Business Support & Incentives.

We recognise the diverse and broad business types in the area and provide multiple approaches to support them. Offering business support services, providing advice and guidance to entrepreneurs, startups, and existing businesses on various aspects of business planning, development, growth, funding and grants.

We offer information and assistance for businesses seeking funding, grants, and financial incentives through government schemes, local initiatives, and funding programs to support business growth and investment. We provide support and guidance for businesses seeking suitable premises, commercial properties, and business locations in Ipswich, offering information on available properties, rental options, and development opportunities.

Navigating regulatory requirements can be challenging. We will assist businesses with licensing procedures and compliance obligations, providing guidance on local regulations, permits, and approvals necessary for operating a business in Ipswich.

Skilled Workforce.

Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, serves as a vibrant economic hub with a diverse and dynamic workforce, home to a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. The town boasts professionals across various sectors, including technology, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Institutions such as the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College, along with other educational provisions, ensure a continuous supply of qualified individuals to meet the needs of local businesses.

Ipswich supports numerous skills development initiatives aimed at upskilling the local workforce and addressing skill gaps in key industries. This creates investment opportunities in training centres, professional development programs, and workforce training partnerships. Educational institutions in Ipswich collaborate with industry partners to develop curriculum, provide work placements, and offer practical training opportunities.

For more details and to explore these opportunities further, please visit our website or contact our support team directly.

Business Support.

New Anglia Growth Hub

Whether you’re an established business or considering starting a new venture in Ipswich, the New Anglia Growth Hub is your go-to place for expert advice. To get in touch, simply call 0300 333 6536 or fill out the contact form. The Growth Hub advisors can guide you through available support programs and funding opportunities. They can also assist you in developing business plans, and connecting you to networks, funding, and training opportunities.

New Anglia Growth Hub

For further support, including starting, growing, or exporting your business, visit the Help to Grow website. This resource offers comprehensive guidance on setting up a business, expanding it, and starting international trade.

New Anglia Growth Hub

If your business is experiencing rapid growth, consider applying for the High Growth Network Programme. This 12-week program provides a tailored action plan to help grow your business over the next 12 months and connects you with other rapidly growing companies.

Start, Build, Grow

If you are thinking of starting a business, are in the process of starting a business or have recently started a business venture and are based in Ipswich you are eligible for the https://startbuildgrow.co.uk/

Suffolk Business Grant Scheme

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Suffolk Business Grant Scheme is delivered by Ipswich Borough Council, Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and West Suffolk Council.

Creative Industries

If you’re in the creative sector, you can apply for the Creative East – Create Growth Programme.

Climate Change Business Support.

Ipswich is committed to sustainability, offering investment opportunities in wind power, solar energy, and clean technologies. Ipswich is poised to harness renewable resources. By embracing renewables, Ipswich advances environmental goals while stimulating economic growth, positioning itself as a leader in sustainability.

Do you need help with building your business resilience to support the climate change demand. You can access a huge range of net zero business support if you need advice or help in adapting your business.

This includes but is not limited to the following schemes, more details of which can be found on the Carbon Charter website:

It is worth visiting the UK Business Climate Hub. The Hub is a collaboration between the UK Government, businesses and business groups across the UK. The Hub is the UK partner of the SME Climate Hub, the global initiative which empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to take climate action.

Further Support

The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership also has the Business Transition to Net Zero grant.  Is your business in Norfolk or Suffolk? Do you have ambitions to reduce your carbon footprint and increase productivity? Grants between £25k and £100k are available, with a maximum intervention rate of 20% of the cost of your development.

Clean Growth UK is a pioneering university-based network of forward-thinking green businesses. They can help you to drive your net zero mission, all free or heavily subsidised.

More information about Suffolk’s Greenest County ambition can be found on the Green Suffolk website.

Start your net zero journey by becoming Carbon Charter accredited and learn how to become Carbon Charter accredited through the Carbon Charter website, and explore the support provided by Green Suffolk and Groundwork.

Net Zero Grants

The Carbon Trust offers knowledge and finance to help businesses reduce energy costs and increase profits, by implementing low carbon solutions. Please visit their client services webpage for more information.

The Green Suffolk website also carries a listing of available funding schemes to help businesses cut energy use.

Funding & Grants.

Eligible businesses, including small businesses, startups, and enterprises in specific sectors or areas designated for regeneration, helping reduce operating costs and support business sustainability.

For startups and entrepreneurs, including advice, mentoring, and access to workspace, funding, and networking opportunities to help new businesses get off the ground and succeed in Ipswich.

We loo to partner with local organisations, industry bodies, and government agencies to deliver business support programs and initiatives, offering funding, training, and resources to businesses in key sectors or priority areas identified for economic development and growth.

Grants and funding are available from several sources to enable your business to:

  • Open new products and services
  • Explore new markets
  • Innovate
  • Perform research and development
  • Improve productivity and efficiency

Grants and Funding

https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/accessing-grants-loans-and-other-funding-streams

New Anglia LEP Schemes

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership works with businesses, local authority partners and education institutions to drive growth and enterprise in Norfolk and Suffolk. Current programmes include:

More details and full guidance notes are on New Anglia’s Funding webpage.

Scale Up New Anglia, is a programme specifically designed for businesses that are looking for guidance in developing a pathway route map and action plan to help them scale up.

Suffolk County Council Grant Mentoring

Suffolk County Council supports the New Anglia LEP’s business programmes outlined in the section above and also offers a grant mentoring scheme.

Innovation funding can help you take your business to the next level, whether you’re looking to develop a new product or expand into a new market.

Suffolk and Norfolk County Councils have combined to create a grant mentoring scheme that will help guide you through the application process and increase your chances of getting funding.

The project helps a variety of business types, from sole traders to micro, small and medium-sized businesses. Read more and apply here.

Government Grant Finder

The ‘Find a Grant’ service is available from this site and allows searching of government grants. You can use the service to access government grant funding, search and filter to find a grant that meets your needs, finding out if you are eligible to apply, and how to apply.

GrantFinder is the leading funding database in the UK covering local, national, and international sources of funding. As an organisation we are able to access this useful database on your behalf, so email us to find out more. You can also read the latest GrantFinder news here.

The East of England Regional Growth Loan Schemes, supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, are available to established businesses based within the East of England. The schemes help support eligible businesses that can show strong growth potential and have a medium to long-term funding requirement to deliver that growth. Funds available range from £50,000 up to £500,000 and The FSE Group is an accredited delivery partner for the Growth Guarantee Scheme.

Business growth loans

Let’s Do Business Finance are offering loans to companies that can’t get funding from banks, or other mainstream providers. They are supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Loans range from £10,000 to £100,000.

Barclays Eagle Labs

Barclays Eagle Labs is a network made up of member businesses, partners, investors, corporates, mentors, banking expertise and so much more. In addition to their many other services, they offer a range of programmes. These currently include the Black Venture Growth Programme, Product Builder Programme, Funding Readiness Programme and many more.

Innovate UK Funding Finder

Innovate UK has a wide offer of funding opportunities that can be accessed on their funding finder page.

Equity Funding Support

Are you looking for an investment into your business? New Anglia Capital, part of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, helps early stage and high growth businesses pitch to experienced angel investors and provides match funding for successful projects. This co-investment fund is backed by £4m from New Anglia LEP in partnership with Anglia Capital Group. It aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth across Suffolk and Norfolk.