York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Caven, Harrogate, Selby & York East Riding, Craven, Harrogate, Selby & York Business Support Finder Business Stage? Start-up Growing Business Goals? Protect IP Starting up Exporting Business Planning R&D Sales & marketing Financial Management Staff Training New Equipment New Premises Type of Support? Workshops Revenue Grant Capital Grant Skills Training Debt Equity Advice Manufacturing Growth Programme Product and Process Innovation Innovation Vouchers / R&D Grants / Low Carbon R&D Grants Skills Support for the Workforce Apprenticeships Hub Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Stimulating Innovation in the Agri-Food Intellectual Property Office Leeds City Region Skills Service Digital Enterprise Ad:venture Exporting for Growth
How s Business Most business people would love to have a few extra pennies in the bank to either help them grow or kickstart a brilliant new idea. The problem is, where do you start? The business support landscape is incredibly complex. How s Business can make it easy to find the support that businesses need to grow by providing them with answers on what support is available and point you in the right direction. We created this guide to give you an overview of some of the latest support that is available in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding. If you need some guidance around which suite of programmes are best suited for a business needs then get in touch via support@ howsbusiness.org The Manufacturing Growth Programme This is a 35% grant towards the price of consultancy fees, with an average project cost of 4,000. Through this scheme, you ll have access to expertise on a range of important subjects, such as marketing, productivity, improving systems and procedures and much more. The grant is dependent on you financing 65% of the total project cost. You can invest more of your own funds into a project but the grant would be capped at 1,400. You would need to claim the grant payment at the end of the project. This fund is aimed at manufacturers, except businesses operating in the following sectors: fishery and aquaculture, primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, coal, steel and shipbuilding and synthetic fibres. Yes, but state aid restrictions apply. Growth focused manufacturing businesses that are committed to grow their sales and create jobs based on the implementation of business improvement initiatives. This went live October 2016, and is contracted to run for 18 months in York, North Yorkshire and Easting Riding. In some regions it is scheduled to end in April 2018, whilst others will continue to April 2019. www.manufacturinggrowthprogramme.co.uk Page 1
A number of options exist to make contact. Manufacturing companies can contact the support through existing business consultants/experts/coaches or by contacting Economic Growth Solutions Ltd directly on the website above. Product and Process Innovation This scheme is innovation funding for small businesses in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding. It provides a 40% grant, up to a maximum grant value of 20k. This can only be spent on capital expenditure that enables innovation. General office equipment and consumables are ineligible for funding. The funding will need to be match funded. Businesses must be engaged with the following sectors: bioscience, digital and creative media, electronic-based, food and drink, health and social care, manufacturing using biological and chemical materials. Yes, but state aid restrictions apply. You will be asked to declare previous aid received at the Expression of Interest stage. Businesses in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding in the eligible sectors listed above. The project is live now as it launched 14th November 2016 and will end in July 2019. www.papi.org.uk You will need to complete an Expression of Interest form to outline your plans for the project. If eligible, support will then be provided by the Product and Process Innovation team to help you complete a full funding application which is assessed by a panel. If successful, the team will then prepare a contract and support you through the procurement stage. You will need to procure and purchase the equipment first and on production of evidence of purchase, you will receive the grant. Get in touch via the website above. Page 2
Innovation Vouchers/R&D Grants/Low Carbon R&D Grants This funding is to provide grant support to businesses to undertake research and to develop innovation in products, processes and services and develop new business opportunities. This is revenue funding, although a small proportion (up to 10,000) could be spent on capital, which enables you to hire experts to work on the development of innovative products, processes or services. Innovation vouchers are for up to 20,000 and the research and development grants are for up to 50,000, all of which require match funding. Businesses based in the Humber, York, North Yorkshire and East Riding area. Yes, subject to State Aid Limits. This fund is aimed at businesses in the following sectors: agri-tech, bio-renewables, food manufacture, construction, engineering, voluntary, community and social enterprise, visitor economy and health and social care, although this is not mandatory. Get in touch with support@howsbusiness.org to check whether you re eligible. The programme will launch in April/May 2017 and end August 2019. Not yet operational. Once the project goes live, you will need to work with one of the Innovation Managers to put in an application to the project. In the meantime, you can get in touch with support@howsbusiness.org if you d like to have your name added to the contact list for once the programme launches. Skills Support for the Workforce Fully funded training for small to medium-sized businesses based in the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding area, designed to help them meet their growth ambitions and develop individuals to progress in employment and fill Level 2 and Level 3+ skills gaps and shortages. Page 3
The programme can support businesses within: agriculture/agri-tech, biorenewables, food manufacture, construction, engineering, voluntary, community and social enterprise, visitor economy and health and social care. Yes, but state aid restrictions apply. Businesses based in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding area in the following sectors listed above. The programme is live now as it started November 2016 and will end July 31st 2018. www.fundingunit.org.uk/projects/yorkshire-ssw You will need to undertake a Training Needs Analysis, identifying employees suitable for intermediate level skills training to support business growth/ambitions. To do this, fill in the application on the website listed above. Yorkshire Apprenticeships Hub The Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub provides impartial advice to employers on all aspects of apprenticeships with the aim to increase the number of employees who require new knowledge and skills to undertake training which leads to apprenticeships at all levels. This schem is aimed at engineering, food manufacture, health and social care, visitor economy, agriculture, bio economy, construction, voluntary community and social enterprise, and micro-businesses from any sector. Yes, subject to State Aid Limits. York, North Yorkshire and East Riding based small and medium sized businesses who employ less than 250 staff. Page 4
