range of grants
• Designed for SMEs
• Caters for existing businesses wanting to grow and develop
• Assists new business start-ups
• Grants offering up to 30% of eligible costs
• Offers workspaces
• Events
• Specialist scheme for offshore renewables

NWES is a business support provider that covers the East of England and London offering both practical support and grants. They are a not-for-profit organisation which helps to encourage enterprise and boost self-employment. They support new businesses getting started and existing businesses that are wanting to grow and develop.

NWES supports small to medium-sized businesses through a range of advice services, events, workspaces and grants. The grant programmes include grants that can offer up to 30% of your eligible costs to assist you in growing your business, produce innovations, job creation and specific scheme just for offshore renewables.

NWES website

14. Enterprise Business South

Some of the features and benefits of Enterprise Business South’s small business support service.

• Supports business in all stages of their journey
• Offers free business start-up course
• One-to-one advice
• Impartial and confidential advice
• Access to a variety of finance options
• Mentoring programme
• Workspaces
• Creates business connections
• Offers a range of resources
• Aims to grow businesses and employment in the region

Enterprise Business South is a business support provider that operates in the Central South of England and is based in Southampton. They provide support to businesses in all stages of their journey which includes business start-ups through to established businesses.

Enterprise Business South offers a programme that enables businesses to connect, promotes the region to secure investment, supports start-ups and fledgeling businesses to survive and grow. They have over 100 champions and partners to support them. Specific support includes comprehensive self-employment training, one-to-one advice, mentoring and workspaces. They can also support you in finding and accessing finance including secured and unsecured finance.

Enterprise Business South website

15. North Somerset Enterprise Agency

Some of the features and benefits of the North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s small business support service.

• Supports enterprises in North Somerset
• Assists new businesses in getting set up
• Provides growth support to existing businesses
• Impartial and confidential service
• One-to-one counselling, mentoring, coaching and network opportunities
• Business course and training
• Specialist support provided to some sectors and individuals
• Free or subsided services such as marketing and legal
• Initial appointment to assess your needs
• Signposting to resources

North Somerset Enterprise Agency is a not-for-profit organisation that has been set up to encourage and support local enterprises to get started and grow to stimulate the local economy. They offer impartial and confidential support to businesses and individuals in North Somerset. They aim to provide a positive social and environmental impact in the area.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency offers businesses one-to-one business counselling, three days starting a business course, training seminars, business mentoring, coaching and network opportunities. They provide specialist support to social enterprises, creative businesses, rural companies and women. They can provide free or subsided services including accounting, legal, marketing and IT.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency website

16. Colbea

Some of the features and benefits of Colbea’s small business support service.

• Provides business support in Essex
• Tailored support for business start-ups
• Assists business growth
• A free one-to-one session with a business advisor
• Access to training courses and workshops
• Networking opportunities
• Fully serviced office spaces
• Meeting and training rooms
• Flexible virtual tenancy
• Offices in key hubs

Colbea is a not-for-profit organisation that strives to support businesses in Essex. They provide a variety of services which includes business advice, training, offices and support. Their services are available to new business start-ups and existing businesses wanting to grow.

Colbea offers free advice sessions with an experienced business advisor and a variety of training, workshops and networking opportunities focused on setting up and developing your business. They can assist you with office space in their fully serviced offices which cater for new businesses in an encouraging environment which also includes meeting and training rooms. They also offer virtual tenancy to help flexibly support you at an affordable cost.

Colbea website

17. British Library Business and IP Centre

Some of the features and benefits of the British Library Business and IP Centre’s small business support service.

• Supports small business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors
• Also helps businesses wanting to scale-up
• Offers £10,000 of free support
• Specialist start-up support
• Growth support to expand and go international
• 10 London hubs and 15 national network centres
• One-one advice
• Workshops and webinars
• Helps you to protect your ideas
• Reference library and resources

British Library Business and IP Centre supports small business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors in starting a business, growing their business and protecting their business. They provide a variety of services and operate from 10 London library hub points and 15 national networking centres across the UK to assist new and early-stage businesses.

British Library Business and IP Centre offer specialist start-up support and scale-up support through their Innovating for Growth programme that can provide up to £10,000 worth of free support. Their IP support can help you protect your ideas. They also offer mentoring, workshops, events, resources and articles.

British Library Business and IP Centre website

18. Business Assist

Some of the features and benefits of Business Assist’s small business support service.

• Support for growing businesses
• Expert impartial advice
• Designed for sole traders and SMEs
• Covers the East Midlands
• Access to information, resources and training
• Tailored package
• Practical support
• Assistance in growing, developing and tackling issues
• Experienced business advisor to support you
• Can help arm you with the tools you need

Business Assist is provided by NBV as a programme that assists existing businesses to grow, to gain confidence and knowledge. They support sole traders, small and medium-sized businesses in the East Midlands with expert impartial advice. They can provide businesses with access to high-quality information, resources and training to assist them.

Business Assist offers a bespoke package of support to help businesses to grow, develop and tackle issues. Their business advisers are experienced and can offer you sound advice and guidance as well as signpost you to resources. They will tailor the support to your business needs and give you practical support.

Business Assist website

19. Manchester City Council Business Continuity Planning

Some of the features and benefits of Manchester City Council Business Continuity Planning’s small business support service.

• Offers business continuity support
• Provided by Manchester City Council to cover their area
• Assistance to cope with disruptive incidents
• Includes severe weather, flood and fire
• Free advice and training
• Helps you to improve your business resilience
• Encourages a joint up approach
• Offers a range of online resources
• Toolkits, templates and guides
• Cyber-crime and security

Manchester City Council Business Continuity Planning is a resource that has been set up to support businesses and organisations in the Manchester City Council area to plan for disruptive incidents. This covers incidents such as severe weather, flood and fire. This is led by the Manchester Business Continuity Forum.

Manchester Business Continuity Forum offers free advice and training for organisations to help proactively improve their resilience for disruptive incidents. They invite businesses to join their forum and encourages a joint up approach to share best practice and learning. They provide an online resource which includes a toolkit, plans, templates, exercises, guidance, and cyber-crime and security support.

Manchester City Council Business Continuity Planning website

20. Business Development Grant Scarborough

Some of the features and benefits of Business Development Grant Scarborough’s small business support service.

• Helps business start-ups
• Supports the growth of existing SME businesses
• Run by Scarborough Borough Council
• In partnership with Scarborough Jobmatch
• Business advice provided by Jobmatch
• Grants for start-ups for up to £1,000
• Grants for existing businesses for up to £5,000
• Up to 50% match funding offered
• Applicants must create jobs with the funding
• Grants are considered on a quarterly basis

Business Development Grant Scarborough is a programme run by Scarborough Borough Council alongside Scarborough Jobmatch. They offer support to pre-start-up businesses and ongoing support once established. They aim to help new businesses and the growth of small to medium-sized businesses in the Scarborough Borough.

Business Development Grant Scarborough require you to have support from a business advisor through Scarborough Jobmatch before you apply for one of their grants. They offer two grants which can offer up to 50% match funding for eligible costs. The grants are a Business Start-up Grant offering up to £1,000 and a Business Expansion Grant offering up to £5,000 to existing businesses.

Business Development Grant Scarborough website

21. Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands

Some of the features and benefits of Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands’ small business support service.

• Provides support to businesses to reduce their carbon footprint
• Free energy and resource reviews
• Offers grants up to £20,000
• Business must be based in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
• Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs
• Part ERDF funded
• Managed by Worcestershire Council
• Open to businesses with less than 250 employees
• Need to have energy costs over £2,000
• You can apply by email or over the phone

Business Energy Efficiency Programme is run by Worcestershire Council in partnership with Herefordshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. The programme focuses on improving energy and resource efficiency of businesses in these council areas.

Business Energy Efficiency Programme is part-funded by ERDF and can offer grants of up to £20,000 to help businesses to reduce their impact on the environment through improving energy efficiency. They can help you to conduct energy and resource efficiency review for free if you have under 250 employees and energy costs over £2,000.

Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands website

22. Business Growth Calderdale

Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Calderdale’s small business support service.

• Council business support team
• Helps develop and grow businesses
• Supports new business start-ups
• Access to funding and grants
• Apprenticeship schemes
• Professional and expert advice
• Links with other businesses
• Keeping you informed
• Support in exporting
• Access to their University Business Centre

Business Growth Calderdale is a support programme delivered by Calderdale Council and is open to businesses that operate in their district. They offer their support to business start-ups, growing businesses through to large businesses. The aim to create a strong and resilient economy that helps stimulate business development and growth.

Business Growth Calderdale offers a variety of business support which includes business start-up support, access to funding and grants, apprenticeship schemes, links with other businesses, expert advice and keeping you informed. They also have set up a University Business Centre in Halifax with Leeds Beckett University to provide affordable business space.

Business Growth Calderdale website

23. CWRT Business Loans

Some of the features and benefits of CWRT Business Loans’ small business support service.

• Provides finance solutions
• Caters for businesses that fall through the gaps
• Offers a loan scheme that reinvests funds
• Suitable for business start-ups
• Can be used for business growth
• Designed for those who can’t raise finance from elsewhere
• Offers specialist business support
• Tailored package
• Covers Coventry and Warwickshire
• Some service only available in Warwickshire

CWRT Business Loans is part of Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust which is a not-for-profit organisation that is FCA accredited to provide financing solutions. The Trust helps business to finance their growth with loan funds that are recycled to support other businesses. They aim to fill the gaps where businesses are not getting the support and finances they need.

CWRT Business Loans are offered to businesses that are starting up or existing businesses who can’t raise enough finance from other sources. They also offer specialised business support that is tailored to meet the needs of the business that are not normally catered for by the mainstream providers in Warwickshire.

CWRT Business Loans website

24. Business Northumberland

Some of the features and benefits of Business Northumberland’s small business support service.

• Provides a range of business programmes
• Team of specialists to provide support
• Designed for SMEs
• Covers the North East
• Bespoke and tailored advice
• Offers online workshops and courses
• One-to-one business advice
• Networking events
• Funding and support writing funding applications
• Part ERDF funded

Business Northumberland is a team of specialist advisers that provide business support to SMEs in Northumberland and the rest of North East LEP region. They provide a range of business programmes which includes business growth, entering new markets, employment and skills, search engine optimisation, leaderships and management, marketing and communications, websites and eCommerce, and social media.

Business Northumberland offers bespoke and tailored advice for SMEs which can include one-to-one business advice, online workshops and courses, networking events as well as support in finding funding and writing funding applications. They provide this support through partial ERDF funding.

Business Northumberland website

25. Business West

Some of the features and benefits of Business West’s small business support service.

• Supports business in the West of England
• Assistance in starting a business
• Guidance on growing your business
• Support you in developing ideas
• Help in exporting overseas
• Access to grants
• Events and training
• Business coaching
• Specialist support on key matters
• Business guides and news

Business West is a not-for-profit organisation that has been set up to assist businesses getting started through to growing and developing in the West of England. They offer a range of business services to businesses of all sizes.

Business West offers assistance to business start-ups which includes one-to-one support, workshops, advice, business planning, premises and workspace, and start-up funding. They also help growing businesses through tailored support including coaching, finding finance, investment and grants, one-to-one support, training, workspace and premises. They support innovation by helping you to identify new opportunities, protect your ideas and get your products or services to market.

Business West website

26. The Business Factory

Some of the features and benefits of The Business Factory’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses and individuals in North Tyneside
• Open to all regardless of age, background and circumstances
• Helps business start-ups
• Assists growing businesses
• Supports social enterprises
• Helps the development of innovative ideas
• Professional support
• One-to-one advice
• Workshops
• Specialist consultancy

The Business Factory is an initiative that helps people to set up new businesses, grow a business or develop ideas in North Tyneside. The programme is run on behalf of North Tyneside Council. They offer support to new business start-ups, those looking to grow with up to 250 employees, social enterprises and anyone wanting to develop an innovative idea.

The Business Factory offers free professional business advisers and development officers to support businesses and individuals. They offer one-to-one support, specialist consultancy and workshops including accountancy, social media, PR, websites and more. Their business start-up support is available to all regardless of age, background and circumstances.

The Business Factory website

27. West Berkshire Council Business Support

Some of the features and benefits of West Berkshire Council Business Support’s small business support service.

• Provides help and advice to businesses
• Confidential and impartial service
• Sector-specific support
• Business planning
• Marketing strategy
• Grants and funding
• Reducing energy bill guidance
• Brexit support
• Signposting to partners
• Available to all businesses in the West Berkshire area

West Berkshire Council offers Business Support through their Economic Development team who provide help and advice to businesses. They offer support to businesses within the West Berkshire Council area.

West Berkshire Council Business Support is provided free of charge and they offer confidential and impartial service that is delivered by their trained team or through signposting to partners. Business support offers sector-specific support, marketing strategy, grants and funding, energy efficiency improvements and Brexit support. Their partners can offer help with financial and legal support on all aspects of your business, training and development, apprenticeships, personal development and mentoring.

West Berkshire Council Business Support website

28. Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme’s small business support service.

