Help to Grow
The UK Government has launched two new business support programmes, Help to Grow: Management and Help to Grow: Digital.
Help to Grow: Management
With Help to Grow: Management, small businesses will be able to access a 12 week-programme delivered by leading business schools across the UK, accredited by the Small Business Charter. The programme will combine a practical curriculum, with 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network.
The programme will support small business leaders to develop their strategic skills with key modules covering financial management, innovation and digital adoption. By the end of the programme participants will develop a tailored business growth plan to lead their business to its full potential.
30,000 places will be available over 3 years. The programme is 90% subsidised by government – participants will be charged £750.
Help to Grow: Digital
Help to Grow: Digital gives you access to free online advice and money off software that could help you save time and cut costs.
From autumn 2021, small businesses will be able to get free impartial advice on how technology can boost their performance through a new online platform.
Eligible businesses will also be able to get a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000. Vouchers are initially expected to be available for software that helps businesses:
- build customer relationships and increase sales
- make the most of selling online
- manage their accounts and finances digitally
Read more at https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/.
Internationalisation Fund
The Department for International Trade’s Internationalisation Fund awards match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 for internationalisation activities to companies based in England (subject to eligibility and availability).
To secure a grant, you’ll need to fund a proportion of your costs yourself. This varies according to where your business is based and will be either 40 or 50% of the total cost.
The fund can be used to support areas including (but not exclusively limited to):
- Market research
- IP (intellectual property) advice
- Translation services
- International social media/SEO
- Trade fairs (where no TAP funding is available)
- Independent market visits
- Consultancy and other international commercial services
Is your business eligible?
- The company must be based in England
- The company must be a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) with up to 250 employees
- No more than 25% of the business is owned by an enterprise which is not a SME
- Annual turnover does not exceed €50 million or annual balance sheet does not exceed €43 million
Read more at https://www.great.gov.uk/campaigns/internationalisation-fund-for-english-businesses/.
For information about Internationalisation Funds outside of England, contact your local DIT trade office: https://www.great.gov.uk/contact/office-finder/.
