Show Me The Money! Grants & Funding - Practical Tips & Support

Revised: September 2023

Hello beautiful people,

October is a jam-packed month for events! Birmingham Tech Week & Black History Month. BHM as Dipsy from the Teletubbies once said to me (the legend that is John Simmit), BHM is All our history month. Events up & down the country celebrating overlooked Black contributions to British society, aiming to foster a better understanding of history in general.

Discovered The Key Fund last week at an event organised by the Access Group & School for Social Entrepreneurs! Blended grants & loans to enterprises from £5k - £300k. Loans at below the current base rate! That’s how serious the Key Fund are about supporting enterprises that also do social good.

British Business Bank Start Up Loans programme hits the £1bn milestone of loans to UK small businesses. Lending money to individuals typically ignored by venture capitalists. Women received nearly 40% of the funds and ethnic minorities founders, nearly 20%.

Stay amazing, stay courageous

Drew

Drew Currie

Founder, hibretOne CIC

Top Tips for New Subscribers:

If a grant or programme is not shown in your region, many funds listed are for the W Midlands, where I am based. Google search the keywords within the grant, as the programme may be running in your area, under a different name.

LATEST:

British Business Bank Start Up Loans programme

Hits £1bn milestone of loans to UK small businesses. Here’s some stats:

·        More than 105,000 businesses across the UK

·        Almost 70% of loans have gone to businesses outside London and the South East

·        £371m of loans (nearly 40%) have gone to female founders

·        £201m (20%) of loans have gone to people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds  

Between 2012 -2022, 80% of total VC capital invested in AI was raised by all-male teams. In contrast, all-female teams raised a mere 0.3% (Alan Turing Institute 2023), the same as Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority-led businesses. Pat yourselves on the back BBB, you are making change!

https://www.startuploans.co.uk/1bn-milestone/

Birmingham Tech Week

The UK’s largest regional tech festival and conference, with over 7,500 people attending. Organised by TechWMids. Events will take place in-person & virtually, across the entire West Midlands covering a variety of important and innovative topics. Book soon as many are full or close to capacity.

Dates: 16 - 20th October 2023

https://birminghamtechweek.com/

Celebrating Black History Month at NatWest (part of Birmingham Tech Week)

NatWest will be hosting an event to celebrate the Black Business community in the Region. Whether you have a business idea that hasn't yet come to fruition, you're a business owner looking to expand your customer base, you'd like to offer your time to support others or you'd like to be an ally of the Black Business community - this event is for you.

I will be on the panel hosted by the amazing Pam Sheemar, along with some super-smart changemakers. Will definitely be listening more than speaking.

Date/Time: 09 October 2023, 14:00 to 16:30 

Venue – Ground Floor, NatWest Accelerator Hub, 2 St Philips’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2RB

Cost: Free

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-black-history-month

The Key Fund

Provide flexible loans and grants to help enterprises start up, become sustainable, and grow; creating jobs, reinvigorating communities and offering social investment.

As a Social Enterprise themselves, they understand the challenges faced and provide support, pre and post-investment. Offer investments from £5k up to £300k to community and social enterprises operating in the North of England and the Midlands.

Some of their blended grant & loan packages offer loans at around 3.5% APR, so very competitive.

I was at an event they presented at a couple of weeks back. Definitely reach out to them for a chat.

https://thekeyfund.co.uk/

CREME (Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship)

Uplifting Diverse Voices in Business - The Latest from CRÈME. Making Diversity and Enterprise Everyone's Business. Signup to their newsletter which highlights impactful initiatives cultivating inclusion and empowering underrepresented talents.

The article is written by Prof Monder Ram (a massive massive hero of mine), who founded CRÈME & is an advisor for the hibretOne initiative. The recommendations provided in his reports around supporting all enterprises feed into the features we are developing for our platform. So we all owe him thanks.

https://sway.office.com/BVw6dpXQg4Og3WYi?ref=Link&loc=play

Taxpayers pay more for maintaining Houses of Parliament than rest of country’s homes

More of taxpayers’ money is spent on maintaining the Houses of Parliament than is made available for vital improvements on the rest of England’s 20 million privately rented and owner-occupied homes, a new report reveals.