• Business support in Coventry and Warwickshire
• Assistance in setting up a new business
• Helps established businesses to grow
• Specialist sector support
• Workshops, events and seminar
• Networking and supply chain opportunities
• Support in accessing finance
• Grants
• Referrals to specialist business support programmes
• Recruitment service

Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub and specialist delivery partners. It is delivered on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council and it is part-funded by ERDF. They provide support to new business start-ups and established businesses that want to grow.

Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme provides support on setting up a business, assistance in addressing barriers to growth and specialist sector support. They offer workshops, events, seminars and networking opportunities. They can assist with finding finance including grants and loans. They can also make referrals to other specialist support programmes and access to their recruitment service.

Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme website

29. CDC Enterprise Agency

Some of the features and benefits of CDC Enterprise Agency’s small business support service.

• Supports people wanting to set up a business
• Assists people and businesses in the North East
• Business coaching
• Workshops
• Office space
• Training and meeting rooms
• Start-up loans
• Banking referrals
• Website support
• Has offices in Consett and Chester-le-Street

CDC Enterprise Agency is a not-for-profit enterprise that helps people and businesses in the North East. They help people to turn their ideas and passions into a workable business to run as full or part-time employment. They also support businesses that are established to grow their business.

CDC Enterprise Agency offers a range of services including business coaching, workshops, business barometer and business book club. They can also offer office space, virtual offices and meeting or training room space in their Consett and Chester-le-Street offices. They can also put you in touch with resources to support your business including start-up loans, Tide business banking and Squarespace websites.

CDC Enterprise Agency website

30. City Business Library

Some of the features and benefits of City Business Library’s small business support service.

• Provides a wide range of resources
• Based in City London library
• Specialist business information
• Market research
• Access to business databases and publications
• National and international statistics
• Company data
• Business news
• Expert assistance
• Seminars, workshops and events

City Business Library is based in Aldersmanbury, London and it is designed to support small businesses. They provide businesses with access to a range of specialist business information and market research. Their support is largely tailored towards start-ups, but they also cater for sole traders, micro and SMEs, charities and social enterprises.

City Business Library offers free access to a comprehensive range of business databases and publications. This covers start-up advice, market research, national statistics, international statistics, company data and business news. Their resources can be accessed in the library and some information is available online to members. They also provide expert assistance and run seminars, workshops and events.

City Business Library website

31. CITB Grants Scheme

Some of the features and benefits of CITB Grants Scheme’s small business support service.

• Grant and funding opportunities
• Available to small to larger employers
• Funding to support qualifications and apprenticeships
• Training and project grants
• Employees training in the workplace
• Can make contributions towards training costs
• Offers construction-related training
• Short course grants
• Qualification grants
• Apprenticeship grants

CITB Grants Scheme is delivered by CITB which is the Industry Training Board for the construction industry in England, Scotland and Wales. They aim to help construction businesses to attract employees and to support their skill development. They provide a range of employment and skills-based training and qualifications for the construction sector.

CITB Grants Scheme can provide support for apprenticeship support and specific project support with grants and funding options. It can help businesses to provide day to day training with a contribution towards the costs. There are three grant schemes which are short course, qualification and apprenticeships.

CITB Grants Scheme website

32. Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme’s small business support service.

• Support businesses to become more energy efficient
• Grant funding is available for £1,000 to £50,000
• Offers up to 40% grant contribution
• Available to SMEs
• Must have fewer than 250 employees
• Based in Coventry and Warwickshire
• Minimum of your business needs to be with other businesses
• Help to reduce energy and water use and reduce waste
• Also provides support for low carbon product development
• Part ERDF funded

Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme provide funding to businesses that want to make energy efficiency improvements that can help them save money on energy, waste and water. The programme is delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd and is part ERDF funded. It is available to businesses that are SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire and have less than 250 employees.

Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme offer free energy and resource efficiency audits to help you find out which energy efficiency measures your business could consider. They also provide grants from £1,000 to £50,000 for towards energy efficiency measures with 40% grant contribution.

Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme website

33. D2 Business Starter Programme

Some of the features and benefits of D2 Business Starter Programme’s small business support service.

• Designed specifically for start-up businesses
• Open to businesses and individuals in Derby and Derbyshire
• Register with them to access services and support
• Provides free support
• Initial discovery call to plan the next steps
• One-to-one adviser support
• Support online, over the phone and in-person
• Programme of online interactive workshops
• Support with business basics
• Assistance with sales and marketing

D2 Business Starter Programme is delivered by East Midlands Chamber and is funded by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council. They provide free support to those wanting to set up a new business in Derby and Derbyshire. You will need to register with them online to access support.

D2 Business Starter Programme offers a range of support including an initial discovery call to understand your business and help you to assess your next steps. They offer one-to-one online, phone or in-person adviser support to assist you. They also run a programme of nine practical workshops that are held online which includes basics, sales and marketing.

D2 Business Starter Programme website

34. DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire

Some of the features and benefits of DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses in reducing their carbon emissions
• Open to businesses in Derby and Derbyshire
• Offered to small to medium-sized businesses
• Includes a free on-site survey
• Access technical support, process improvement and consultancy
• Grants available for carbon reduction measures
• Offers grants up to £20,000
• Grant contribution of up to 40%
• You need to register your interest through their website
• It is part-funded by ERDF

DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire is a partnership between Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and the University of Derby and is part-funded by ERDF. It is open to small to medium-sized businesses in Derby and Derbyshire who want to reduce their carbon emissions.

DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire offer a free on-site carbon reduction survey to discover which carbon reduction measures might be suitable and grants to support the installation of them. They offer grants from £1,000 to £20,000 with a grant contribution of up to 40% of the eligible costs. They also support businesses developing carbon reduction products and process improvements with technical and research support and consultancy support.

DE-Carbonise Derby and Derbyshire website

35. Digital Drive County Durham

Some of the features and benefits of Digital Drive County Durham’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses develop their digital capabilities
• For businesses in County Durham
• Offers one-to-one digital adviser support
• Runs digital health checks
• Personalised recommendations
• Funding with up to 40% of the eligible costs
• Masterclasses and events
• Social media and videos
• Websites
• Customer service

Digital Drive County Durham is run by Business Durham and funded by Durham County Council and ERDF to help businesses in County Durham to develop their digital capabilities. They aim to support businesses so that they can do more with digital technology.

Digital Drive County Durham offers businesses one-to-one digital adviser support and can run a digital health check on your business so that they can provide personalised recommendations on what steps your business could take. They offer funding of up to 40% of the eligible costs for digital projects. They run masterclasses and events which focus on topics including social media, websites, videos and customer service.

Digital Drive County Durham website

36. Digital Transformation Manchester

Some of the features and benefits of Digital Transformation Manchester’s small business support service.

• Helps businesses with digital transformation
• For businesses in Greater Manchester
• Provides specialist Digital Innovation Advisors
• Help you to identify what you need to do
• Will guide you on your digital journey
• Support in analysing data
• Review of your IT infrastructure
• Develop strategy and optimise operations
• Support purchasing digital technology and services
• Assistance innovating and collaborating

Digital Transformation Manchester is run by Business Growth Hub for Greater Manchester and it caters for businesses operating in its area. The scheme is designed to help businesses to transform their digital infrastructure, support digital technology purchases and improve digital capabilities or processes.

Digital Transformation Manchester provides Digital Innovation Advisors that will help you to identify what digital improvements your business needs which could include a review of your IT infrastructure and what steps you may need to take in your digital transformation. The advisors will help guide you on your journey which could include developing a strategy, optimising your operations, purchasing, innovating and collaborating with others.

Digital Transformation Manchester website

37. DigitalCity Tees Valley

Some of the features and benefits of DigitalCity Tees Valley’s small business support service.

• Assists businesses in developing digital capabilities
• Available to SME businesses in the Tees Valley
• Supports new digital start-ups
• Harness digital technologies to grow your business
• Support programmes
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Consultancy advice
• Networking
• Creative Fuse project
• Part ERDF funded

DigitalCity Tees Valley is an initiative that brings together a team of partners to support the digital growth of businesses in the Tees Valley. They assist businesses by equipping them with knowledge, skills and tools they need to survive in a digital world. They support business start-ups and help SMEs to grow through digital technologies.

DigitalCity Tees Valley offers a range of support which includes support programmes, workshops, masterclasses, consultancy advice and networking opportunities. Their Accelerator Programme assists early-stage tech companies in growing and launching new products or services. The Scale Programme helps to equip digital business leaders with the knowledge to grow their business and increase profitability.

DigitalCity Tees Valley website

38. Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme’s small business support service.

• Supports the employment of graduates
• Offers funding to support the recruitment and training
• Designed for small and medium-sized enterprises
• Available to businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
• Offers up to £1,000 to recruit a graduate
• Includes advertising, sifting applications and short-listing
• Onboarding support new recruits
• Can offer up to 400 hours of internship
• Help to develop the graduates in post
• Access to their Advanced Skills Programme

Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme is designed to help small to medium-sized enterprises in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and it is run by the University of Derby. The programme aims to assist graduates in to employment. The programme is part-funded by the European Social Fund and is part of the ESF High Level Skills programme.

Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme offers a grant of up to £1,000 to recruit a graduate (within three years of graduating) through the D2N2’s GRADS project. The funding can be used to provide recruitment and post recruitment training support. The support can include advertising the position, sifting applications, short-listing and onboarding.

Driven ESF High Level Skills Programme website

39. Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups

Some of the features and benefits of Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups’ small business support service.

• Provides support to business start-ups
• Supports early-stage businesses to grow
• Available to people in County Durham
• Tailored support
• Has a directory of support available
• Details funding available
• One-to-one support and mentoring
• Networking opportunities
• Online and face-to-face events
• Insights from sector experts

Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups is a programme that is part-funded by ERDF and is provided by Business Durham. They support businesses that are yet to start-up or in the early stages of setting up (within 12 months) and are in the County Durham region.

Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups offers a variety of support including a directory of business support and funding available to those in the region from a variety of providers. They offer tailored support to assist businesses in getting started which includes expert-led workshops. They also provide one-to-one support and mentoring, online and face-to-face events, networking opportunities and guidance on new opportunities.

Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups website

40. East Durham College Free Digital Training

Some of the features and benefits of East Durham College Free Digital Training’s small business support service.

• Provides free digital training courses
• Covers the County Durham area
• Designed from small to large businesses
• Digital skill awareness courses
• Two levels of email courses
• Accountancy training
• Microsoft Training Packages
• Social media courses
• Apply online or over the phone
• Funded by the European Social Fund

East Durham College offers Free Digital Training curtesy of the European Social Fund to upskill yourself or your staff. The training courses are available to most businesses from small to large businesses in the County Durham area free of charge, although eligibility criteria apply.

East Durham College’s Free Digital Training offers a variety of courses which includes digital skills awareness, email training level 1 and 2, accountancy training, Microsoft training packages such as Word, Excel and others, and social media. To find out more and check your eligibility either apply online or contact them by phone or email.

East Durham College Free Digital Training website

41. Durham Sparks

Some of the features and benefits of Durham Sparks’ small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups and existing community enterprise
• Available to those in County Durham
• Connects entrepreneurs with other businesses
• Business coaches
• Aids the development of people
• Business advisors to guide you
• Specialist support on key subjects
• Events and workshops
• Access to other support and help
• Part ERDF funded

Durham Sparks is a regional development programme that is funded by Durham County Council and ERDF. It aims to connect entrepreneurs in County Durham with existing enterprises and business coaches. The programme is run by Finchale Group Consortium to support community enterprise start-ups and existing community enterprises to achieve their goals.

Durham Sparks provides practical business support, advice and information that is fully funded. They can offer specialist support on business development, strategic planning, marketing, funding and investment, people development, governance, product and service development. They can also help you in accessing workshops and events by others and themselves.

Durham Sparks website

42. South East Enterprise

Some of the features and benefits of South East Enterprise’s small business support service.

• London based enterprise agency
• Supports business start-ups
• Assists established businesses
• Flexible and tailored support
• One-to-one business advice
• High-quality training
• Helps you to develop practical skills
• Guidance on social media and internet promotion
• Assist with company formation
• Services may be chargeable

South East Enterprise is an enterprise agency that provides advice and support to businesses in London. They support businesses that are starting up and existing businesses with a wide range of services. Charges may apply for some services and you would need to enquire for prices.

South East Enterprise offers businesses flexible and tailored business support which can include advice on setting up a company, legal formats, business plans, finance, forecasting, VAT, sales and marketing, social media, e-business, website and employment considerations. They provide high-quality training to help you to develop practical skills and knowledge. They also offer company formation services.

South East Enterprise website

43. Energy for Business Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Some of the features and benefits of Energy for Business’ small business support service.

• Offers support in the energy field
• Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
• Available to those in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
• Provides collaboration opportunities
• Brings together businesses, academia and graduates
• Reduce carbon footprint
• Assist business growth
• Stimulate innovation
• Support the local economy
• Eligible businesses must have less than 250 employees

Energy for Business is a project part-funded by ERDF and is managed by the University of Nottingham’s Energy Innovation and Collaboration team. The project offers access to capital grants to help with product research and development. supports small to medium-sized businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Energy for Business provides collaboration opportunities throughout the energy field that can help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint whilst growing your business and have a positive impact on the local economy. To be eligible for support and funding you should have less than 250 employees and turnover under 50 million Euros.

