MrsDLewis #FundingFriday

Matt is a conservation professional with nearly 20 years experience in the heritage sector, including a background in local authority conservation, town centre regeneration, grant funding and the charitable sector. Matt currently works as conservation officer for North Kesteven district council providing specialist advice on heritage and conservation matters and managing the delivery of third party grant schemes for commercial and domestic properties. Matt is also chair of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation East Midlands Branch. Under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), grants are now available to owners and occupiers of commercial properties within Sleaford town centre. The purpose of the grant scheme is to help reverse the decline and enhance the historic environment in Sleaford conservation area through offering funding towards targeted repairs, reinstatement and replacements of shopfronts. The scheme will focus on reinstating lost or damaged features of historic properties, with a particular emphasis on reinstating traditional shop fronts where modern frontages have been installed. However, grants are available for a wide range of works and can extend to other elements of building frontages, including on upper levels, such as the repair and replacement of windows and doors, roof repairs, repairs/renewal of leadwork, repair or replacement of rainwater goods, structural and non-structural repairs to external walls, brickwork/stonework cleaning, repair or replacement of external features such as masonry and repainting. Grants can also be used towards repaired or replaced shopfront fascias and signage in line with the Sleaford Shopfront Design Guide. Where to find out more; https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning-building/planning/conservation-heritage/sleaford-shopfront-grant-scheme  

As Rural Business Development Manager, Will Dallimore is the first point of contact for rural businesses wanting advice, support and funding. Will says: “Whatever your question, challenge, opportunity or experience is as a rural business, I am here to help and highlight the support available to you. “This includes information on funding programmes such as the Farm Transformation Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund. Don’t hesitate to contact me at William.Dallimore@ngagesolutions.co.uk or on 01494 927167 This project is part-funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.  Will specialises in rural business support and funding programmes. He has an in depth knowledge of diversification with a particular interest in sustainable land management, food production and processing.

Vicky's back to talk about the latest grant funding available for those in the SEMLEP region. Digital Future First advisors like Vicky connect businesses in the South East Midlands area with free access to digital consultancy, Government Business incentives and a range of funded training provision.  They connect to inspire and inform SME businesses about digital growth and training opportunities. All partners in the project are equal opportunities employers. To connect with Vicky or to find out more: vicky.clark@digitalfuturefirst.co.uk

Vicky Clark senior business advisor at Digital Future First joins me to discuss SEMSUP (South East Midlands Start-Up Programme) led by Wenta. This project focuses on social enterprises and startups across the South East Midlands region with match funding between £1k-£3k to grow your business in a digital future. For applications or enquiries please contact vicky.clark@digitalfuturefirst.co.uk 

Sim is a Business Growth Advisor at Warwickshire County Council and delivers a number of grant schemes available to businesses in the county including capital, green and digital creative funds.  Sim also delivers an access-to-finance support programme assisting SMEs that are seeking debt, grant and alternative finance from both local authority and private sector sources. For more information or to connect please email: simeonlee@warwickshire.gov.uk

Rachel Hayward is the owner and lead consultant of Ask the Chameleon, a multiple award-winning consultancy committed to supporting SME’s and charities to increase turnover, gain recognition and exposure through writing winning bids, contracts, tenders and business awards. The company has secured £38m in funding for clients since 2015 and many prestigious awards including the Queens Awards. The company has won awards in its own right, including British Business Awards Micro Business of the Year 2022, Female Entrepreneur of the Year – East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women 2021, DerbyshireLive Professional Services Company of the Year 2021, and Federation of Small Businesses Micro Business 2020. Ineligible for Covid19 business support, Rachel co-created the Swap Shop during the pandemic with Huub and think3, to help small businesses and charities swap skills with each other to survive during lockdown.  With over 1100 members, it has now evolved into the hookup for the post-Covid business world. Rachel is a mentor on the Help to Grow programme for the University of Nottingham, a mentor for student entrepreneurs for the University of Derby, the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire Area Lead for the FSB and a small business representative on the D2N2 LEP Business Advisory Group. She is also Chair of Annabel’s Angels, a volunteer-led charitable trust supporting families undergoing treatment for cancer, and an Associate Lecturer in the Business School at the University of Derby. The link to the tender ebulletin is on her website https://www.askthechameleon.co.uk/sign-up-for-our-tender-alerts/