The £100 million average annual bill for maintaining the Houses of Parliament is higher than the average yearly spend (£93 million) national government issues for home improvement grants (Centre for Ageing Better 2023).

https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/taxpayers-pay-more-annual-maintenance-houses-parliament-rest-countrys-homes-combined

Digital funding for small charities

Improving your digital presence can be transformational, but it’s really tough to secure funding in this area. The Fat Beehive Foundation exists to change that, offering small grants of up to £2,500 to charities with a turnover of less than £400,000.

https://www.fatbeehivefoundation.org.uk/

Transforming medicines manufacturing: grand challenge

Apply for a share of £4m to support the development and implementation of flexible, agile, scalable and sustainable technologies for medicines development, delivery and manufacture across the supply chain.

Eligibility:

·        Open to UK-led collaborations only

·        research and technology organisation

·        public sector organisation

·        must involve at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise

Deadline: 15 November 2023

https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/transforming-medicines-manufacturing-grand-challenge/

Horizon Europe Cluster 2 - Online Pre-Proposal Check event

An online meeting where evaluators will provide feedback and tips on how to enhance your project ideas & stand a better chance to get funded and to transfer useful knowledge to project proposers.

Horizon grants are really hard to apply for, but the success rates are very high, some over 35%.

Deadline: 18 October 2023

https://cluster-2-brokerage-event.b2match.io/page-4621

Birmingham Black Business Conference

Opportunities for businesses to network, grow their business, pitch for investment on the day.

Plus I'll be there sharing gems on those hidden sources of grant funding.

Date: 14th October 2023

Cost: FREE

Address: Legacy Centre of Excellence, Birmingham, B6 4UU 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birmingham-black-business-conference-2023-tickets-704852080547

Almost 2,000 more independent stores left vacant

In the first half of 2023, as small businesses struggle to cope with rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. This was the biggest rise in vacancies in eight years and followed two years of high street growth. Hairdressers, estate agents, pubs, newsagents, florists, dry cleaners, butchers, fish and chip shops and car dealerships were the businesses hardest hit.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/21/almost-2000-more-independent-stores-in-great-britain-left-empty-this-year

Advisory scheme to help AI and digital innovations

A pilot scheme will be launched in 2024 to help organisations demonstrate that their new artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovations meet regulatory requirements. The £2 million scheme will make it easier for businesses to get the help they need, by bringing together the different regulators involved in the oversight of AI and digital technologies.

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-advisory-service-to-help-businesses-launch-ai-and-digital-innovations

How smaller businesses in the West Midlands can thrive with diversity

Join a panel of experts hosted by British Business Bank, NatWest, Funding Hero and Q Commercial Finance, to find out more about the debt and equity options available for your smaller business and how to get ready to secure that finance.

With business support speakers across finance options and investment readiness, alongside smaller businesses recently completing an investment readiness programme and secured equity finance.

Date/Time: Tuesday 7th November, 12:00pm – 14:00pm

Venue: Millennium Point, Curzon Street Birmingham B4 7XG

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-smaller-businesses-in-the-west-midlands-can-thrive-with-diversity-tickets-711096567977

Investment iX Challenge: HealthTech for Underserved Populations

Is your startup making meaningful impact on healthcare accessibility for underserved populations? Innovate UK KTN invites you to be a part of virtual pitch event: ‘HealthTech for Underserved Populations.’ Meet Venture Capital investors and make new connections. Network with finance experts, Innovate UK KTN and potential partners.

Deadline: 27 October 2023

Pitch day: 07 November 2023

https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/opportunities/healthtech-underserved-population-investment-ix-challenge/

Innovate UK Investor Partnerships: SME round 4

Apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners.

Eligibility:

UK registered businesses

·        For feasibility studies projects:

Costs between £50,000 and £300,000, duration between 6 and 12 months

·        For industrial research projects:

Costs between £100,000 and £1 million, duration between 6 and 24 months

·        For experimental development projects:

Costs between £250,000 and £2 million, duration between 12 and 24 months

Deadline: 25/10/2023

https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/opportunities/innovate-uk-investor-partnerships-sme-round-4/

'Long-Term Plan for Towns' announced

The Government has announced that 55 towns across the UK will benefit from levelling up investment. Each town will receive £20 million over ten years to invest in local priorities as part of the Government's 'Long-Term Plan for Towns'. Under the plan, towns will be able to use 'regeneration powers' to unlock private sector investment and set up a Town Board to bring together community leaders, employers, local authorities and the local MP.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-puts-local-people-in-control-of-more-than-1-billion-with-long-term-plan-for-left-behind-towns

ABI launches cyber safety tool

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has launched a free interactive tool to help small and medium-sized businesses assess their cybersecurity and identify any gaps. The Cyber Safety Tool has been created using expertise from within the insurance industry, but also utilises best practice and protocols from the National Cyber Security Centre.

https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2023/9/abi-launches-cyber-safety-tool-to-help-smes-boost-security/

Green Entrepreneurs Fund

About 5-6 different types of green grants. Helps businesses, organisations, communities and individuals interested in developing skills in the green economy and investing in green energy and carbon reduction schemes.