Energy for Business website

44. Enterprise Answers

Some of the features and benefits of Enterprise Answers’ small business support service.

• Provides finance and support to businesses
• Caters for business in Cumbria, North Lancashire and Yorkshire Dales
• Independent provider of business advice and support
• Funding from £10,000 to £200,000
• Supports business start-ups
• Helps growing businesses
• Can be used for expansion and premises
• Takes referrals from banks and lenders
• Works alongside accountants and financial advisors
• Creates funding packages

Enterprise Answers provides support that plugs the funding gap for those that can’t benefit from main sources of finance in the rural areas of Cumbria, North Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. They are an independent provider of advice and support for businesses that are based Penrith.

Enterprise Answers offers funding from £10,000 to £200,000 that can be used for start-ups, expansions and premises. They work closely with banks and other lending providers to support businesses with alternative finance if they are unable to lend from mainstream lenders or may create joint funding packages. They also work alongside accountants and financial advisors to assist in building finance packages.

Enterprise Answers website

45. Enterprise Europe Network

Some of the features and benefits of the Enterprise Europe Network’s small business support service.

• Provides assist in finding finance and funding
• Assists pre-seed businesses
• Business start-ups and early-stage businesses
• Supports growing businesses
• Provides signposting services for funding options
• Can help you to find grants and support R&D
• Support you in building a business plan
• Assistance in developing pitches through training
• Help you to find partners
• Can support you in making global connections

Enterprise Europe Network is a network of organisations that support businesses getting set up and assists the growth of existing businesses. They can support businesses by helping them to access funding, find partners and make connections from around the global. They can assist you in finding funding or finance from public or private sectors.

Enterprise Europe Network provides support to pre-seed businesses, start-ups, established and growing businesses. They also offer support in accessing funding, creating a business plan and developing pitches. Their services include helping you to seek out grants, loans and investors, banks and venture capitalists.

Enterprise Europe Network website

46. Princes Trust Enterprise Programme

Some of the features and benefits of the Princes Trust Enterprise Programme’s small business support service.

• Supports 18-30 year olds to start a business
• Available to individuals in the South of England
• Help to turn dreams into a reality
• Free information session
• Interactive workshops
• Business advisor
• Training and mentoring opportunities
• Expertise including business plans, marketing, budgeting and tax
• Assistance in planning and testing your ideas
• Support in accessing funding

Princes Trust supports young people aged 18-30 and one of their programmes is the Enterprise Programme. This programme provides support to young people in the South of England to set up a business.

Princes Trust Enterprise Programme starts with an information session to get a feel for the programme and what support is available. The next stage is to attend a four-day workshop to learn about setting up a business and to access a business advisor. It will cover writing a business plan, how to do marketing and sales activities, creating a budget and managing tax. They will also help you to access funding and test your ideas.

Princes Trust Enterprise Programme website

47. Enterprise Steps

Some of the features and benefits of Enterprise Steps’ small business support service.

• Provides tailored business support
• Aids new and existing enterprises
• Available to businesses in London
• Offers guidance and direction
• One-to-one coaching and mentoring
• Tailored workshops
• Masterclasses and seminars
• Networking events
• Product development
• Part ERDF funded

Enterprise Steps project is led by Newham College in partnership with London South Bank University and Enterprise for London and is part-funded by ERDF. They offer a tailored programme of business support to new and existing businesses in London.

Enterprise Steps provides a variety of free business support which includes one-to-one coaching and mentoring to help you tailored advice. They also offer tailored workshops, masterclasses, marketing and finance seminars, and networking events. They can also provide product development support to help you to get your products to market. You can register with them by email or phone for information and a registration form.

Enterprise Steps website

48. FEAST2

Some of the features and benefits of FEAST2’s small business support service.

• Supports food and drink manufacturers
• Offers business support and grants
• Grants offer up to 25% of the eligible costs
• 12 hours of technical support
• Mentoring support
• Industry events
• Help in purchasing production equipment
• Access to industry experts
• Specific knowledge and experience sharing
• Part ERDF funded

FEAST2 programme that is run by the Food and Drink Forum with The Mallows Company and through ERDF funding. It supports both food and drinks manufacturers by giving them access to grant funding, mentoring, technical support and industry events.

FEAST2 offers grants which can provide up to 25% of the eligible costs that can be used for purchasing production equipment. Their technical support offers up to 12 hours of free support which can include product labelling, nutritional analysis, gaining certification, product stability advice, food safety and hygiene. Their mentoring programme gives you access to industry experts and industry events can offer specific knowledge and experience sharing.

FEAST2 website

49. Fit For Nuclear

Some of the features and benefits of Fit For Nuclear’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses bidding for work in the nuclear industry
• Aids UK manufacturing
• Designed by industry leaders to assist the supply chain
• Caters for new nuclear sites
• Engineering and components
• Operational support
• Decommissioning facilities
• For businesses with more than 10 employees although some microenterprises may be considered
• Businesses don’t need to have nuclear experience
• Business with a turnover higher than £1.6 million

Fit For Nuclear was created by Nuclear AMRC with other industry partners to stimulate the nuclear supply chain. It helps UK manufacturing and the supply chain to bid for work including building new facilities, engineering, components, operational support and decommissioning of facilities.

Fit For Nuclear supports the development of high-precision mechanical engineering, controls, instrumentation, electricals and other components. To be eligible for support you do not need to have experience in the nuclear industry but have specialist skills, products or services. You will also need to have a turnover above £1.6 million and 10 employees, although some microenterprises might eligible if they have a niche product or service.

Fit For Nuclear website

50. Flexible Support Programme

Some of the features and benefits of the Flexible Support Programme’s small business support service.

• Supports business wanting to explore their innovation potential
• Designed for SMEs
• Available across the UK
• Offers 12 hours one-to-one supports
• Provides a pick and mix approach to their support
• Tailored support
• Eligible if you sell to other businesses
• Assistance analysing the market and strategic planning
• Developing digital and attracting the right people
• Part ERDF funded

Flexible Support Programme is run by The North East Business and Innovation Centre and is part-funded by ERDF to support SMEs that want to explore their innovation potential. They support business to business SMEs anywhere in the UK, although they tend to be in County Durham.

Flexible Support Programme offers 12 hours one-to-one support delivered over four to six months. They offer tailored support with a pick and mix approach to select the support you need. Their support covers four themes – Horizon Scanning to analyse trends and developments, Strategic Planning to help embed innovation across the business, Digital Landscape to understand and develop technologies, and Attracting Innovative People.

Flexible Support Programme website

51. ESA Business Applications

Some of the features and benefits of ESA Business Applications’ small business support service.

• Provides business support and funding
• For developing technology for space and agriculture
• Supports business across Europe
• Provides tailored project management support
• 60,000 to 2 million Euros funding available
• Zero Equity Funding also available
• Personal consultant
• Technical and commercial guidance
• Support from their network and partners
• Use of ESA branding for credibility

ESA Business Applications is a programme managed by ESA Space Solutions and offers support to businesses that are developing technology for use either in space or agricultural. They accept applications on either thematic opportunities or open applications. They provide business applications, business incubation and technology transfer support.

ESA Business Applications can offer tailored project management support, personal consultant, technical and commercial guidance as well as access to their network and partners. They also offer funding that can range from 60,000 to 2 million Euros and Zero Equity Funding that can be used per activity. Applications can include satellite communications, satellite navigation, satellite earth observation spaceflight technologies and space weather.

ESA Business Applications website

52. Future Focus Programme

Some of the features and benefits of the Future Focus Programme’s small business support service.

• Offers business growth support
• Can provide help in identifying opportunities
• Promotes innovation and unlocking potential
• Aids growth acceleration and minimise risk
• Can provide access to labs
• Assistance in conducting bespoke business research
• Coaching
• Insight events
• Grants to assist with purchases
• Recruitment support

Future Focus Programme is run by Unlocking Potential and is part-funded by ERDF and was created to support businesses wanting to accelerate their growth whilst minimising their risk. They provide both practical and financial support to businesses in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly.

Future Focus Programme is designed to help businesses to identify business opportunities and promotes innovation to unlock the potential of your business. Their support includes access to labs and trips to other businesses and insight events to help you to learn from others and access resources. They offer grants that can be used to purchase items, provide coaching sessions and recruitment assistance.

Future Focus Programme website

53. Business Finance North West

Some of the features and benefits of Business Finance North West’s small business support service.

• Provides alternative business finance options
• Designed for growing businesses
• Fair and impartial service
• Provides funding to those that can’t get finance from mainstreams lenders
• Can provide access to finance up to £2 million
• Business loans
• Equity investment
• Export finance
• Bounce Back loans
• Has a network of 500 private investors

Business Finance North West is a business finance service that supports growing businesses who have been unable to get finance from mainstream lenders to assist them. They provide alternative business finance options that can offer funding up to £2 million.

Business Finance North West provides a fair and impartial service to businesses across the UK and assistance in accessing finance through a variety of funds from £500 to £500,000. They have a network of over 500 private investors that can offer up to £2 million. They also offer an emergency fund of £10 million for SME businesses in the Greater Manchester area provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Business Finance North West website

54. Get Enterprising Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Get Enterprising Programme’s small business support service.

• A business growth support programme
• Funded by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership
• Supports early-stage businesses
• Available to SMEs in Hertfordshire
• Free tailored advice
• One-to-one business advice
• Training workshops and webinars
• Networking opportunities and events
• Access to finance and funding
• Access further support through the Hertfordshire Growth Hub

Get Enterprising Programme is funded by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and is run by Wenta. The programme is designed for early-stage businesses that require assistance in growing and scaling as well as innovating. It is available to SMEs that are based in Hertfordshire.

Get Enterprising Programme offers free tailored advice that can include one-to-one business advice online, by phone or face-to-face, training workshops, webinars, networking opportunities and events. They can also provide access to finance and funding to help you to fund your growth. You can also get further support through the Hertfordshire Growth Hub.

Get Enterprising Programme website

55. Get Growing 2

Some of the features and benefits of Get Growing 2’s small business support service.

• Provides business support to SMEs
• Available to businesses in Hertfordshire
• Assists businesses in stabilising and growing
• Offers a tailored support package
• One-to-one advice
• Dedicated account manager
• Grant funding of up to £5,000
• Provides up to 45% of eligible costs
• Eligibility criteria apply
• Part ERDF funded

Get Growing 2 is a programme that is run by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership which is part-funded by ERDF to deliver support to SMEs in Hertfordshire who want to stabilise and grow. They can offer a combination of practical support and access to funding.

Get Growing 2 provides tailored support to businesses that include one-to-one advice and a dedicated account manager who can assist you in planning your business growth and plans to stabilise your business. They can also assist you in accessing funding which includes grant funding of up to £5,000 with a grant contribution rate of up to 45% of the eligible costs.

Get Growing 2 website

56. Getset for Growth East Dorset

Some of the features and benefits of Getset for Growth East Dorset’s small business support service.

• Funded growth support for business
• Part of a national programme but this one is specifically for Dorset
• Designed for SMEs
• Provides high-quality professional resources
• Offers commercial insight and knowledge
• One-to-one support from a specialist advisor
• Practical workshops
• Online learning portal
• Events
• Part ERDF funded

Getset for Growth East Dorset is a business support programme that assists businesses that are wanting to grow. Getset is a national programme but this scheme is specifically for Dorset SMEs and is part-funded by ERDF. The programme provides businesses with access to high-quality professional resources including commercial insight, knowledge and practical support.

Getset for Growth East Dorset offers one-to-one support from a specialist Business Finance or Marketing advisor, practical workshops that are tailored to deliver new skills, a range of business events and workshops, and an online learning portal providing learning modules and a resource library.

Getset for Growth East Dorset website

57. Getset for Growth West of England

Some of the features and benefits of Getset for Growth West of England’s small business support service.

• Supports business growth
• For businesses in the West of England but part of a national programme
• Caters for SMEs
• High-quality professional resources
• Provides commercial insight and knowledge
• One-to-one hands-on support
• Tailored workshops
• Access to an online learning portal
• Offers a range of events
• Part-funded by ERDF

Getset for Growth West of England is part of a national programme that supports business growth, this scheme is for the West of England. The programme is part-funded by ERDF and forms part of the Enterprising West of England programme. The programme aims to provide businesses with high-quality professional resources, invaluable commercial knowledge and insights as well as practical support.

Getset for Growth West of England can provide dedicated sessions with specialist Business Finance or Marketing advisor. They also offer practical and tailored workshops to aid you in learning new skills. Their online learning portal is designed to give SMEs access to interactive training and resources.

Getset for Growth West of England website

58. Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

Some of the features and benefits of Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups
• Assists businesses that want to expand
• Delivered with university support
• Assistance finding premises
• Developing skills and training
• Recruitment support
• Industry and market research
• Grant opportunities
• Access to other support providers
• Provides support for graduates

Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire supports businesses who are starting and those are wanting to grow. They partner with Staffordshire University and Keele University to provide support for graduates, R&D linkages and knowledge transfer.

Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire can provide tailored support in finding premises, developing skills through training, recruitment, industry support and market research. Their advisors can assist you in setting up and developing your business. They can assist you in finding funding and grants. They also provide access to support form South Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire website

59. Social Enterprise West Midlands

Some of the features and benefits of Social Enterprise West Midlands’ small business support service.