The Supplier Skills Programme is open for business; Are you looking to develop your future Business Leaders and grow your business by upskilling your workforce? Training grants of up to a maximum of £50,000 per SME are available and training will be funded 50% by the SME and 50% by the European Social Fund grant. The £4m SSP has launched and is open for applications. SSP operates on a funding round basis, with rounds being held every quarter until programme closure in December 2023 (subject to availability of grant funding). Complete your application form now to be considered. SSP training grants support a wide range of qualifications and offer a flexible opportunity for you to implement your skills plans. SSP provides support for business confidence and enable SMEs to recover during the challenging economic period following the impact of COVID-19. SSP enables businesses to develop a ladder of progression for existing employees by increasing their skill levels and creating new opportunities for other employees. Part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by Birmingham City Council (BCC), SSP is aimed at existing Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) seeking to upskill new and existing employees. SSP responds directly to the skills and training needs identified by SMEs for their employees, thereby offering SMEs what they want and at the time they need It, to implement their skills and growth plans. The programme is open for application to all business sectors, including 3rd sector SMEs and social enterprises based in the “more developed” areas of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area. All training must be accredited by the Ofqual Framework otherwise it must be recognised by industry and professional accrediting bodies. The grant will enable employees to achieve any of the following: Full qualifications from Basic to Level 7, or equivalent (including higher level management and leadership skills) Licence based qualification including HHGV, Food and Hygiene and Construction Tickets including Health and Safety CSCS etc. Units or a unit of qualification at Basic level Want to learn more? Link to the Cranfield online briefing - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sme-briefing-event-for-growing-businesses-greater-birmingham-and-solihull-tickets-465077658797For further information please contact Leslie Dunkwu, Business Development Advisor, Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship Email: l.n.dunkwu@cranfield.ac.uk

This episode focusses on the RTO Catapult grant. Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s deep investment in the pioneering businesses that drive economic growth. It is a publicly-funded, business support service available to all high potential small to medium sized innovation-driven companies, including Innovate UK grant winners. Innovative, ambitious businesses can benefit from the facilities and expertise provided by Catapults and Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs) through Innovate UK EDGE. RTOs are specialised not-for-profit knowledge organisations dedicated to the development and transfer of science and technology to the benefit of the economy and society. They include hubs, laboratories, test beds, factories and offices for cutting edge R&D. The Catapult network of technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK supports businesses to transform great ideas into valuable products and services. Innovate UK Edge can offer applicants with a suitable project a grant for 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of £15,000. Businesses that are looking to grow & scale through innovation can use this grant funding to access Catapults and RTOs to: Explore and test new product ideas Seek technical expertise and specialist sector knowledge Gain advice on regulatory and government processes as well as access networks of customers, services and funders Receive sector-specific expert advice and support with market analysis; cost modelling; business‐case support; creation of industry‐relevant R&D project plans Identify opportunities for R&D, collaboration, and partnership building Receive support to commercialise their innovation, including improving efficiency, making their business operations more sustainable, or investigating market gaps. want more info? https://www.innovateukedge.ukri.org/

The Black Business Fund – set up by Uber Eats in collaboration with Be Inclusive Hospitality and Enterprise Nation – saw £50,000 distributed to 10 small Black-owned businesses across the country that had been affected by the pandemic last year.  Over 150 restaurants applied to the fund in 2021, with the winners representing a cross-section of the most innovative and exciting Black-owned restaurants in the country. The 10 winners each received a £5,000 grant, along with dedicated mentoring from Be Inclusive Hospitality. This year is back and they've invested FIVE TIMES the amount; a total of £250,000 to go to twenty-five small Black-owned businesses. At least half of the grants will go to small businesses outside of London. Black-owned restaurants with fewer than five locations can now apply to the Uber Eats Black Business Fund with applications opening closing on November 25th. As well as funding to help grow their businesses, restaurants will receive special mentoring from Enterprise Nation. You need to act fast; applications close next week! https://www.enterprisenation.com/uber/black-business-fund/

