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Money and support for your business.

Our services

Our free business support programme is designed so that the guidance, skills development and support you receive is tailored to your business growth ambition and potential. Our team of experts will work alongside you to identify the critical steps to successfully develop your business in East Sussex.

This programme is fully-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, East Sussex County Council and the districts and borough councils of East Sussex, offering a market value of up to £5,000 worth of specialist support. We have direct access to grants and loans to help companies to start, grow or relocate to East Sussex. Our approach is simple. It’s based on your goals and aspirations and because we are fully funded, completely free of charge.

911 jobs were created in past five years through East Sussex Invest

In this section

Starting your business

Whatever business you're in, our team will support you to get your new venture off the ground. Contact us now and let's start the conversation.

Our team works in partnership with other organisations involved in helping to grow the local economy. We'll put together a package that includes and not limited to:

  • A dedicated business manager and assistance to develop a business plan
  • Specialist industry support
  • Help to identify your goals and challenges and a strategy to meet them
  • Help to access funding, including a start-up loan
  • Assistance to find the right location and workspace, however large or small
  • Access to training and events including financial planning for creative entrepreneurs
  • Valuable introductions and connections to local authority planning teams, and much more

Support for social enterprises

A social enterprise re-invests its profits in supporting a particular community or cause through a sustainable business model.

Social entrepreneurs and enterprises make a major contribution to the south-east economy. If you have a business idea that has a social purpose and at least 50% of your income is generated through trading, we can provide 12 hours of free business support.

We can also help you to find the right workspace and provide valuable links and connections to potential funders, research partners, supply chains and other contacts. 

Social_enterprises

Tailored Support to grow

Our free programme is designed so that the guidance, skills development and support you receive is tailored to your business growth ambition and potential.

Our support starts with an initial meeting with one of our business managers to help develop an action plan for growth. Contact us to start the conversation.

Our tailored business growth package including and not limited to:

  • Assistance to identify and prioritise your business aspirations
  • Discussions on areas of focus or concern you need support with
  • Practical advice on how to manage risks and protect your business
  • Exploration of a range of options to best suit your needs
  • Discussion on the best way we can help and support you and your business in the future
  • Help to access grants and loans and to get investor ready
  • Business coaching, events and training

Innovation support

Every company can be innovative with the right techniques and resources. We can help companies to enhance their existing offer or to develop new products and services by accessing funding to bring ideas to market.

We help provide access to creative networks and support R&D in all industries to help companies achieve their aims and gain a competitive advantage. Our aim is to help local companies develop and grow to their maximum potential and will work with you to identify any needs that specialist expertise might address and then connect you with our local and national partners including our two world-renowned universities.

Export

One way to grow business is through export. We support companies that want to start exporting to break into new markets. We can advise and help you to access funding and inks to experienced partners including the DIT and Chambers of Commerce, who offer support to companies looking overseas to do more business.

Read about how we supported Focus SB to claim the UK first for their industry and sign an export deal with China 
 

Find out what funding is available for your business.

Relocate your business

Whether you are a business based in East Sussex looking to expand or a business looking to relocate into the county, our dedicated team can work with you from the outset, discussing your plans and helping you find the information you need to drive your business forward.

No one understands East Sussex better than our highly experienced team and partners. Using our knowledge and networks, we are able to assist your relocation. You'll have your own business manager to draw together the expertise you need to help with planning, property and funding advice. We aim to make your move as seamless as possible, providing ongoing support prior to and once you've moved to the area.

Inward investment service

As well as enabling companies within East Sussex to grow, we support companies looking to move to East Sussex and international investors looking to access the UK market.

Offering a skilled workforce, low operating costs, access to R&D contacts and economic development funding, East Sussex has all the ingredients for business success. Our team can help with finding premises, access to finance and grants, links to industry experts, academic partners and aftercare.

To find out more visit our Invest in East Sussex page or contact us.

Useful links

Set up a business Growing your business Innovate UK Get in touch
Call us on 0300 343 5749 Lines are open: 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.

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