• Free business support for social enterprises
• Assists new and existing enterprises
• Available to those in Coventry and Warwickshire
• Customised support
• Wide variety of advice available
• Professional business advisers
• One-to-one advice
• Group sessions
• Up to 12 hours of support
• Part ERDF funded

Social Enterprise West Midlands is run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency and is part-funded by ERDF. They provide support to social enterprises that are wanting to set up, those seeking to convert to a social enterprise and existing social enterprises in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Social Enterprise West Midlands offers customised support that can cover a broad variety of areas including company formation, premises, raising finances, managing finances, marketing, employee management, legal structures and obligations. They offer one-to-one advice and group sessions to deliver support and they would typically offer up to 12 hours support.

Social Enterprise West Midlands website

60. North East Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of North East Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Assists businesses to find support
• Supports businesses in the North East
• Helps start-ups and existing businesses
• Provides a directory of funding, grants and loans
• Details all the business support schemes
• Dedicated start-up programme
• Toolkits and resources
• Mentoring programmes
• Lists a range of business events
• Insights

North East Growth Hub is delivered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and helps businesses in the North East. They assist businesses in growing and to access finance so that it can help the local economy.

North East Growth Hub offers support themselves through a range of programmes as well as providing a signposting service to business support schemes, events funding, grants and loans. They offer specific support for start-ups which includes a start-up programme and a toolkit to help businesses to get started. They also detail a range of toolkits and resources that are available. They run and list a range of apprenticeship and mentoring programmes.

North East Growth website

61. Horizon 2020

Some of the features and benefits of Horizon 2020’s small business support service.

• Provides support for research and innovation
• They have a seven-year funding pot
• Supports partnerships of three or more organisations
• Aims to assist breakthroughs and innovations
• Supports ideas getting to the market
• Publish funding and tender opportunities
• Can apply for the grants online
• Deadlines apply
• A panel of experts will evaluate the application
• Project requirements will be outlined in the grant agreement

Horizon 2020 is a Research and Innovation programme that is available across the EU over a seven-year programme which has 80 million Euros of funding. The programme aims to help organisations to develop their ideas from being a lab experiment to being in the marketplace, and to aid the stimulation of innovation and breakthroughs.

Horizon 2020’s funding opportunities are published online on the funding and tender website where you can also make your application and find guidance and completion instructions. Each opportunity has a limited timescale and deadlines apply. All applications are assessed by an expert panel who agree the application and your grant agreement will detail the project requirements.

Horizon 2020 website

62. JumpStart Warwickshire

Some of the features and benefits of JumpStart Warwickshire’s small business support service.

• Supports start-ups and existing businesses
• Flexible and free support
• For businesses in Warwickshire
• Tailored assistance
• Range of business workshops
• Masterclasses
• Peer-to-peer networking opportunities
• Start-up and business finance
• Specialist programme for creative businesses
• Part ERDF funded

JumpStart Warwickshire is delivered by CWRT and part-funded by Warwickshire County Council and ERDF. It aims to help businesses to get started and to assist businesses to grow. They offer flexible and free support to local businesses that are based in Warwickshire. They provide specialist tailored assistance that is designed to meet your business needs.

JumpStart Warwickshire offers a range of business workshops, masterclasses, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and access to start-up and business finance. Workshops can include topics such as personal development, business planning, marketing, cash flow, financial planning and management, branding and social media. The Creative Springboard programme is tailored to support for creative businesses.

JumpStart Warwickshire website

63. Innovation UK

Some of the features and benefits of Innovation UK’s small business support service.

• Provides a range of innovation competitions
• Industry-specific projects with targets to achieve
• Supports the drive for science and technology
• Helps to drive efficiencies
• Creation of new processes or products
• Reduce environmental impacts
• Projects have a specific timescale to work to
• Funding levels depend on the size of the business applying
• Grant contribution varies but often between 50-70%
• New opportunities are added all the time

Innovation UK is an organisation set up to help businesses to access opportunities and drive science and technology forward through innovation to assist the growth of the UK economy. They run a wide variety of innovation competitions focused on specific industries that will have a particular target or aim to achieve.

Innovation UK’s competitions aim to drive efficiencies, create new processes, develop new products and reduce environmental impacts. Funding from these competitions vary depending on the size of business applying but grant contributions are usually around 50-70% of the eligible costs. All their competitions are listed on gov.uk and are normally open for bids for a couple of months.

Innovation UK website

64. Innovation Support Programme Chesterfield

Some of the features and benefits of Innovation Support Programme’s small business support service.

• Provides innovation support
• Supports businesses in Chesterfield
• Funded support
• One-to-one business review
• Workshops and seminars
• Networking events
• Access to specialist innovation advisers
• Provided by Chesterfield Borough Council
• Can signpost to other support
• Contact the Project Manager for more information

Innovation Support Programme is a support programme provided by Chesterfield Borough Council to help support businesses to innovate in the Chesterfield area. They will help businesses to explore and advance their innovations through a variety of funded support.

Innovation Support Programme offers a range of support which includes a one-to-one business review to help find areas that require support. They also provide a variety of workshops and seminars as well as networking events. They also offer access to one of their specialist innovation advisers who provide guidance and support. For more information, you should contact their Innovation Support Project Manager.

Innovation Support Programme website

65. Innovation Vouchers

Some of the features and benefits of Innovation Vouchers’ small business support service.

• Supports innovation and business growth
• Designed for SMEs
• For businesses in Greater Birmingham and Solihull
• Grant funding available for up to £2,500
• Grant contribution of up to 50%
• Can be used to create new processes, products, systems and services
• Offers access to external expertise
• Provides a range of workshops
• Delivered by Aston University
• Part ERDF funded

Innovation Vouchers is run by Aston University in partnership with Birmingham City University and is part-funded by ERDF. The programme is designed to support small to medium-sized businesses in Greater Birmingham and Solihull that want to develop their innovations and grow their businesses.

Innovation Vouchers offers grants for up to £2,500 which can be used to create new processes, products, systems or services that will increase the efficiency of the business. Grants are provided on a match basis and will offer up to 50% grant contribution. They also provide a range of workshops and give access to external expertise.

Innovation Vouchers website

66. Instant Business Advice

Some of the features and benefits of Instant Business Advice’s small business support service.

• Provides advice and support to businesses
• Helps business start-ups and existing businesses
• Available to businesses and residents in Manchester
• Delivers an online advice service
• Free of charge
• Access qualified advisors
• Online chat
• Business news and events
• Guides and templates
• Access a business community

Instant Business Advice is delivered by Mi Ventures on behalf of Manchester City Council to support businesses and residents in Manchester. The scheme is designed to help business start-ups and existing businesses by providing them with access to business advice.

Instant Business Advice is an online service that is free of charge and can offer advice from qualified business advisors through online chat. They also keep you up to date with business news and events, and give you access to how-to guides and templates form HMRC and Companies House. By registering online with them you can also receive a weekly e-newsletter and gain access to the business community.

Instant Business Advice website

67. InvestSefton

Some of the features and benefits of InvestSefton’s small business support service.

• Provides a variety of business support
• Supports new and existing businesses
• Available to businesses in Sefton
• Events and workshops
• Advice and guidance
• Signpost to other providers
• Assistance finding premises
• Support in developing a business plan
• Help to access new markets including exporting
• Recruitment support

InvestSefton is a service provided for Sefton Council that is designed to provide business support and inward investment into the area to support economic growth. They want to make Sefton an attractive place for businesses to start, operate and grow.

InvestSefton can provide a variety of support which includes assistance with developing a business plan, support in finding business premises or sites, seeking out funding opportunities and handling the council. They provide highly experienced staff to give advice, tailor their services and signpost you to other services available. They can also provide support in accessing new markets which can include exporting abroad.

InvestSefton website

68. Invest East

Some of the features and benefits of Invest East’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses seeking investment
• Helps those with high growth potential
• Available to businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk
• A programme for raising investment
• Conducted over three to five months
• Assistance identifying strengths and weaknesses
• Develop an investment proposal
• Programme of masterclasses
• One-to-one advice and mentoring
• Covers a wide variety of topics

Invest East is an organisation that helps existing businesses with high growth potential with knowledge and experience from their team to assist their journey. They provide a programme called Investment Readiness which is an investor-led programme for business in Norfolk and Suffolk to help raise finance.

Invest East will help you to identify your business’ strengths and weaknesses to help you to put together an investment proposal. They can offer one-to-one advice and mentoring to assist in developing proposals. Their Investment Readiness masterclasses cover navigating your funding journey, finance and planning, cash flow forecasts, communication skills, lean thinking, pitching skills, legal requirements and IP.

Invest East website

69. Invest in Manchester

Some of the features and benefits of Invest in Manchester’s small business support service.

• Provides investment support
• Available to businesses in Manchester
• Assists start-ups, SMEs through to global companies
• Includes those relocating to the area
• Tailored support
• Finance and funding
• Research and market intelligence
• Property solutions
• Recruitment support
• Industry networks and PR

Invest in Manchester was established as a promotion agency for Manchester that aims to create inward investment into the area. They offer a variety of services which includes investment support which is designed to assist businesses that want to expand or relocate to Manchester which also includes new start-ups, SMEs to global companies.

Invest in Manchester offers free and confidential services that are tailored to each businesses’ needs. They will assist with access to research and market intelligence, finance and funding, relocation support, property solutions, recruitment support, industry networks and PR.  Their specialist business development team will assist you and help to remove barriers.

Invest in Manchester website

70. Invest in Nottingham

Some of the features and benefits of Invest in Nottingham’s small business support service.

• Free and confidential service
• For businesses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Also suitable for those relocating to the area
• Property advise and searches
• Bespoke economic data
• Support with funding options
• Workforce skills advice
• Access their business networks
• Support to help businesses to grow and expand
• Supported by ERDF

Invest in Nottingham is an enterprise that has been set up to promote and encourage investment in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. They support businesses within their area and those that are wanting to relocate into the area. It is supported by Marketing Nottingham and ERDF funding.

Invest in Nottingham will create a package of support that will meet your business needs. They can help businesses setting up or relocating to the area with advice about the area and properties including searches and economic data. They can also provide advice on funding solutions, workforce skills, familiarisation visits, and access to business networks.

Invest in Nottingham website

71. Kick Off in Business

Some of the features and benefits of Kick Off in Business’ small business support service.

• Assists new businesses and the self-employed
• Provides an online course
• Free courses
• Offers insight and knowledge
• Gives you the foundations skills to set up a business
• Delivered by expert trainers
• Runs a variety of events
• Support getting set up and protecting yourself and the business
• Finance and funding support
• Promoting your business

Kick Off in Business is an organisation that provides support to those that are setting up a new business or becoming a sole trader. They provide a range of support that is available online to be used anywhere. These courses have been created to allow individuals to gain insight and understanding of how to get started.

Kick Off in Business’ courses provide the foundation skills required which include key subjects include the formal requirements of getting set up, business planning, legal requirements, insurance, finance and funding, and marketing. The marketing subjects include creating your identity, branding your business, identifying your USP, creating a proposition and social media.

Kick Off in Business website

72. Low Carbon Workspaces

Some of the features and benefits of Low Carbon Workspaces’ small business support service.

• Supports SME businesses
• Available in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire
• Match funded grants offered up to a third of eligible costs
• Grants from £1,000 to £5,000
• Designed to help reduce carbon
• Will benefit from cost and waste reduction as well
• Must meet carbon reduction qualification
• Can be used to install a variety of energy efficiency measures
• Others support in calculating carbon reduction
• You can register your interest online

Low Carbon Workspaces is managed by Ngage Solutions with funding from ERDF to provide support to SMEs in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire to reduce their carbon footprint. All projects applying need to demonstrate the carbon savings they will achieve which they will assist you in calculating.

Low Carbon Workspaces can assist businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and in turn, reduce energy costs and waste. They offer grants that can help fund up to a third of eligible project costs from £1,000 to £5,000. Grants are suitable for energy efficiency measures including heating and cooling systems, building fabric improvements, lighting upgrades, solar PV, equipment upgrades and energy management.

Low Carbon Workspaces website

73. Manufacturing Growth Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Manufacturing Growth Programme’s small business support service.

• Designed to make manufacturing improvements
• Suitable for SMEs
• Available in Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, parts of the East Midlands and South East
• Tailored support to businesses
• Access dedicated support by an experienced manager
• Offers grant funding
• Provides a comprehensive business diagnostic tool
• Experts support
• Support in creating an action plan
• Can support you understanding and removing growth barriers

Manufacturing Growth Programme is a manufacturing support programme that is delivered by Economic Growth Solutions. The programme aims to provide growth support to SMEs in Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, parts of the East Midlands and South East that can help them understand their growth barriers and overcome them.

Manufacturing Growth Programme will help support businesses and give them insight as well as practical support from a dedicated and experienced manager that will tailor their support to meet your business’ needs. They can also offer grant funding, conduct a comprehensive business diagnostic tool to assist in action planning and access expert support.

Manufacturing Growth Programme website

74. Creative Europe

Some of the features and benefits of Creative Europe’s small business support service.