Go Car Charge believes going green and being more environmentally aware can be built into our every day lives and as more and more electric vehicles (EVs) are available they are proud to be certified to install electric car chargepoints. They have been accredited by OLEV/OZEV to supply and install EV charging points at your home or for businesses of any size in Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, London, Warwickshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire. BUT they can also help you access the governments workplace grant regardless of where you are based in the UK. https://gocarcharge.co.uk/

Part of a National team responsible for the delivery of the Government’s £200m Business Growth Service / Growth Accelerator which supported 26,000 of England’s brightest businesses achieve their ambition and growth potential. Gary's specialism is working with companies to identify their barriers to growth and how to overcome them, tackling problems such as: securing finance, commercialising innovation, developing leadership skills and Increasing Management capability. During a career spanning over 30 years, Gary has held senior roles within professional membership organisations, awarding bodies and International blue-chip firms including City & Guilds, the Chartered Management Institute, the Engineering Employers Federation, and Ernst & Young. In the past decade Gary focused upon advising clients on tax incentives to support innovation including R&D and Patent Box tax relief as well as providing information and advice to SMEs on the Innovation lifecycle, from initial concept through to R&D, Prototyping, creating an MVP and commercialisation taking into consideration access to grant funding as well as private investment utilising tax incentives such as EIS and SEIS. Gary's current role within the Growth Works programme includes helping founders to plan their approach to raising investment, providing one-to-one and group pitch coaching and development sessions, affecting introductions to private investors and investment groups as well as creating a network of entrepreneurs who have experience of successfully raising investment and are keen to share their insights and knowledge with others. If you would like more information about the grants mentioned here go to https://www.growthworks.uk/get-started-with-gary/

Katrina D'Souza is the Business Engagement & Marketing Manager at The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough who provide free and low-cost business support and advice to start up business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors like you. BIPC Jumpstart is back and it's better!  Earlier this year they gave away £20K in grants to four new businesses based in Cambridgeshire. Don’t worry if you missed out, BIPC Jumpstart is back and ready to help you jumpstart your business! BIPC Jumpstart consists of three main parts. BIPC Jumpstart Grants - Check if you’re eligible Support Programme - Open to all Trade Mark Grants - Check if you’re eligible need to know more? https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/business-intellectual-property-centre-cambridgeshire

Low Carbon Workspaces match-funded grants of between £1,000 - £5,000 for businesses in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes What’s good for the planet, is good for business, so if you’re planning on investing in a project which will cut carbon emissions, save money and minimise waste Low Carbon Workspaces is here to help. Contact Dan and the team at info@lowcarbonworkspaces.co.uk or call 01494 927131 or visit the website www.lowcarbonworkspaces.co.uk  

