Information to help support your business
Speak with a business adviser
Our team of Business Advisers continue to offer fully-funded and impartial business support. Get in touch today for support and advice in regards to Coronavirus.
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Latest government guidance
Find out what Government support is available to businesses, including for employers and the self-employed, and get the latest advice and guidance.
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Government financial support
Support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
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Government videos
Watch videos and register for free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.
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Reopening and working safely
Created to assist businesses in adhering to the new public health guidelines, this gov.uk guide can help you keep your workplace COVID-secure.
GUIDANCE ON WORKING SAFELY >
Employment opportunities
New Anglia LEP is working with partners, including the Department for Work and Pensions, to help businesses find the staff they need to continue to operate.
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Online events and webinars
Our online workshops and webinars, led by local experts, equip ambitious businesses like yours to develop successfully. Sharpen your skills, enhance your network and give your business the tools to grow at a New Anglia Growth Hub event.
Funding Opportunities
Opportunities listed here will be reviewed and updated on at least a weekly basis. Be aware that not all the funding sources listed may be up to date.
OPPORTUNITIES UPDATED 19 APRIL 2021:
Grants to support businesses closed due to Tier Restrictions
Ipswich Borough Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Norwich City Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Great Yarmouth Borough Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
North Norfolk District Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Breckland District Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Broadland District Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
South Norfolk District Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
West Suffolk Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
East Suffolk Council Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant
Funding and support for businesses and specific sectors
Brexit Support Fund
Up to £2,000 per UK SME for training to help them complete customs declaration and manage customs processes. Now open, final deadline 30 June but applying sooner is advisable.
TALE: support and business development grants for the logistics sector
Webinars and tailored business support for the logistics sector, including advice on adapting business models for Covid-19. Business development grants for the sector up £20,000 (40% of total costs).
I-Construct
Grants from £1,000 to £20,000 to part-fund the development of a new product or service in the construction and built environment sector. Alongside specialist sector support. Not primarily marketed in Norfolk and Suffolk but any companies can apply.
DRIVE
DRIVE offers 12 hours of business mentoring to rural businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk, leading to a grant opportunity of £5,000 to £30,000 towards up to 40% of project costs.
The Prince’s Trust and NatWest Enterprise Relief Fund
Grants and support for 18-30 year olds who are self-employed or running their own businesses.
Go Digital
Support, advice and small grants for SMEs in Norfolk keen to improve their digital skills and services
Digital Breckland
Grants for Breckland businesses to adapt to the changing high street, and a linked programme of workshops and training.
Grants for retail and other businesses to support them to re-open safely and successfully post-pandemic.
East Suffolk Council Digital Advice Service
Support and mentoring for businesses to help them grow their business online.
Funding to enable Clean Growth
BEE Anglia
Grants up to £20,000 (up to 40% of total cost) for projects which reduce the carbon footprint of a business; could help businesses trying to reduce their regular costs in the light of Covid-19. Contact the programme for advice and support.
Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme
Up to £200,000 Project Development Funding, or up to £4m demonstration funding for innovations which address barriers to large scale domestic biomass supply in the UK. Deadline 7 May 2021.
Longer duration energy storage demonstration Innovation competition and Offshore Wind Demonstration programme launching spring 2021 – potential projects can register an interest online now. Part of the Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition
Two linked opportunities for clean maritime or smart shipping projects, one for feasibility studies and the other for industrial research or experimental development projects, deadline 2 June 2021
Offshore wind manufacturing investment support scheme
Grants for the construction or extension of manufacturing facilities to produce wind blades, wind towers, cables, foundations and other key wind power components. Final deadline 30 May 2021, but earlier applications are advised.
Transitioning to Zero Emission Vehicles
Grant opportunities for EV infrastructure solutions, Zero Emission vehicle on-car innovation feasibility studies, and projects which address challenges of the transition to Zero Emission Vehicles.
SHAKE
This fund offers start-up grants of up to £140K and innovation support to entrepreneurs and start-ups combating climate change in agriculture and food production. Applications for the next cohort end 3 May 2021.
Workplace Charging Scheme
Government grants of up to £350 per socket to a maximum of 40 sockets per company available to encourage take up of EV charging in SMEs.
Funding for innovation and innovative companies
KEEP+ innovation grant funding
50% towards the cost of knowledge exchange between an SME and a university or other research institution. Can also enable the purchase of consultancy services for innovation activity from the academic or private sector. Funding temporarily paused but worth investigating.
Ground Floor Grant Funding
Grants to help SMEs protect their intellectual property and fund new products and prototypes. Grants of £1,000-5,000 for IP and patent costs, or for prototyping.
Innovate UK SMART Grants
Current call closes 26 May 2021. Wide ranging innovation funding opportunity, with different grant options from £25,000 to £2m depending on the length of project. Highly competitive funding.
Farming Innovation Pathways
Grants for feasibility studies or industrial research to develop new productivity, sustainability or net zero solutions for the farming sector.
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund
Two opportunities under this fund, for feasibility studies and for deployment projects, launching 8 March 2021 and closing 14 July. Important opportunities for industrial businesses keen to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Entrepreneurs Fund
Grants up to £1m for research and development projects looking at new technologies, products and processes in energy efficiency, power generation and storage.
Clean Growth Fund
A new £40m Clean Growth Fund has been launched, with funding from Government and from one of the UK’s largest charity investors, CCLA. Clean Growth Investment Management (CGIM) are managing the Fund, which makes investments into start-up companies developing clean energy solutions.
A new business accelerator and venture fund backing healthier food and drink brands which help tackle childhood obesity.
Innovation Grant Mentoring for businesses in Norfolk
Free support programme to help businesses in Norfolk apply for innovation funding.
Funding platforms
Pay it Forward from Crowdfunder
Free to use crowdfunding service, helping businesses to source financial support.
Spacehive
Funding platform for ideas that bring local places to life. Waiving their 5% fee and relaxing their criteria to help grassroots projects
Funding opportunities for charities and social enterprises
Community Action Norfolk provide guidance and support to charities and community organisations. They produce a monthly funding newsletter and can help find funding. For more information or to sign up please email office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk
Community Action Suffolk have a regularly updated resource for funding for charities and social enterprises affected by Covid 19.
Sustainable Development Fund for community and conservation projects in the Suffolk Coast and Dedham Vale AONB areas now open. Deadline 17 May 2021.
Big Society Capital Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund
An initial £25m available for 12 month interest free loans, administered by Social Investment Business for Big Society Capital, with further funding to be released in future. Deadline 31 March.
Good Finance Resource Hub for Charities and Social Enterprises
Useful listings of funding sources and funding advice for charities and social enterprises. Be aware that not all the funding sources listed may be up to date.
Advice, support and booster funding for community projects looking at community investment options.
Local funding for community projects
East Suffolk Council Covid 19 Community Funds
Grants normally up to £2,500 for community projects supporting vulnerable people during the Covid 19 pandemic.