• A programme design for the creative industry
• Sub-programme for media
• Sub-programme for cultural and creative sectors
• Some cross-sector funding is offered
• Available to businesses in the UK
• Free advice and support
• Funding opportunities
• Training, workshops, seminars and events
• Networking opportunities
• Support in accessing other funding streams

Creative Europe is a programme that supports cultural, creative and audio-visual sectors through this European Union programme to help promote the sectors. They offer support to businesses across the UK that work in one of these creative sectors. They will provide services including advice, specialist advisors as well as access to training, workshops, seminars and industry events.

Creative Europe offers a Media sub-programme for film, television, video games and new media with funding programmes until 2027 providing funding, training and networking opportunities. The culture sub-programme is designed to support collaborative projects mostly in cultural and creative sectors.

Creative Europe website

75. Medilink East Midlands

Some of the features and benefits of Medilink’s small business support service.

• Supports the healthcare industry
• Available to businesses in the East Midlands
• Helps businesses establish, develop and grow
• Offers sector-specific information
• Advice and guidance
• Training opportunities
• Market access support
• Access to business and knowledge networks
• R&D collaboration opportunities
• Assistance in overcoming growth barriers

Medilink East Midlands is the East Midlands arm of the life science industry association which has been created to assist businesses in the healthcare industry to establish, develop and grow. They support both private and public institutions, start-ups through to multinational companies, NHS and universities.

Medilink provides specialist support to life science organisations to assist them in overcoming barriers to growth. They offer their knowledge team and expert assistance to provide organisations with sector-specific business and innovation information and a range of support. Their support includes advice and guidance, skills training, market access support including international, access to business and knowledge networks, and R&D collaboration opportunities.

Medilink website

76. National Tooling Loan Fund

Some of the features and benefits of National Tooling Loan Fund’s small business support service.

• Specific scheme for the tooling sector
• Available across England
• Provides a revolving fund
• Offers investment amounts from £50,000 to £2m
• Open to component manufacturers and toolmakers
• Assists in creating jobs and safeguarding jobs
• Contribute towards design, development and creation of tooling
• Assist with expanding tooling capacity
• Loan rates of 7.5% above the base rate
• 2% arrangement fee

National Tooling Loan Fund is a scheme that is designed to assist component manufacturers and toolmakers in designing, developing and manufacturing tooling for new projects. It offers investment from £50,000 and up to £2 million to eligible manufacturing businesses in any sector and is a revolving fund.

National Tooling Loan Fund is a loan that helps new projects or those yet to start with the design, development and creation of tooling or to expand tooling capacity within a business. The loans offer a commercial rate of 7.5% over the base rate and a 2% arrangement fee applies.

National Tooling Loan Fund website

77. New Business Start Up Advice East Durham

Some of the features and benefits of New Business Start Up Advice’s small business support service.

• Helps start-ups and growing businesses
• Supports those in East Durham
• New business start-up advice
• Offers flexible office space
• Provides meeting room hire
• Open to individuals and existing businesses
• Based in Peterlee
• Planning and marketing support
• Assistance in employing an apprentice
• A range of workshops

New Business Start Up Advice is a service provided by the East Durham Business service which is based at Novus Business Centre in Peterlee. They provide a range of business support for individuals and businesses in East Durham whether you want to start a business or develop and grow an existing one. It is supported by ERDF and the European Social Fund.

New Business Start Up Advice offers a range of advice and support which includes planning, marketing and apprenticeships. They can assist you in finding premises and employing an apprentice. Their support includes access to workshops, advice, news and blogs.

New Business Start Up Advice East Durham website

78. North of Tyne Growth Fund

Some of the features and benefits of the North of Tyne Growth Fund’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses who want to grow
• Offered to businesses in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland
• Available to those wanting to relocate into the area
• Only open to existing business
• Offers grant funding
• Up to 30% of eligible costs
• The project must be over £134,000
• Complete an enquiry form to get more information
• An advisor will be allocated to discuss your project
• Part ERDF funded

North of Tyne Growth Fund is a programme designed to support existing small to medium-sized businesses in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland or those relocating to the area. The programme aims to assist business growth and is part-funded by ERDF.

North of Tyne Growth Fund offers grant funding to eligible businesses with projects that are over £134,000 which will result in business growth. The grants can offer up to 30% of the eligible project costs. If you want to access their grants, you need to complete an enquiry form or contact them by phone or email to discuss your project with a project advisor who will review your eligibility.

North of Tyne Growth Fund website

79. Outset Cornwall

Some of the features and benefits of Outset Cornwall’s small business support service.

• Aids business start-ups
• Available to businesses in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly
• Access expert business advisors
• Assistance exploring your business ideas
• Informal information sessions
• Practical workshops
• Online learning
• Events
• Support to help you start, run and grow
• Part ERDF funded

Outset Cornwall is a programme that is designed to help businesses in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly to set a business up. They offer a team of friendly and supportive expert business advisors to help you to explore your ideas and work out your next steps.

Outset Cornwall offers a variety of support which includes informal sessions on setting up a business, practical workshops, online learning and events. Their workshops are held as five half session run over a five-week period that will assist you in starting a business, run it and then support its growth.

Outset Cornwall website

80. Outset East Dorset

Some of the features and benefits of Outset East Dorset’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups
• Assistance through the first two years
• Available to people in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
• Offers a versatile and free programme
• Programme of workshops
• Online resources
• Support from advisors
• Events
• Assistance in developing your plans
• Part ERDF funded

Outset East Dorset offers a range of support to new business start-ups in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch through a free and versatile programme. They offer business start-ups support over their first two years’ trading which includes advice, support and finance programme.

Outset East Dorset offers business feasibility workshops to help you assess your business idea and assist you in creating a feasibility plan through two four-hour workshops. They also offer one-to-one support from an advisor to help you overcome challenges. They provide access to their online platform which holds content and exercises as well as facilitating groups for businesses to communicate.

Outset East Dorset website

81. Outset Bristol

Some of the features and benefits of Outset Bristol’s small business support service.

• Provides practical support to new businesses
• Available in the Bristol area
• Supports you in building business skills
• Give you confidence and knowledge
• Gain insight into marketing and sales
• Meet like-minded people
• Fundamentals sessions
• One-to-one support
• Online platform
• Finance support

Outset Bristol is part of a network of schemes that provide support to new business start-ups in various locations in the UK, this is one is for Bristol and the West of England. The scheme is designed to help people who want to set up a business to build their business skills and to give them confidence and knowledge to take the next step.

Outset Bristol offers an introduction to enterprise course that provides the fundamentals in setting up a business including understanding your market and customers. They offer business start-up sessions including social media, website and finance. A one-to-one advisor will also help you with your needs.

Outset Bristol website

82. Outset Swindon and Wiltshire

Some of the features and benefits of Outset Swindon and Wiltshire’s small business support service.

• SME Competitiveness programme
• Available in Swindon and Wiltshire
• Designed for pre-start-ups and growing businesses
• Also those made redundant from Honda
• Assist people in developing their ideas
• Support in building confidence and skills
• Ability to run your own business
• One-to-one support
• Workshops and sessions on specific topics
• Part ERDF funded

Outset Swindon and Wiltshire is delivered in partnership with Swindon and Wiltshire LEP, SetSquared, Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council with funding from ERDF. SME Competitiveness programme assists entrepreneurs that are starting up a business or growing one. It also offers support specifically for those made redundant by Honda in setting up a business.

Outset Swindon and Wiltshire will help you to develop your ideas, assist you in developing your confidence and skills, and how to set up and run your own business. They run an introduction to enterprise course to help get you started with the skills you need including website design, social media and finance.

Outset Swindon and Wiltshire website

83. Outset Plymouth

Some of the features and benefits of Outset Plymouth’s small business support service.

• Provides Enterprise Coaching
• Available to Plymouth residents
• Designed to help business start-ups
• One-to-one support
• Modular business workshops
• Online learning resources
• Understanding of marketing, sales and finance
• Access to national community virtually
• Financial guidance
• Funded by Plymouth City Council and ERDF

Outset Plymouth offers Enterprise Coaching as part of the national Outset programme to provide support to new businesses in Plymouth. The programme is designed to help individuals to set up a new business and give them the skills they need. The programme is funded by Plymouth City Council and ERDF funding.

Outset Plymouth offers a range of support which includes one-to-one advisor support, workshops and an online platform. Offers a series of two or three workshops to provide business essentials. The online platform provides content and a series of exercises to help you build a business plan. They also offer access to a virtual national network and financial guidance.

Outset Plymouth website

84. Outset Waltham Forest

Some of the features and benefits of Outset Waltham Forest’s small business support service.

• Provides support to business start-ups
• Available to individuals in Waltham Forest
• Fully funded programme
• Modular business workshops
• One-to-one support
• Learn business start-up essentials
• Expert support
• Online platform
• Access to a national community
• Financial support

Outset Waltham Forest is part of a national service offering business support, particularly for new business start-ups. This programme is designed to help Waltham Forrest residents to set up a business and it is fully funded by the London Borough of Waltham Forrest.

Outset Waltham Forest offers business start-up workshops over two to three days covering modules including all the essential topics in starting a business. They provide a professional advisor to give one-to-one support by phone, Skype, email or in person. They offer access to their online platform which provides a variety of content and exercises. They also provide access to a national community, financial support and events.

Outset Waltham Forest website

85. South Bristol Enterprise Support

Some of the features and benefits of Outset South Bristol Enterprise Support’s small business support service.

• Business support to new and growing businesses
• Available to businesses and individuals in the South Bristol area
• Assists growth and economic investment in the area
• Tailored advice
• Coaching opportunities
• Grants
• 12-hour Introduction to Enterprise course
• One-to-one support
• Strategic workshops
• Existing businesses must meet their criteria

South Bristol Enterprise Support is a programme that was created by a consortium of key partners to help new and existing businesses in South Bristol. It assists existing SMEs with a turnover under 50 million Euros and under 250 staff. It brings together two support programmes – Outset and GetSet.

South Bristol Enterprise Support offers a variety of business support which includes a 12-hour Introduction to Enterprise course covering topics such as financial forecasting, cash flow, marketing, branding and sustainability through Outset. They also offer support through the GetSet for Growth programme in the form of strategic workshops and one-to-one support that assists with business growth.

South Bristol Enterprise Support website

86. Productivity Through Innovation

Some of the features and benefits of Productivity Through Innovation’s small business support service.

• Offers tailored business support
• Delivered by local universities
• Caters for SMEs
• Available in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
• Targets productivity improvements
• Grant funding available
• Between 20% and 30% grant funding
• Supports funded graduate placements
• Access to consultancy days
• Can fund collaborative research

Productivity Through Innovation is a programme designed to help small to medium-sized businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The programme is run by the University of Nottingham with Nottingham Trent University and the University of Derby to help deliver productivity improvements and provide placements for graduates.

Productivity Through Innovation offers businesses support that includes grant funding for 20-30% of a graduate salary for a maximum of 12 months, 200 hours’ worth of a funded graduate placement, up to five days consultancy from an academic expert, and funding to support bespoke collaborative research. The projects need to drive productivity improvements that could increase profitability, turnover and competitiveness.

Productivity Through Innovation website

87. Green Growth

Some of the features and benefits of Green Growth’s small business support service.

• Supports business to grow sustainability
• Available in Manchester
• Help in reducing operating costs
• Promote and grow green technologies and services
• Expert advice and support
• Assistance transforming products and packaging
• Increase operations efficiency
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Intensive support programme
• Efficiency toolkit

Green Growth programme is part of the Business Growth Hub in Manchester that aims to support businesses in all stages of their journey to reduce the impact on the environment. It is delivered by their resource efficiency and green technologies and services team to assist with reducing operating costs and to grow green technology and service sectors.

Green Growth can help you to increase your operational efficiency to reduce energy, waste and water usage that will also reduce carbon emissions. They can assist you in transforming your products and packaging through more eco-design and reduced processing. They provide an intensive support programme and an efficiency toolkit.

Green Growth website

88. Scale Up New Anglia

Some of the features and benefits of Scale Up New Anglia’s small business support service.

• Supports high growth potential businesses
• Available in Suffolk and Norfolk
• Access to experts
• Support from Growth Hub advisors
• Peer-to-peer learning
• Workshops and conferences
• A network of business support organisations
• Comprehensive business health analysis
• Practical insights
• Access to national and regional policymakers

Scale Up New Anglia is a programme designed for businesses in Suffolk and Norfolk that have ambitious growth potential and want assistance to accelerate their expansion. They offer a wide variety of support to those that meet their eligibility criteria.

Scale Up New Anglia gives participants access to a range of resources and people including experts from industry and academia, support from a Growth Hub advisor, a network of business support organisations, and national and regional policymakers. They also provide access to peer-to-peer learning opportunities, business support network organisations, workshops and conferences. They will conduct a comprehensive business health analysis and give you practical insights to help guide you.

Scale Up New Anglia website

89. Portobello Business Centre

Some of the features and benefits of Portobello Business Centre’s small business support service.

• Provides start-up and growth support
• Supports social enterprises too
• Available to London based businesses
• Independent and confidential support
• Affordable and high-quality support
• One-to-one advice
• Training courses
• Seminars and workshops
• Business consultancy and networking opportunities
• Advice and access to business loans and finance

Portobello Business Centre is a social enterprise that is a not-for-profit that has been set up to help support business start-ups and growing businesses that are London based. They provide a wide variety of business support that is designed to be affordable and high-quality as well as independent and confidential.