Nick Gardner is Head of Climate Action at The National Lottery Community Fund, he joins us to talk about the Climate Action Fund but also the raft of other grant funding available UK-wide from the National Lottery Fund providers for Community and voluntary organisations, charities, public sector and those working in partnerships Climate Action Fund aims to help communities across the UK to address climate change leveraging up to £1.5 million over 2 to 5 years, with most projects between £300,000 and £500,000. Development grants of £50,000 to £150,000 over 12 to 18 months. They're looking for projects that focus on the link between nature and climate. They want to fund projects that use nature to encourage more community-led climate action. We expect these projects to bring other important social and economic benefits. Like the creation of strong, resilient and healthy communities or the development of ‘green’ skills and jobs. Eligible projects can do at least one of the following: show how creating a deeper connection with nature will lead to changing people’s behaviours and greater care for the environment show how by bringing nature back into the places we live and work, we can help communities to reduce or adapt to the impacts of climate change. For more information · FUNDING PAGE: (direct link, with eligibility details and application criteria): https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/climate-action-fund-programme · BLOG: Nature and Climate: Putting communities first to take climate action: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/key-initiatives/climate-action-hub/stories#item-4 · Online (virtual) information events about the fund are on the following dates: 23 August 2022 – 12-1pm 23 August 2022 – 5-6pm 27 September 2022 – 12-1pm · email us to register on ClimateActionFund@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Davies Okeowo is an Access to Finance Account Manager at the GBSLEP Growth Hub where he provides investment readiness support to local businesses who are looking to raise funding. Leveraging his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, his background in accounting and enterprise development, as well as his expertise in pitch deck development, business strategy, financial modelling, consulting, and public speaking, Davies helps businesses achieve their growth objectives in line with the GBSLEP’s mission. Here is the Link to learn more and apply for the Clean Growth Grant: https://www.gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk/sustainability/clean-growth-grant Businesses who would like to reach out can either use the “Contact Us” form on the page or send Davies a direct email at davies.okeowo@gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk Here is the link for the Coventry University Proof of Concept Fund ENDING THIS WEEK: https://www.cuebusinesssolutions.com/portfolio-item/proof-of-concept-2/. Businesses who need further support on this should send an email to Ediordieva@cusltd.co.uk

Dan is the Climate Change Programme Manager at Buckinghamshire Business First (including the Low Carbon Workspaces programme) and he's joining us to tell you how you can get £250 for your micro, small or medium sized business if its based in Buckinghamshire. The fund is easy to access and they can even help you fill in the application form.

Sam Hunter is the Partnerships & Events Manager at the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership referred to as SEMLEP. SEMLEP cover Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and boroughs and districts of Northampton, Kettering, Corby, South Northamptonshire and Daventry. For more information about SEMLEP grants and the other great support that they provide please see their website: https://www.semlepgrowthhub.com

Nicola is a Technology Manager at the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and is currently helping to deliver one of the last ERDF funding streams in partnership with the University of Nottingham called “Aerospace UP”. The programme provides matched funding grants for innovation as well as free technical support packages on a variety of subjects. The Aerospace UP programme grants can provide support to SMEs in the Midlands who wish to innovate either products, services or processes in the Aerospace sector – this can cover anything from the traditional Civil Aerospace and Aviation Infrastructure supply chains, but also emerging markets in Advanced Air Mobility, Space and Zero Emissions Technologies. We pride ourselves on a programme that is low in admin overhead for SMEs, with simple forms and plenty of support from us to prepare (we know how little time SMEs have for admin) and we have a fast-track grant application process – when needed we have brought projects from Expression of Interest to Full Grant Approval in 2 weeks! The first step is enrolment – which is essentially an eligibility check – and gives SMEs access immediately to our free events and support. We still have some money left in the pot in a number of Midlands LEPs which needs to be spent by June 2023, so we are reaching out now to SMEs in other sectors whose technologies could be applied to Aerospace – equally we can support Aerospace Supply Chain SMEs who wish to diversify out of Aerospace. www.aerospaceup.com Nicola.deards@midlandsaerospace.org.uk

As a Medilink Midlands Innovation Advisor Teresa provides dedicated and professional business support and guidance for both early stage and mature innovation development in medical/MedTech and health related fields. This includes advice around the direction of specific innovations and providing a link to the NHS both directly and through the AHSN (academic health science network).  Following Brexit, Teresa's current main area of responsibility is assisting small and medium companies to access the remaining ERDF (European regional development fund) grant funding for innovations in the MedTech and Health and wellbeing areas. Although Medilink Midlands provides support across the whole midlands’ region, grant funding is focused on companies located in the East Midlands regions, from Lincoln down to Luton, and will be completed by end of June 2023, so fact fast! Don't switch off if you are not a Medtech/Healthtech business, there are many innovative ways your business can leverage Medilink funding pots- improved wellbeing or mental health of your team, customers, and even animals! There's no charge to discover if you are eligible, so get in touch with Teresa for a consultation. If you do meet the criteria, the team will even help you with the form filling! Teresa@medilinkmidlands.com