Business Support
Grants and Funding
The Council has subscribed to a user-friendly, accurate and professional funding tool which has helped businesses to facilitate the securing of thousands of pounds’ worth of support. Complete the form and the council will complete a search for you and inform you of any suitable grants.
Register your interest in the Create Growth Programme
Creative businesses in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Rutland and Lincolnshire will benefit from £1.3m of new funding as part of the new Create Growth programme.
The programme is set to offer each business nine months of business support via a combination of targeted workshops and expert mentoring for investment readiness.
The programme is due to start in spring 2023 and will run until 2025. Applications will open in January 2023.
Energy for Business - University of Nottingham
Funding is available through the Energy for Business scheme, with grants of up to £10k on offer to successful applicants. The capital grant, delivered by the Energy Innovation and Collaboration team through 'Energy for Business', is for businesses who wish to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions or who are implementing sustainable energy technologies.
Go Green - Food and Drink Forum
The Food & Drink Forum is currently offering a fully funded opportunity for small businesses within Leicester City and Leicestershire County to delve deep into what changes can be realistically made across your business, to reduce your environmental impact.
The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity - Business Loan
Eligible candidates may borrow up to £20,000 interest free for 9 years to establish themselves in their chosen career/business. To be eligible for consideration for a personal loan for business purposes you must be:
- over 18 and under 45 years of age;
- resident in Leicestershire or Rutland and wanting to start a business or require additional funds for growth / expansion;
- going to base or are already running the business in Leicestershire or Rutland;
- have liquid assets of less than £40,000
Visit the website for the full eligibility criteria.
The Harry James Riddleston Charity - Business Loan
The Harry James Riddleston Charity offers loans of up to £10,000 interest free for between 5 and 10 years to start or expand their own business, or for vocational advancement. To be eligible for consideration you must be over 18 and under 45 years of age.
Are you a high growth business looking to invest in new technologies to propel your business? Is your business facing barriers to growth due to a lack of understanding of new technologies? If so then the Digital Upscaler project is perfect for you. Grants from £10,000 to £50,000 are available.
Qualifying Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based in Leicester and Leicestershire interested in developing new products, services and processes with the University can potentially access free or heavily-subsidised innovation support. Funding includes Innovation Vouchers of up to £4,000, redeemable only within the University of Leicester.
The University of Derby's Invest to Grow programme provides grants and loans of between £15,000 and £250,000 to support private-sector businesses across the East Midlands to innovate, grow and create jobs.
The iNet - Loughborough University
The iNet team at Loughborough University can support external capital and revenue costs associated with product development, innovation and growth projects.
Manufacturing Growth Programme
This funded growth programme can provide free advice, support and help to source potential grants to help manufacturing businesses grow.
The Government’s £730 million Growing Places Fund loan scheme supports key infrastructure projects designed to unlock wider economic growth, create jobs and build houses.
Innovate UK aims to accelerate growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Grant funding competitions are open which can help you develop an idea and make it successful.
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund: for research and innovation
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund aims to bring together the UK’s world-leading research with business to meet the major industrial and societal challenges of our time. This is part of government’s £4.7 billion investment in R&D over 4 years.
Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF)
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund aims to transform the finance landscape for smaller businesses in the Midlands and to realise the region’s potential to achieve economic growth through enterprise.
Search for more available grants or email the team on business@harborough.gov.uk for further advice.