Portobello Business Centre offers one-to-one advice from trained advisors, advice and access to business loans and finance opportunities. They provide training courses, seminars and workshops to help you build and expand your skills such as planning, finance, accounting, marketing and branding. They can offer business consultancy and access to networking opportunities.

Portobello Business Centre website

90. Skillmakers Hertfordshire

Some of the features and benefits of Skillmakers Hertfordshire’s small business support service.

• Helps to grow existing businesses
• Available in Watford and South West Hertfordshire
• Free to use resources
• Skills training
• Apprenticeships
• Assistance finding talent
• Support the development of corporate social responsibility
• Events
• Conduct a training needs analysis
• Mentoring

Skillmakers Hertfordshire is a collaborative programme by West Herts College, Oaklands College and Watford Borough Council with Hertfordshire LEP. They offer a free to use resource to help local businesses to grow through developing skills, access to information and contacts for other businesses in Watford and South West Hertfordshire.

Skillmakers Hertfordshire offers a variety of resources which will help explain options available to businesses that can use to build skills, resources and access support. Access skills resources including training, conduct a training needs analysis, apprenticeships and mentoring. They also can help you to find talent and grow your existing talent.

Skillmakers Hertfordshire website

91. Business Information Point

Some of the features and benefits of Business Information Point’s small business support service.

• Provides high-quality business support
• Available in Devon
• Fully-funded projects
• Help business start-ups
• Supports growing businesses
• Offers a range of programmes
• Grants and funding
• One-to-one advice
• Experienced advisors
• Workshops

Business Information Point is a business support agency which helps the self-employed and small businesses that are wanting to set up or grow in Devon. They offer a range of different programmes that tend to be fully-funded by ERDF or the government.

Business Information Point offers a variety of support which includes grants and funding advice, one-to-one support, experienced support advisor and workshops. Their expert team will help you to identify opportunities and find support to assist you on your journey. Their workshop programmes include finances, regulation, grants and funding, IT, marketing and social media.

Business Information Point website

92. South East Creatives

Some of the features and benefits of South East Creatives’ small business support service.

• Support for creative businesses
• Available to businesses in the South East
• Helps a broad range of creative businesses
• Grants up to £10,000
• Up to 35% grant contribution rate
• Internships
• Workshops
• Events
• A partnership between councils and the University of Essex
• Part ERDF funded

South East Creatives is a programme developed by South East Local Enterprise Partnership and is part-funded by ERDF to support creative businesses in the South East of England. They support businesses such as marketing, architecture, crafts, design, film/TV/radio, IT, museums, libraries, music, photography, publishing, performing and visual arts.

South East Creatives offers grants up to £10,000 with a grant contribution rate of up to 35% of the eligible costs to support start-ups, improve business efficiency, increase turnover, buy equipment and develop new products or services. They also offer internships and run events on topics including marketing and social media, cash flow and forecasting, price strategies, intellectual property rights, and networking.

South East Creatives website

93. Woking Works

Some of the features and benefits of Woking Works’ small business support service.

• Provides support to start-ups and growing businesses
• Available within Woking
• Start-up Woking Business Club
• Access to their knowledge base
• Signposting to financial support
• Access to business networks
• Advice clinics
• Events
• Free appointments with their trained advisors
• Assists collaboration with other businesses

Woking Works is a partnership with Woking Borough Council that supports businesses and promote Woking as a place to do business. They provide support to both new business start-ups and existing businesses through links with other local businesses, organisations and independent advisors.

Woking Works aims to help businesses to grow and prosper through promoting collaboration with other businesses and providing access to a range of support. They run a Start-up Woking Business Club to support start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses and assist them in networking. They give members access to their knowledge base and share essential business news. They can provide advice and signpost to grants and funding opportunities.

Woking Works website

94. New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership

Some of the features and benefits of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s small business support service.

• Supports growth and enterprise
• Assists start-ups, micro and SMEs
• Available in Norfolk and Suffolk
• Offers a range of support programmes
• Advice and support
• Assistance accessing funding
• Skills development
• Free and impartial support
• Grants from £1,000 to £500,000
• Supports tackling climate change

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership supports growth and enterprise in Norfolk and Suffolk by working with businesses, education institutions and local authorities. They manage a range of programmes and initiatives and secure investment to improve local infrastructure and provide business support. They focus on tackling climate change to address challenges or creating opportunities.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership supports start-ups, micro and SME businesses offering a range of funding opportunities including grants from £1,000 to £500,000 available to businesses of all sizes and sectors. They offer a variety of advice and support options that are free and impartial as well as supporting the skill development of your staff.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership website

95. Starting in Business Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Starting in Business Programme’s small business support service.

• Supports new business start-ups
• Available in Nottingham, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire
• Delivers support to individuals
• Access expert support
• Funding opportunities
• Training
• A programme of workshops
• Assists with business planning
• Meet like-minded people
• Build your skills and confidence

Starting in Business Programme is a programme that has been developed to support individuals that live in Nottingham, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. They support a wide range of businesses to get started regardless of the sector that you are setting up in.

Starting in Business Programme offers a series of business workshops to support individuals in building up the skills and confidence you need to start your business. The workshops will give you practical skills and allow you to meet like-minded people. The first workshop is two days and will teach you the fundamentals and the second workshops is one day focusing on business planning.

Starting in Business Programme website

96. Business Growth Programme Cheshire and Warrington

Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Programme’s small business support service.

• Assists business start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in Cheshire and Warrington
• Expert support especially in specific sectors
• One-to-one advice
• Workshops
• Masterclasses
• Mentoring
• Networking opportunities
• Support from delivery partners
• Part ERDF funded

Business Growth Programme is a business support programme that is available in Cheshire and Warrington that provides support to new business start-ups and growing businesses which is part ERDF funded. Fill in their contact form to receive a call back from an advisor who will check your eligibility and guide you on the next steps.

Business Growth Programme offers expert support and advice from delivery partners with specific knowledge in food and drink, agriculture, energy, construction, computing and life sciences. They offer a variety of support which includes one-to-one advice, a range of workshops and masterclasses, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Business Growth Programme website

97. TALE

Some of the features and benefits of TALE’s small business support service.

• Designed specifically for logistics businesses
• Available in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex
• Offered to SMEs with under 250 employees
• Helps to improve productivity and efficiency
• Must include data analytics development
• Grants are available up to £10,000
• Grant contribution of up to 40%
• Funding for software, devices and consultancy
• A range of webinars
• Mentoring opportunities

TALE or Transport and Logistics Efficiencies programme support businesses in the logistics industry to make efficiencies. They provide support and funding to logistics businesses with projects that involve data analytic tools and techniques to improve the businesses and their efficiency.

TALE provides a variety of support which includes access to industry experts, grants, webinars and mentoring opportunities. They offer two levels of support which are TALE LITE and TALE which both provide support purchasing software and consultancy advice. TALE can also be used for equipment. TALE LITE is designed for small projects with grants from £2,500 to £5,000. TALE offers grants from £2,500 to £25,000.

TALE website

98. Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme’s small business support service.

• Supports new business start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in the Tees Valley
• Focuses on high-growth businesses
• A tailored package of support
• Dedicated business adviser
• Provides start-up workshops
• Offers grants up to £10,000
• Designed to support social enterprises
• Support young people aged 18-30
• Also supports specific sectors

Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme was designed to help businesses that want to get started in the Tees Valley area. They target certain types of businesses which includes those that are on a trajectory for high-growth, social enterprises, young people aged 18-30 wanting to set up a new business and specific sectors.

Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme offers a grant programme called Start-Up, Scale-Up which provides grants up to £10,000. They cater for specific sectors which include low carbon, oil and gas, advanced manufacturing, automotive, chemical and processing, healthcare and logistics. They offer workshops including business planning, company structure, sales and marketing and social media.

Tees Valley Business Start Up Programme website

99. Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme

Some of the features and benefits of Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme’s small business support service.

• Programme supporting the development and upskilling of staff
• Available to businesses in the Tees Valley
• Suitable for SMEs
• Provides fully funded training
• Supports leadership development and management capacity
• Bespoke training programmes
• Provided by Skills Support for the Workforce project
• Helps to find and fill skills gaps
• Improve productivity and boost business growth
• Part ERDF funded

Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme is a programme that was created to develop business potential through training and upskilling staff and management. It is run by Tees Valley Business and is available to existing SME businesses in the Tees Valley to help them improve productivity and boost business growth.

Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme is a fully funded training programme that offers bespoke training that supports leadership development and management capacity. They will also help you to find the gaps in your or your staff’s skills and help you plug it. Training is provided through Skills Support for the Workforce project.

Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme website

100. The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme

Some of the features and benefits of The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme’s small business support service.

• Offers support to business start-ups
• Available to Hertfordshire residents
• Tailored advice and support
• Provides grant funding
• Free business support for up to 12-hours
• One-to-one business support
• Workshops
• Networking events
• Incubation workspace
• Part ERDF funded

The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme is a programme managed by Wenta on behalf of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and is part-funded by ERDF. The delivery is done in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council and STANTA and is available to Hertfordshire residents.

The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme provides individuals that want to set up a business with tailored advice and support. They offer two types of grants which are for up to £1,000 for start-ups and £3,000 for early-stage businesses. They also offer one-to-one business support from experts, workshops to build skills and knowledge, networking events and incubation workspace in office facilities.

The Hertfordshire Start-Up Programme website

101. Two Zero Lancashire

Some of the features and benefits of Two Zero Lancashire’s small business support service.

• Is a scale-up programme
• Available to Lancashire businesses
• Designed for businesses with ambitious growth plans
• Aspire to 20% year-on-year growth
• One-to-one advice
• Coaching
• Peer-to-peer learning
• Assistance in developing new markets
• Develop your leadership team
• Experienced business advisers

Two Zero Lancashire is a programme that is led by Lancashire County Council to help businesses in the Lancashire area to scale up and grow. Their experienced business advisors support businesses who have ambitious growth plans with a 20% year-on-year growth.

Two Zero Lancashire provides an intense programme of business support to assist business scale up which includes one-to-one advice with an experienced adviser, high-performance coaching opportunities, and peer-to-peer learning. Their programme helps businesses to develop their leadership team and create a road map to enter new markets so that they can manage new challenges and adapt to changing conditions.

Two Zero Lancashire website

102. University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme

Some of the features and benefits of University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme’s small business support service.

• Designed for the food and drink sector
• Supports the growth of businesses
• Incubation programme
• Scientific and technical support
• Knowledge sharing and peer support
• Access to the Peppermint Park Food Enterprise Zone
• Specialist facility and equipment
• Providing training and research opportunities
• Project consultancy
• Business support

University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme is delivered by the National Centre for Food Manufacturing and it offers support to businesses in the food and drink sector. The programme supports the growth of food and drinks businesses and offers an incubation programme to provide dedicated support.

University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme provides businesses with scientific and technical support through the University of Lincoln and other partners. Participants can benefit from knowledge sharing and peer support and access to the Peppermint Park Food Enterprise Zone which is a specialist facility with access to equipment, training and research opportunities as well as project consultancy.

University Enterprise Zone Fund Programme website

103. Wenta Business Advice

Some of the features and benefits of Wenta Business Advice’s small business support service.

• Provides free business advice and support
• Offers trusted and impartial services
• Suitable for business start-ups and existing businesses
• Available in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Enfield
• Experienced business advisors
• Finance and funding support
• Guidance and support
• Training webinars and workshops
• Resources and templates
• Workspace and virtual office services

Wenta Business Advice is a programme provided by a not-for-profit organisation to assist both new business start-ups and existing businesses. They support small business in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Enfield. They offer their service free of charge and it is described as a trusted and impartial service.

Wenta Business Advice offers a range of business advice which can be provided through their online resources or an experienced business advisor. They can offer guidance and support as and when you need it as well as training webinars and workshops, resources and templates, finance and funding support. They can also offer flexible workspaces, hot-desking, meeting rooms and virtual office services.

Wenta Business Advice website

104. Black Country Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Black Country Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses of all sizes and sectors
• Available in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton
• Free and impartial support
• Assists with starting and growing a business
• Recruitment of apprentices and graduates
• Procurement, premises and networking
• Additional support for the health and social care sector
• Job brokerage service
• EU exit support
• Signposting for support for exporting

Black Country Growth Hub was established by the government to help provide free and impartial local support to businesses. This Hub provides support to businesses and entrepreneurs in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton of any size or sector. They offer support to grow or start a business, recruitment of graduates and apprentices, finding premises, procurement, innovation and networking.

Black Country Growth Hub offers support to help with particular issues including additional support for the health and social care sector, EU exit support and signposting for Wolverhampton businesses on exporting. They are also helping during the pandemic with advice and a job brokerage service for those made redundant.

Black Country Growth Hub website

105. Buckinghamshire Business First

Some of the features and benefits of Buckinghamshire Business First’s small business support service.