Grants of between £6,000 to £20,000 are available for proposals for alternative energy, clean fuel and carbon reduction projects.

Eligibility:

·        Derbyshire

·        Minimum spend of £15,000 and there is a maximum intervention rate of 40 per cent.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/business/green-entrepreneurs-fund/green-entrepreneurs-fund.aspx

West Midlands SME Grant Programme

Business projects can be considered for:

·        new business start-ups (for Birmingham and Solihull based businesses only)

·        expanding and growing existing businesses

·        inward investment

·        developing new markets opportunities

·        innovation, including new product development

·        capital investment

·        an increase in the productive capacity of new and existing premises through new property builds, refurbishment and extensions

·        digital projects

Start-up SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £2,500 to £7,500 are available for Birmingham and Solihull based businesses only)

Existing SMEs based in the West Midlands Region (grants of £5,000 to £100,000 are available for Birmingham, Solihull, and Shropshire based businesses). Expect most applications to apply for an average grant of between £10,000 to £20,000, and only in exceptional circumstances will grants of up to £100,000 be awarded. This is to make sure that the limited WMGP budget is given to as many businesses as possible.

Funding opens: 23 October 2023

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50293/wm_sme_grant_programme/2693/about_the_west_midlands_sme_grant_programme

Women in Tech Entrepreneurship, challenges, barriers and opportunity in diversity in tech (part of Birmingham Tech Week)

Some fantastic speakers lined up for this event.

Date/ Time: 20 October 2023, 10am to 12.00 

Venue – Ground Floor, NatWest Accelerator Hub, 2 St Philips’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2RB

https://birminghamtechweek.com/events/

DHSC Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Fund

Organisations across England are invited to bid for a share of £1 million of government funding to buy life-saving defibrillators for community spaces like town halls, local parks or post offices. The DHSC Community Automated External Defibrillator (CAED) Fund will support provision of 2000 AEDs. These will be distributed across England during 2023-2024, supporting any organisation based in England that is not eligible for the current Department of Education AED programme.

Deadline: 21 September 2024 (next year, so plenty of time)

https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/dhsc-community-automated-external-defibrillator-aed-fund-1

Innovation Awards Ceremony

Recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation.

Date: Friday 27th October from 6pm

Location: Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.

https://innovation-awards.co.uk/

Untapping opportunities for Trade and Investment between WM & Latin America (part of Birmingham Tech Week)

Organised by BeC, come & explore opportunities in the Latin American market. Working alongside ProChile UK & LatamScaleUP to put on this special event, bringing Latin America to Birmingham! For West Midlands based businesses, this is a chance to learn about the Latin American markets and what opportunities await your business in these vast markets representing over 20 countries and 650 million people.

Date: 18 October, 9am - 12noon

Location: Alpha Works, Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/untapping-opportunities-for-trade-and-investment-between-wm-latin-america-tickets-705303470667

Immerse Finance Evening Spotlight

Are you looking to access funding for your start-up? Knowing the different funding resources available for your business and which is right for you can be difficult to navigate.

Event run by Foundervine and Lloyds Bank.

Date: 17 October 2023, 18:30 to 21:00

Location: Halifax Flagship Bank, 118/132 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1HL

Cost: Free

https://www.foundervine.com/immerse-finance-evening-spotlight

Ascend Programme

Foundervine 3-month accelerator, supporting scale-stage ventures to access fundraising support and thrive in a competitive business environment. Through a 3-month investment readiness accelerator, the businesses will receive funding and business development advice, mentorship, relationship brokerage and peer to peer support.

Deadline: 09 October 2023

https://www.foundervine.com/ascend

Youth Climate Action Fund

Applications open for organisations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, North East England and North West England. Grants for up to £40,000, over two years.

Applications are a two-stage process:

Short expression of interest form by: 16 October 2023.

Full application by: 27 October 2023.

