Coronavirus (Covid-19). We urge all residents and businesses to follow advice from UK Health Security Agency. Find all the latest information and advice on our dedicated Coronavirus Community & Business Support page and recent information about Grants & Funding here.
Business Support
Business Support and Advice
Coast to Capital
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.
The Business Hothouse
The Business Hothouse offers free support to pre-start and established businesses in the Coast-to-Capital area. From workshops to grant funding, they provide the expert guidance to get your business growing. Visit the website for further information. The Business Hothouse.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers: National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months and associated employer National Insurance contributions. Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
Innovate UK EDGE
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 Business & Intellectual Property Centre
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
LoCase (Low Carbon Across the South East)
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/.
Research & Innovation Sussex Excellence (RISE)
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.
Through the RISE project, the Universities of Brighton and Sussex are offering free business innovation support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in West 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.
The two-year project, Research, Innovation in Sussex Excellence (RISE), has been awarded funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), West Sussex County Council, and the seven West Sussex district and borough councils, to stimulate innovation-led growth, by providing targeted and intensive support for businesses.
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)
Recover & Rise SME Digital Accelerator Programme
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.
Last updated: 03 September 2021
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