Update on SEMLEP’s Growth Hub Business Grants
Date Added: 02/09/2020
A new government support package was recently announced to help small and medium sized businesses recover from the financial impact of COVID-19.
SEMLEP’s Growth Hub will be responsible for allocating these grants in the Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes area.
Small grants, up to a maximum of £5,000 will be available, although most grants will typically be in the range of between £1,000 and £3,000 – including an allocation of grants in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The purpose of these grants is to help businesses who have been affected by COVID19 to deal with that initial impact and access specialist professional advice to help rebuild and recover. Funding can also be used to purchase minor equipment or adopt new technology to continue delivery and diversify in response to the pandemic.
There will be approximately 200 grants available in the SEMLEP area and initial demand has been high, with more than 500 businesses already signing up for more information since the funding was first announced.
The process is as follows:
• w/c 24thAugust – the eligibility guidance for the grants, including a set of Frequently Asked Questions, will be released on the SEMLEP Growth Hub website. Newsletter subscribers will be notified once this is live.
• w/c 31stAugust – the application form will be published on the Growth Hub website to enable interested companies to gather any additional information together
• w/c 14thSeptember – the application process will open, allowing interested companies to submit their completed application forms online. Application window will close on Monday 21st
• w/c 28thSeptember – successful applicants will be notified, and grant offer letters issued
Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Grants are awarded on a discretionary basis and are subject to eligibility checks and approval.
To receive updates on the grant funding directly to your inbox, please sign up for the SEMLEP's Growth Hub newsletter.
Join a Peer Network to develop your business
SEMLEP are also launching ‘Peer Networks’ this Autumn. This new programme, designed exclusively for ambitious SMEs, will see diverse cohorts of individuals from companies across the South East Midlands team up to collaboratively work through common business issues and develop a plan for your organisation to build for future success.
You can register your interest in the Peer Networks programme by filling in the enquiry form. A representative of SEMLEP’s Growth Hub will be in touch to let you know when the programme is open and cohorts are scheduled.
Webinars from SEMLEP Growth Hub
How to build a resilient team
Talk about the support available to help you navigate difficult staffing decisions now and in the future.
11 AM - 12 PM: Thursday 17 September 2020
Business support for ambitious leaders, in partnership with Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes Chambers of Commerce
Advice, guidance, leadership skills and grant funding to set your business on track for attainable long-term growth
2 PM - 3 PM: Thursday 24 September 2020
Creative England launch the New Ideas Fund
Creative England are offering grants between £1000 and £25,000 through their New Ideas Fund to support the development of new and innovative ideas that have the potential to impact your entrepreneurial journey and grow your business. The fund is for screen based storytelling entrepreneurs and businesses in the English regions including film, television, animation, games, immersive media or tech that supports these industries. Find out more on our website.
Could you be an Enterprise Adviser
In response to Covid-19, we need now more than ever to ensure the continued development of the talent pipeline in schools and colleges through employer engagement, ensuring our local young people have the skills, attitudes and behaviours sought by employers.
At times of economic downturns, the youngest are hit the hardest. The new ways of working adopted by schools and colleges provides us, the business community, with an opportunity to help make a difference and strengthen the influence of local business leaders and managers.
SEMLEP invite you and like-minded experienced people within your networks, to join with us as Enterprise Advisers. SEMLEP host local clusters of influencers and schools/colleges once a term, helping support Careers Leaders in education by informing about employer’s needs, the labour market, promoting employer engagement and offering strategic guidance aiming for relevant, high impact provision.
To narrow the skills gap and help make a difference, to join them click here.