• Supports start-ups and existing businesses
• Available to those in Buckinghamshire
• Free and impartial advice and support
• Funding and finance support
• Tax and regulation advice
• Provides a skills hub
• Peer networks
• Digitisation support
• Relocation support
• Specific support for tourism and hospitality businesses

Buckinghamshire Business First offers business support to those wanting to start-up or grow a business in Buckinghamshire. They provide free and impartial advice and support which includes funding and finance, tax and regulation, peer networks, digitisation support and relocation assistance.

Buckinghamshire Business First offers a skills hub which facilitates links between businesses and the education sector to provide training, skills development and opportunities for young people. They offer specific support to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector which includes advice, events and funding. You can also access digitisation support to assist you to grow your business through digitising.

Buckinghamshire Business First website

106. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides free business support
• Available in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas
• Suitable for early-stage and established businesses
• Dedicated and expert professionals
• Assistance sourcing grants and funding
• Regulation support
• Assistance with planning
• Employment and training
• Events
• Access to their talent portal

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub is funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority which also covers West Norfolk, West Suffolk, North Hertfordshire, South Holland, South Kesteven and Uttlesford. They provide advice and support to businesses that are getting started and established businesses.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub provide a dedicated team of expert professionals who can provide a variety of support. They assist with finance and funding including grants, loans and alternative funding, as well as assistance with regulation and planning. They offer employment and training support as well as a talent portal to assist employers and individuals.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub website

107. Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Offers bespoke business support
• Available in Cheshire and Warrington
• For start-ups and growing businesses
• Supports business start-ups and growing businesses
• Available to businesses of all sizes and sectors
• Provides a support finder
• Funding and finance signposting
• Networking and events
• Marketing, legal and HR support
• Exporting assistance

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub is part of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and they provide bespoke business support to start-ups and existing businesses. They provide support to businesses of all sizes and sectors in Cheshire and Warrington.

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub provide access to their support finder which allows you to search for advice and support, funding and finance, networking and events, and specific support for marketing, HR, legal, environment, exporting and manufacturing. They also offer national information, search government contracts and finance support. They also offer skills support to help grow your business or assist with digitisation and events.

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub website

108. Coast to Capital Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Coast to Capital Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Fully-funded business advice
• Available in West Sussex. Greater Brighton and East Surrey
• Supports small and medium-sized businesses
• Aims to assist sustainable business success
• Promotes regional economic growth
• Support from Growth Advisers
• Access to Growth Champions for specialist assistance
• Comprehensive business diagnostics
• Funding and finance support
• One free day consultancy

Coast to Capital Growth Hub provides fully-funded business support for small to medium-sized businesses in West Sussex. Greater Brighton and East Surrey. They aim to deliver sustainable business success and regional economic growth through a range of business support activities.

Coast to Capital Growth Hub’s Growth Advisers who can provide free and impartial business support to assist you in growing your business and they can conduct a comprehensive business diagnostic review, and identify funding and finance solutions. They also have a network of Growth Champions that have a range of expertise to support you in specialist subjects and you can receive a day worth of assistance.

Coast to Capital Growth Hub website

109. Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supporting businesses in growing
• Available in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly
• Self-employed and small to medium-sized businesses
• Also suitable for business start-ups
• Expert and impartial guidance
• Access to the Skills Hub
• Grant support
• Business directory
• News and events
• Resources

Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub provide business growth support to the self-employed, small to medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly. They offer expert and impartial guidance to support growth and assist businesses to work smarter as well as helping new businesses to get set up.

Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub offer a variety of advice and support which includes business grants, skills toolkit, business directory, regulatory support, news and events. They also provide access to Skills Hub to help support you in developing your staff and management including finance, digital marketing, IT and leadership as well as apprenticeships.

Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Growth Hub website

110. CWLEP Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of CWLEP Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups and existing businesses
• Available in Coventry and Warwickshire
• Impartial advice
• A one-stop-shop for support
• Financial advice
• Mentoring
• Growth planning
• Networking opportunities
• Sharing of market knowledge and experience
• Access to supply chain portal

CWLEP Growth Hub is an organisation that was created to support the setup and growth of businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire. They aim to help businesses to flourish and develop as well as increase profitability.

CWLEP Growth Hub will match you with a business advisor who has the knowledge and experience to support your business. They act as a single gateway to help you to access and navigate the support available and provide you with financial advice. They also offer mentoring, growth planning support and networking opportunities. They also run an opportunities portal to help businesses to access supply chain opportunities.

CWLEP Growth Hub website

111. Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network

Some of the features and benefits of Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network’s small business support service.

• Assists new business and established ones
• Available in Cumbria
• Free and impartial advice
• Supports the growth and improved productivity of businesses
• Support setting up a business
• Increase your competitiveness
• Export assistance
• Assistance in developing innovative ideas
• Help in finding finance
• A business directory and networking

Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network is an organisation that supports businesses in Cumbria to help them get set up and support the growth of existing businesses. They aim to support businesses in the region to grow, improve their productivity and increase their competitiveness.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network provide specialist support to help start a business. They can help guide businesses that want to export their products abroad or want to develop their innovative ideas into reality. They can help you in finding finance, access their knowledge centre, business directory service, networking opportunities and events.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network website

112. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership

Some of the features and benefits of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s small business support service.

• Bespoke and free business support
• Available in Dorset
• A partnership between different sectors
• Advice and signposting
• Financial advice
• Mentoring
• Business planning
• Workforce planning and recruitment
• Training
• Exporting support

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is an organisation that helps to support businesses in partnership with the local government, education institutes and community organisations. They aim to support economic growth, increase productivity, support in attracting funding and investment. They support new jobs, business growth, develop skills and secure funding.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership provides a bespoke and free service to assist businesses in finding the support they need to grow and develop. They can support you with financial advice, mentoring, business planning, training, workforce planning and recruitment. They can also help signpost you to support for exporting your products.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership website

113. Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Enterprise M3 Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Assists business start-ups and existing businesses
• Supports businesses along the M3 corridor
• Dedicated start-up advice
• Support in growing your business
• Innovation support
• Provides information and resources
• Offers a business support helpline
• Networking opportunity
• Training
• Events

Enterprise M3 Growth Hub is a business-led Local Enterprise Partnership bringing together private and public sector partners to provide business support. They provide support to business start-ups and existing businesses that want to grow across the M3 corridor.

Enterprise M3 Growth Hub offers a free and personal service to businesses that meet their criteria. They provide access to their Information Bank, Resource Network and support Helpline. The Helpline provides business advice in finding grants and loans as well as schemes for support. Their specialist advisors can offer personalised service for more complex issues. They provide support in starting your business, growing your business and innovation support.

Enterprise M3 Growth Hub website

114. The Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of The Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides free help and advice
• Available in Gloucestershire
• Tailored support
• Consultancy support
• Finance finder
• Expert-led workshops
• One-to-one support
• Events
• Support on your digital journey
• Productivity benchmarking

The Growth Hub is an organisation that assists businesses in helping them grow in Gloucestershire. They can offer a variety of support which includes tailored support to provide a personalised service to assist your business in tackling issues and exploring your options.

The Growth Hub can help you to source funding, assist you in getting into new markets and developing your team. Their expert team can provide consultancy, help you to connect to other organisations and schemes, and help you to find people to collaborate with. They also offer a finance finder, expert-led workshops, events, support you on your digital journey and help benchmark your productivity.

The Growth Hub website

115. Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

Some of the features and benefits of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s small business support service.

• Supports start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in Greater Birmingham and Solihull
• Impartial and free advice
• Tailored support
• Expert business advisers
• Advice on funding and finance
• Mentoring
• Networking opportunities and events
• Access the skills and apprenticeship hub
• Signpost to specialist partner organisations

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership provide a Growth Hub that supports new business start-ups and existing businesses to grow in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area. They provide a range of advice, guidance and funding to entrepreneurs and businesses to help create jobs and drive economic growth in the region.

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership provide impartial and free advice that is tailored to meet the needs of your business. Their expert advisers can offer advice on funding and finance, support in starting your business and growing your business. They also offer mentoring, networking opportunities and events.

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership website

116. Business Lincolnshire

Some of the features and benefits of Business Lincolnshire’s small business support service.

• Supports small to medium-sized businesses
• Available in Greater Lincolnshire
• Pre-start and start-up assistance
• Support for growing businesses
• Information and resources
• Grants and finance
• Toolbox guides
• Webinars
• Peer networks
• Local business directory

Business Lincolnshire provides a local business Growth Hub that supports businesses in the Greater Lincolnshire area. They support pre-start and start-up businesses and growing businesses that are small to medium-sized.

Business Lincolnshire offers a range of resources which includes information that is available online, toolbox guides, facts sheets, videos and local business directory. They provide skilled and experienced business advisers that can assist you as well as specialist experts for more specific needs. They offer support in finding grants and finance as well as skills and training advice. They also offer webinars, peer networks, events and business property finder.

Business Lincolnshire website

117. Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester

Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester’s small business support service.

• Provides support to new businesses and growing ones
• Available across Greater Manchester
• Fully-funded service
• Expert one-to-one advice
• Assistance with finance and funding
• Peer-to-peer business support
• Resource efficiency support
• Leadership and mentoring service
• People, skills and talent
• Events

Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester is an organisation set up to support businesses across Greater Manchester whether you are starting a business or growing one. They provide a fully-funded service that offers a broad range of business support to help improve operational efficiency, resource costs, develop leadership skills, supporting innovation, digital and technology development, and exploring new markets.

Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester offers expert one-to-one advice to help support businesses including how to start a business, business strategy assistance and support business growth. They can help you to access finance and funding. They can offer assistance in finding new talent and train your staff.

Business Growth Hub Greater Manchester website

118. Heart of the South West Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Heart of the South West Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business of all sizes and sectors
• Available in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay
• Free and impartial advice
• Start-up support
• Business support programme directory
• Supplier database
• Local training opportunities
• Workshops
• Events
• Links with local and national support services

Heart of the South West Growth Hub is a business support agency that provides free and impartial advice to businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. They support businesses in any stage of their development and growth in any sector and any size. They provide linkages with local and national support services.

Heart of the South West Growth Hub provides start-up and growth support including finance, ICT and digital, sales and marketing, skills and training, people management, legal and regulatory, international trade, and funding and grants. They offer a wealth of resources that you can access as well as support accessing business support programmes, events and workshops.

Heart of the South West Growth Hub website

119. Hertfordshire Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Hertfordshire Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports start-up, growth and scaling up businesses
• Available across Hertfordshire
• One-to-one advice
• Finance and funding
• Resources
• Events
• Assistance promoting your business
• Access to national, regional and local support initiatives
• Support developing an action plan
• Assistance in budgeting and cash flow

Hertfordshire Growth Hub provides a central access point for businesses in Hertfordshire and is delivered by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership using ERDF funding. They provide tailored support and advice to pre-start, start-up and established businesses.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub can provide assistance in helping businesses to get started, to grow and scale-up through a range of business support. They offer access to finance and funding, a variety of resources, and events. They can help you to promote your business within the region and assist you in accessing local, regional and national support programmes. Their one-to-one advice can help you to develop an action plan, business strategy, budgeting and cash flow.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub website

120. Humber Business Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Humber Business Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Offers pre-start, start-up, established and scale-up businesses
• Available to the Humber region
• Offers a range of signposting services
• Free and paid support options
• Business advisors in each Humber area
• Funding and finance
• Support and advice
• Mentoring
• Training courses
• Events

Humber Business Growth Hub provides a signposting service to support businesses in the pre-start, start-up, established and scale-up stages in East Riding, Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. They have a directory of support available that is filtered by area, support needed, sector and business stage as well as whether the support is fully funded and free or a paid-for service.

Humber Business Growth Hub assists a variety of sectors with support with coaching and consultancy, exporting, finance, professional services, skills, training, workforce development, R&D, innovation, product development, and supporting businesses in difficulty. Services can include support and advice, finance and funding, mentoring, training courses and events.

Humber Business Growth Hub website

121. Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in Lancashire
• Offers four core funded programmes
• Dedicated service
• Tailored programmes
• Fully-funded support
• Growth mentoring
• Support for ambitious growth
• Specific support to new and start-up businesses
• Access to finance support

Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub is led by Lancashire County Council and is funded by ERDF to provide support to business start-ups and to assist the growth of businesses in Lancashire. They currently offer four core funded programmes.

Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub offers a Boost Bespoke Programme which provides tailored support to help businesses with ambitious growth plans. Their Growth Mentoring provides an experienced mentor to assist your business during your growth journey. The Growth Support Programme supports new or start-up business to help them get established and grow. The Access to Finance Programme helps businesses to find funding from a variety of options.

Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub website

122. Biz Gateway

Some of the features and benefits of Biz Gateway’s small business support service.

• Provides a single place for business support
• Available in Leicester and Leicestershire
• Tailored support
• Free and impartial
• Supports growth and increase productivity
• One-to-one support and guidance
• Provides information and advice
• Finance support
• Peer network programme
• Events and workshops

Biz Gateway has been designed to provide a single place to find and access business support for those in Leicester and Leicestershire. They aim to provide support to businesses that want to grow and increase their productivity.

Biz Gateway offers free one-to-one advice, events and the Business Growth Grant. They also provide financial support which includes finding grants, loans and alternative funding. They offer tailored support to help you overcome your challenges and they will signpost to a network of local and national partners. They also provide access and promote a wide range of events, workshops and seminars.