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/about-us/our-corporate-social-responsibility/the-foundation/apply-for-a-grant

Database for government research topics

Government has launched a database bringing together all Areas of Research Interest (ARI) documents from across government departments.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-one-stop-shop-to-find-the-topics-government-is-interested-in-researching

Post-Brexit investment only a third of lost EU funds

The British Business Bank, along with the UK Infrastructure Bank, the Scottish National Investment Bank and the Development Bank of Wales, are investing only a third of what the UK received from the European Investment Bank before Brexit.

The new banks have invested in fewer, smaller and lower-risk projects than the European Investment Bank, which invested in larger infrastructure projects.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/14/exclusive-new-uk-banks-post-brexit-investment-only-one-third-of-lost-eu-funds

New grants for video game developers

The UK Games Fund will receive an extra £5 million of government funding via scale-up grants. Studios and developers can apply for grants to help get games under development ready for market. The Fund will also continue awarding grants of up to £30,000 to young developers and early-stage studios to turn their drawing board ideas into working prototypes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-grants-for-rising-star-developers-to-help-turn-video-game-ideas-into-smash-hits

Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Round 2:

Apply for a share of up to £20 million to develop innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges. Funding is from Innovate UK.

Eligibility

·        Open to single applicants and collaborations.

Deadline: 8th November 2023

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search?keywords=Biomedical&innovationAreaId=

Preventing Childhood Sexual Violence Scale Accelerator

Programme delivered by Spring Impact, is aimed at NGOs and mission-driven organisations in the EU and UK focussed on preventing childhood sexual violence, striving towards a society where children are safe from harm and able to thrive.

Eligibility:

·        An NGO in the EU or UK working to prevent childhood sexual violence

Deadline: applications re-opening soon, check their website for more info

https://www.springimpact.org/scale-accelerator-preventing-childhood-sexual-violence/

Racial Justice Fund

There is a clear, evidence-based link between race and poverty. Black, Asian and inoritized households in the UK are twice as likely to be living in poverty.

Funds organisations led by Black and inoritized communities working to challenge racial and economic injustice and test out new ideas to help increase wealth and income in Black and inoritized communities.

Deadline: 16 October 2023

https://trustforlondon.org.uk/what-we-do/racial-justice/

Aviva Community Fund

Helps local causes build stronger communities across the UK. Funding is available for organisations looking to raise up to £50,000

https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/

Ufi VocTech Trust recruiting for new Trustees

Bringing one or more of the following to the Board:

·        Experience in a large corporate environment, particularly HR/L&D

·        Broad financial expertise

·        Investment insight and understanding, particularly early stage and tech investment

Ufi VocTech Trust is an independent grant funder and venture investor, aiming to catalyse change within the UK, creating a place where vocational skills, enabled and supported by digital technology, are celebrated and valued.

https://ufi.co.uk/who-we-are/work-with-us/trustee-recruitment/

WOLVERHAMPTON BLACK BUSINESS NETWORK (WBBN) 2023

7th Annual Business Conference Economic growth and development of the Black businesses in Wolverhampton and create an environment in which businesses will flourish and contribute to overall economic activities of the region.

Date: 26th October 2023, 5.00pm

Cost: Free

Location: Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills, Springfield Campus University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton WV10 0JR

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/719004831807

Farming Innovation Programme Small R&D Partnership Projects (Round 3)

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £9.8 million for Small R&D Partnership Projects from the Industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Farming Innovation Programme.

Your project must address a significant industry challenge or opportunity in at least one of the industry subsectors below:

·        livestock

·        plants

·        novel food production systems

·        bioeconomy and agroforestry

Deadline: 25 October 2023

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/1678/overview/3e005199-2540-434a-b4d7-a2b6639f46ad#summary

Collaborative AI Solutions to improve productivity in key sectors

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £32 million for innovation projects that can improve productivity in key sectors through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This funding is from the Technologies Mission Fund. Grants between £700,000 and £1.2 million.

Eligibility:

·        UK registered organisation

·        Project lasts between 10 and 12 months

·        Single entities can have grant funding requests of up to £100,000

Deadline: 08 November 2023

https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/opportunities/ai-solutions-to-improve-productivity-in-key-sectors/

Business Finance Week 2023

British Business Bank, along with several partners from across the UK, will host Business Finance Week 2023. A host of nationwide and regional in-person events, webinars and more, Business Finance Week helps smaller businesses learn about the different finance options available to them to support their individual needs.

Dates: 06-10 November 2023

Cost: Free

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/business-finance-week/

Black Tech Fest (featuring Craig David!)

