Business Support
Business Support and Advice
Research & Innovation Sussex Excellence (RISE) is a new business innovation project to help West Sussex enterprises innovate using expertise from the universities of Brighton and Sussex.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be given access to expertise to support their business innovation. Support will be given in the form of innovation diagnostics, workshops and a bespoke development programme to help companies take their business in new directions.
Eligible businesses will work with business Innovation Advisors to identify bespoke business needs and opportunities – identifying and removing barriers to innovation.
RISE - Research and Development Funding Support
Up to £7,500 no match funding for Research & Development support on innovation projects for SMEs
From Brighton & Sussex Universities through RISE (part-funded by West Sussex Districts & Boroughs)
Projects could include feasibility study, research, technology road maps, proof of concept, prototypes
Find out more at rise-innovation.uk or contact Lorraine Bell, Head of Project (RISE) at RISE@brighton.ac.uk.
Research & Innovation Sussex Excellence (RISE)
The Invest4 Grant Fund has been created to help new businesses to start-up, and to help growing businesses to grow more quickly.
Open to most business owners and start-up founders who are based in the coast-to-capital area and over 90% of those who apply are given a cash award.
Grants of between £1,500 and £170,000 are awarded - the average award is £14,500.
Match funded, the Invest4 Fund will pay 40% of the project cost
https://www.chi.ac.uk/collaborate/business-hothouse/invest4-grant-funding/
Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is one of 38 local business led partnerships nationwide between local authorities and businesses driving economic growth and the creation of local jobs. The Coast to Capital Growth Hub provides free and impartial government funded business support, including one to one support from specialist growth advisors and Brexit transition advisors.
Bespoke services to help ambitious, innovative SMEs scale and grow. 5-7 days of bespoke fully-funded support for; Innovative and ambitious SMEs who want to grow their business in the UK and Globally.
West Sussex has been adopted into the Arts Council funded British Library Business & IP Centre National Network. They run webinars, including Reset. Restart programme offering support to SMEs across the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
British Library Business & IP Centre
Brighton and Hove City Libraries is developing a Business & IP Centre (BIPC), which will be part of the British Library Business & IP Centre National Network.
Brighton & Hove City Libraries - Help Start, Protect and Grow Business
Support for Low Carbon and Environmental Goods & Services (LCEGS) SMEs to adopt and develop eco-innovative and low carbon solutions to improve business.
Grants of up to £10,000 for energy efficiency and low carbon product/service development.
Businesses can obtain further help, advice and register their interest by contacting the University of Brighton's Green Growth Platform https://www.clean-growth.uk/locase/.
They are also running a series of free workshops on energy efficiency and renewables for local SMEs further details here https://www.clean-growth.uk/events/.
FREE Digital Support for Small to Medium Sized Businesses
The Recover & Rise SME Digital Accelerator programme is a four-part series comprising more than 25 FREE online workshops designed to encourage and support West Sussex businesses in their digital adoption journeys.
This is a programme of free support being delivered in partnership by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex district and borough councils.
The programme is now live with online sessions starting September 2021.
To sign up and for further details of the programme visit:
Business and Membership Organisations
Mid Sussex benefits from the support of various business associations and organisations providing business support, networking opportunities and a wide range of events.
Useful Resources and Tools
Modern Slavery Toolkit
Modern Slavery toolkit for Small, Medium Enterprises / Businesses Toolkit. The toolkit is the first of its kind, being both free and specifically created for SMEs in consultation with business experts. The toolkit includes key features such as a simple risk self-assessment, practical steps to protect employees, and clear guidance on how to report modern slavery concerns.
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