Biz Gateway website

123. Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region

Some of the features and benefits of Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region’s small business support service.

• Provides support to pre-start, start-up and existing business
• Available in the Liverpool City Region
• Free and impartial advice
• Access to support programmes
• Expert advice
• Funding support
• Resource library
• Tender opportunities
• Events
• Part ERDF funded

Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region is run by the Local Enterprise Partnership and it supports businesses in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral to grow and access funding. They provide support to pre-start, start-up and existing businesses through their teams that are based in each of the boroughs.

Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region provides a free and impartial advice service to businesses and they have expert advisors who can help you to grow or set up your business. They provide a funding finder service to help you to find suitable funding. They also provide a resource library, tender opportunities and a range of events.

Local Growth Hub Liverpool City Region website

124. London Business Hub

Some of the features and benefits of London Business Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports businesses to start, sustain and grow
• Available in London
• Free and impartial advice
• Dedicated and knowledgeable business advisers
• Advice and support
• Signposting to support
• Access to resources
• Events
• A specific programme for business start-up
• Part ERDF funded

London Business Hub has been established to bring together all the business support that is available to businesses in London in one place. They support businesses who are starting up, trying to sustain and those wanting to grow.

London Business Hub offers free and impartial advice which are provided by their teams of dedicated and knowledge business advisers that are located across five different hubs in London. They provide a signposting service that helps businesses to find the best support schemes, funding, events and resources to help them develop and grow. They also offer a Start Up Step Up programme for business that are not trading yet.

London Business Hub website

125. New Anglia Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of New Anglia Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups and existing businesses
• Available in Norfolk and Suffolk
• High-quality expert advice
• Free and impartial support
• Funding and finance
• Start-up support
• Online workshops
• Toolkits
• Peer network programme
• Exporting advice

New Anglia Growth Hub provides a business support service that offers access to business advisers and a range of other support services from other providers for businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk. They provide support to business start-ups and existing businesses that want to grow.

New Anglia Growth Hub offers free and impartial support from their high-quality expert advisers who can guide you through the support options available to you. They can assist you in finding funding including grants and loans, access to online workshops, toolkits, resources, and exporting advice. They also offer dedicated start-up support and a peer network programme.

New Anglia Growth Hub website

126. OxLEP Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of OxLEP Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides business support to increase growth
• Available in Oxfordshire
• Supports job creation and economic growth
• Free advice
• Funding and grants
• Innovation support
• Skills development
• Apprenticeships
• Partnership with the education sector
• Dedicated support for social enterprise

OxLEP Growth Hub provides business support through their OxLEP Business arm who assists individuals, SMEs and socially-minded businesses in Oxfordshire. They provide free and impartial advice and signposting to businesses to help them grow and increase their network.

OxLEP Growth Hub’s Local Growth Fund’s eScalate programme provides support for growing businesses including guidance, workshops and grant funding. Innovation Support for Business programme assists innovation development include grants, equipment and resources, expertise, workshops, seminars and masterclasses. They also offer one-to-one support with expert advisors who can provide tailored advice to support your business development, growth and how to build resilience.

OxLEP Growth Hub website

127. Sheffield City Region Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Assists new and existing businesses
• Available across the Sheffield City Region
• Provides access to regional and national support
• Experienced teams
• Direct support and advice
• Signposting
• Access to finance
• Innovation support
• Skills support
• Trade and export assistance

Sheffield City Region Growth Hub has been designed to be a gateway to access business support whether that is local or national schemes and support. They offer support to new business start-ups and existing businesses that want to grow in the Sheffield City Region.

Sheffield City Region Growth Hub has a team of experienced specialists that can provide direct advice and signposting services to the right support that businesses need.  They offer tailored services for new businesses and growth support for established businesses. They can also help you to access finance. support to develop your innovations, skills support, and trade and export assistance.

Sheffield City Region Growth Hub website

128. Solent LEP Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Solent LEP Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Designed as the first point of contact for individuals and businesses
• Available across the Solent LEP region
• Free and impartial support
• Supports start-ups, SMEs and large businesses
• Dedicated business advisers
• Finance and funding
• Provides a self-service directory
• Sector support
• Peer networks
• Talent and training

Solent LEP Growth Hub is designed to be the first point of contact for individuals and businesses in the Solent LEP region which covers Portsmouth, Southampton, the New Forrest, the M27 corridor and Solent waterway. They provide free and impartial advice to business start-ups, small to medium-sized businesses and large businesses.

Solent LEP Growth Hub offers business growth support which includes finance and funding support, sector-specific support, mentoring and coaching. They can also help with finding premises and relocating to the region. They can assist with information and resources on digital development, going green, sales and marketing, intellectual property and international markets.

Solent LEP Growth Hub website

129. Kent & Medway Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Kent & Medway Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports business start-ups and existing businesses
• Available in Kent and Medway
• A local team of Business Support Navigators
• Assistance identifying relevant programmes
• Access to funding schemes
• Dedicated start-up support
• Assistance for growing businesses
• Range of resources
• Benchmarking tool
• Events

Kent & Medway Growth Hub is part of the South East Business Hub and is provided by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership to provide local business support. They offer support to business start-ups and existing business across Kent and Medway area. Together with partners, they offer a gateway to opportunities and support.

Kent & Medway Growth Hub’s local team of Business Support Navigators can assist businesses to help them identify which programmes can best support them, and they can also help businesses to find funding schemes. They provide a directory service that details all the schemes, finance and events as well as a benchmarking tool.

Kent & Medway Growth Hub website

130. BEST for Business Solutions

Some of the features and benefits of BEST for Business Solutions’ small business support service.

• Assists start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in Essex, Southend and Thurrock
• Free and impartial support
• Local advisors providing support
• Signposting to a variety of programmes
• Business support helpline
• Support finding funding
• Access to resources
• Benchmarking tools
• Events

BEST for Business Solutions is a part of the South East Business Hub that is delivered by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. They provide business support to new and growing businesses in Essex, Southend and Thurrock. Their services are free and impartial and are delivered by a team of local advisors.

BEST for Business Solutions offers support to businesses that want to grow or scale up including assistance finding funding, employment, apprenticeships and peer network programmes.  They provide advice through their business support helpline and their local advisors who can signpost you to programmes that offer support and funding as well as resources, benchmarking tools and events.

BEST for Business Solutions website

131. Business East Sussex

Some of the features and benefits of Business East Sussex’s small business support service.

• Provides a signposting service
• Available in East Sussex
• Free and independent advice
• Assists business start-ups
• Supports business growth
• Dedicated business experts
• Marketing and planning
• Skills and employment
• Regulation and licensing
• Finding a desk service

Business East Sussex is part of the South East Business Hub which supports three local growth hubs. They provide free and independent support to businesses that are starting up, wanting to grow and are trying to overcome challenges in East Sussex.

Business East Sussex has a team of dedicated business experts who can help you find the right support for your business needs and to assist your growth. They can help with marketing and planning support, developing skills and employment, understanding regulation and licensing, and they also offer a find a desk service to assist business professionals to find suitable office space.

Business East Sussex website

132. SEMLEP’s Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of SEMLEP’s Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Assists start-ups and existing businesses
• Available across the south Midlands
• Experienced advisers
• Coaching and guidance service
• Signposting to support providers and schemes
• Funding and finance
• Business resilence
• Training and employment
• Start-up advice
• EU exit support

SEMLEP’s Growth Hub is the business support division of the South Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership who assists business and economic growth in the South Midlands including Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.

SEMLEP’s Growth Hub has a team of experienced business advisers that can provide coaching and guidance services. They can assist you in finding the services you need to meet your business needs which can be local or national schemes. They also signpost and promote funding opportunities, training services, exporting support and events. They host a range of resources such as business resilience, funding and finance, training and employment support, start-up advice and EU exit support.

SEMLEP’s Growth Hub website

133. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides a regional approach to business support
• Available in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
• Support new businesses getting started
• Assists with growth and development
• Trained and experienced advisers
• Finance and funding
• Employment and skills
• Signposting to other programmes
• Business and peer networks
• Access to resources

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub was established to drive sustainable growth across the region through supporting business development and growth. They support businesses that are yet to get started and those that are already established in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with free and independent support.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub offer information and support to help you get a business started, help you find finance including grants and loans, and employment and skills development. They signpost to other programmes, business networks, peer networks, and growth groups. They can help with specific issues and subjects including writing a business plan, becoming a limited company, finding premises, business tax, licences and finance.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub website

134. Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP

Some of the features and benefits of Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP’s small business support service.

• Provides a gateway to access business support
• Available in Swindon and Wiltshire
• Support for all stages of business
• Free and impartial advice
• One-to-one support
• Peer-to-peer support
• Specialist programme
• Access to funding
• Skills development
• Events

Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP is part of the national network of Growth Hubs that offer a gateway to business support. They provide support and advice to businesses at all stages of their development and growth within Swindon and Wiltshire that is free and impartial.

Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP offer business support that includes one-to-one support, peer-to-peer business support, skills development, and events. They can also provide access to funding and specialist programmes as well as industry-specific support networks, scaling up or start-up support. They also offer Business Kickstart to help with funding for employers to create job placements for 16-24 year olds.

Growth Hub Swindon and Wiltshire LEP website

135. Berkshire Business Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Berkshire Business Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Offers support to entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses
• Available in Berkshire
• Fully-funded and impartial support
• Expert advice and tailored support
• Free clinics and workshops
• Support and information tool
• Provides a High Growth Programme
• Pre-Accelerator Programme
• Recovery and Growth Programme
• ScaleUp Berkshire Programme

Berkshire Business Growth Hub provides business support to entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses. They offer fully-funded and impartial advice and support to businesses in Berkshire which will be tailored to your business by their expert teams. They provide support and information and run several programmes.

Berkshire Business Growth Hub’s Pre-Accelerator Programme is an intensive course to support entrepreneurs to launch a new business. The Recovery and Growth Programme offers impartial and tailored support which includes one-to-one meetings, masterclasses and advice clinics. ScaleUp Berkshire is a growth programme for those with a 3 year consecutive 20% growth and it provides access to scale-up experts.

Berkshire Business Growth Hub website

136. Marches Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of Marches Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides a single point of access for information and guidance
• Available across the Marches region
• Hub sites in Telford, Shrewsbury and Hereford
• Suitable for start-ups, SMEs and large employers
• Advice and support
• Finance and funding
• Networking and events
• Employment and skills
• Research and development
• Tenders and opportunities

Marches Growth Hub has been established to provide a single point of access for business information and guidance for businesses in the Marches region. They support start-ups, SMEs and large employers through their network of hub sites in Telford, Shrewsbury and Hereford.

Marches Growth Hub provides a business support finder that allows you to search for finance and funding from local and national schemes and programmes. You can also use their website to find a variety of advice and support, look for networking opportunities and events, employment and skills support, research and development assistance, and tender opportunities.

Marches Growth Hub website

137. West of England Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of West of England Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Supports the growth and development of businesses
• Available to businesses in the West of England
• Assists businesses of all sectors and sizes
• Bespoke business support
• Experienced advisers
• Financial support and guidance
• Develop your workforce skills
• Technology and innovation
• Networks and collaboration
• Kickstart Scheme for job placements

West of England Growth Hub provides business support to those that want to innovate grow and develop. They support businesses in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire of all sectors and sizes. Their experienced advisers offer free and impartial support.

West of England Growth Hub offers telephone and face-to-face advice that is tailored to your business needs. They can help you to access financial support and guidance so that you can grow your business. They assist in developing your workforce and their skills as well as access to their Kickstart Scheme which assists employers in recruiting 16-24 years olds for job placements.

West of England Growth Hub website

138. Worcestershire Business Central

Some of the features and benefits of Worcestershire Business Central’s small business support service.

• Supports start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in Worcestershire
• Offers guidance and signposting
• Step by step guide for setting up a business
• Funding options
• Access to support programmes
• Resources
• Events
• Peer networks
• Expansion and exporting support

Worcestershire Business Central is a guidance and signposting service for business start-ups and growing businesses in the Worcestershire area. They provide a variety of advice and support as well as resources, events and peer networks.

Worcestershire Business Central can help growing businesses with recruiting, apprentices and upskilling staff, resource efficiency, expanding your operations, accessing new markets and exporting. They provide a step by step guide for setting up a business including finance and tax, business protection, finding premises, marketing and sales. They can also offer support in finding funding to help you get set up, grow or innovate.

Worcestershire Business Central website

139. York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Some of the features and benefits of York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub’s small business support service.

• Provides assistance to start-ups and growing businesses
• Available in York and North Yorkshire
• Supports all sectors and sizes of business
• Access free and impartial expertise
• Tailored support
• Support and resources
• One-to-one advice
• Access to tools
• A range of guides
• Support with finance, tax and regulations

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub provide local business advice and support to all sectors and sizes in York and North Yorkshire. Their support and advice are provided free and it is impartial but is also tailored to your business needs.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub support start-ups which include a range of resources, tools and guides. Their growth support includes practical advice, support and tools as well as one-to-one advice from a Growth Manager. They support scaling up business with expert advice to help nurture skills and driving innovation. They offer a variety of business resources including finance, sales and marketing, tax and regulation, and exporting.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website