The programme is live now as it launched November 2016 and will end July 31st 2018. www.yorkshireapprenticeshiphub.co.uk Contact the team on apphub@ycoastco.ac.uk or telephone 01723 356288 to arrange a team member to visit and conduct a Business Needs/Training Needs Analysis. Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund This fund is a provision of debt ( 25k to 750K) and equity ( 50k to 2m) finance for growing businesses who struggle to obtain finance in the primary finance markets. Fund managers will consider businesses on a case by case basis. Yes, subject to State Aid Limits. Businesses in the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund area who cannot obtain finance for growth in the primary market. Get in touch with support@howsbusiness. org if you re unsure about your eligibility. The programme launched February 22nd 2017 and will end in 2022, but it may be extended further. www.npif.co.uk Via the website, direct through the fund managers, or contacting support@ howsbusiness.org Stimulating Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector This scheme aims to support agri-food businesses in North, West & East Yorkshire through workshops, masterclasses and a fully funded voucher scheme. The vouchers are for 2k or 5k and can only be spent on FERA Science Ltd facilities, e.g. food testing, specialist equipment. Page 5
The support is only available to the agri-food sector. This does not include primary production. Yes, subject to State Aid Limits. Agri-food producers across the Yorkshire region. The programme is live now and will end 30th March 2019. www.agrifoodinnov.com Visit the website or email agrifoodinnov@makeityork.com Intellectual Property Office This is support to help businesses understand how intellectual property (IP) can create value from your ideas and how to inforce IP and handle legal difficulties surrounding this. This is done through online resources, such as articles, workshops and consultancy support. The Intellectual Property Office is open to all businesses - there are no restrictions on industry or business stage, but you do need to make sure you get protection within the first 12 months of your new product/process/design. There is no funding involved for this support. All businesses will be able to access this. You need to make sure you protect your business within the first 12 months of a product/process launch, but the Intellectual Property Office offer advice to help anyone with their IP. You can access the support now and there s no end point, IP will always be something Page 6
a business needs. http://ipo.gov.uk/ Drop them an email enquiries@ipo.gov.uk or give them a call 0300 300 2000. Exporting for Growth This programme is to support both first time exporters and those already exporting but looking to grow their business in international markets. Usually, grants of up to 2,000 are available, however larger grants may be available depending upon the project. The funding must be matched - on a 50/50 basis in York, Selby, Craven and Harrogate and 60/40 in East Riding. Eligible activity can include the costs of visiting the target country and in-country accommodation, entrance to exhibitions/trade fairs and shipping of any associated sample products - including cost of the stand and associated fittings booked through the exhibition s preferred supplier, and international marketing materials specifically for the target markets. The funding cannot however be used to subsidise sales of a product or service. Businesses in York, Selby, Craven, Harrogate, East Riding and Humber region that are in the manufacturing or service sectors are eligible. A key criteria is the creation of a minimum of one job per grant, as well as an increase in export sales over the lifetime of the programme (i.e. June 2019). Yes subject to overall State Aid restrictions. In North Yorkshire this includes businesses in the local authority areas of: York, Selby, Craven and Harrogate. If you re unsure about eligibilty, get in touch with us at support@howsbusiness.org The programme is available now and will end June 2019. The fund is provided by the Department for International Trade, whose website is here, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade Page 7
For more information, or to apply, contact exportingforgrowth@mobile.trade.gov.uk or call 01226 720786. Leeds City Region Skills Service This service will support small and medium sized businesses by: offering a free, comprehensive skills assessment, supporting with longer-term skills planning, sourcing the most appropriate training provision, support with a long term approach to planning training and ensuring a business is well placed to apply for future skills funding. This is aimed at those in the Leeds City Region area, which includes York, Selby, Craven and Harrogate. There is no funding involved for this support. All businesses will be able to access this if they re in an eligible location. Businesses based in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirkless, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York. The support is available now and currently doesn t have an end date. www.the-lep.com/skillsservice To discuss the skills planning support available, contact the skills service team on: 0113 386 1910 or email skills@the-lep.com Digital Enterprise This scheme aims to help businesses to develop their digital capacity and increase their overall performance (competitiveness, productivity and profitability). You ll be able to apply for grants of 40% for eligible digital investment projects. Grant values will be subject to a minimum of 1k and maximum of 10k. This programme will also provide 1 to 1 advice sessions, web and social media reviews and a programme of workshops. Page 8
This scheme is available to the 9 local authorities in the Leeds City Region area, including Harrogate, York, Selby and Craven. If you re unsure about eligibility, you can check online here, www.digitalenterprise.co.uk/eligibility-checker/ Yes, but state aid restrictions apply. Businesses based in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirkless, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York. The voucher programme started January 2017, whilst the programme of workshops and mentoring support is expected to start in Spring 2017. www.digitalenterprise.co.uk Email vouchers.de@leeds.gov.uk for voucher applications. AD:VENTURE This scheme offers a range of support for young and new businesses who have strong growth ambitions. This includes a full business start-up programme, with assistance in those early set up stages and business planning, access to a dedicated business advisor to guide your growth journey and to help you develop your business plan, workshops in topics such as HR, strategy, cash flow forecasting, branding, marketing, innovation and research and development, and business incubation space. There will also be a 40% grant for capital and revenue purchases, available for up to 20k, which will need to be match funded. You are eligible as long as your business has been trading for under 3 years and you re based within Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield or York. Sector exclusions apply to primary agriculture, banking and financial services, activities related to education or social care, and those sectors trading directly with consumers (e.g. retail and hospitality). Yes, subject to State Aid Limits. Page 9
Businesses who have strong growth ambitions and are based in the Leeds City Region area. The support is available now. www.the-lep.com/for-business/business-start-ups/ad-venture/ To register your interest in AD:VENTURE call 0845 524 0210 or email support@adventure.org.uk. If you need further support then get in touch with us at How s Business via support@howsbusiness.org Page 10