Part of Black History Month. This is going to be awesome, as they have announced Craig David as one of the headline speakers. Step into the future of tech at Europe's most diverse tech festival. Inspiring speakers, networking, black culture, and innovations by top tech companies.

Dates: 10-12th October 2023.

Location: Magazine, London.

Virtual Day - Tuesday 10th October

https://link.colorintech.org/BTF23Virtual

Futures Day - Wednesday 11th October

https://link.colorintech.org/BTF23Futures

Ignite Day - Thursday 12th October

https://link.colorintech.org/BTF23Ignite

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator

Led by some great people at the University of Birmingham, like Prof Liam Grover. Bringing together key stakeholders (universities, hospitals, industry and government-funded 'Catapults' for manufacturing innovation) to supercharge the region's ability to accelerate new health and medical technologies.

Aim is to deliver a streamlined programme to help companies navigate "pinch-points" in the process of medical translation.

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/west-midlands-innovation-accelerator-to-spark-growth-and-innovation

Department for Business and Trade, British Business Bank, UK Export Finance

Offers businesses in the UK and if they want to further grow their business internationally and trade overseas.

DBT Midlands Newsletter

Sign up for regular updates on events, networking, information-rich webinars, peer to peer networking events, trade missions and more information from the Department for Business and Trade in the Midlands, register details here

https://eu.eventscloud.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=200248140&

Information to access finance

Funding may be available to support your business.

UK/Domestic Support

Information on start-up loans

https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan

Finance-support sort by location, loan, grant or business stage and more

https://www.gov.uk/business

Help to Grow

A place to find out how to start a business, grow a business and sell internationally

https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/funding-and-financial-support/

More information on business support

https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline

Events

All Department for Business and Trade events (including trade missions) both online and in person, in the UK and abroad can be found on this page.

https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/trade-events-calendar/home/

British Business Bank

One stop shop for information and signposting on British Business Bank finance support

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/

Women in Business Support

Women’s International Mentoring Programme. To support women and to address specific challenges they may face in business

https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/10992/

International Support

Contact the Export Support Team if your business has an export question.

https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team

Learn how to sell products or services to the world and get your business on your exporting journey or grow your exports. This in-person and online academy has masterclasses, specific overseas training information and much more.

https://www.great.gov.uk/export-academy/

For businesses that have established robust systems, structure and are trading at a specific financial level, the International

Trade Advisor service may be able to help businesses on their export journey.

https://www.great.gov.uk/contact/office-finder/

UK Export Finance

If your business requires particular overseas financial support in partnership with your existing banking facility and is trading at seven figures, UK Export Finance may be able to help. They also partner with Newable to provide financial support as well for companies trading at six figures (circa £300k) and more

https://www.gov.uk/export-finance-insurance 

Business support delivered by partners funded by Department for Business and Trade

Where do I find business support in my local area?

Enter your postcode on this page to find your local Business Growth Hub (will be changing at some point)

https://www.lepnetwork.net/local-growth-hub-contacts/

Black Women In Tech

Sharing amazing stories of Black Women in tech which is then distributed for FREE to schools and libraries. Launched the festival last year.

FREE tickets for students and job seekers.

FREE tickets for entrepreneurs willing to present their business or business idea to the experts, who will provide guidance and support.

Date: Saturday 28th of October 2023

https://theblackwomenintech.com/the-voices-in-the-shadow-festival-3/

2023 Female Founders NYC Trade Mission

If you know of a UK-headquartered tech company led by a woman, share with them this opportunity to join the UK's Department for Business and Trade on a Female Founders Trade Mission to New York (November 13-17). Explore the city's vibrant tech ecosystem and make valuable connections as you consider expanding your company to the US.

I was fortunate to be asked to be part of the working group on a previous mission to NYC. 3 of them that I know of, have since received funding on the backs of it. Well worth applying if you are eligible.

https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/200267112?&t=d5c2f2030cba95987f8de844278c0be1

Levelling up funding system not fit for purpose

Government's levelling up plans for England are being undermined by a funding system that is not fit for purpose, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

The thinktank has warned that the method for allocating local government funding is outdated and uses inadequate data that is skewed in favour of wealthy local authority areas in the south east of England. According to the IFS, the most deprived 20% of areas received a smaller share of local government funding than they required.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/15/funding-of-public-services-in-england-skewed-against-poor-areas-ifs-levelling-up

Government misses small business procurement target

Departments have missed the Cabinet Office target for small and medium-sized suppliers to account for a third of total central government procurement spending by 2022. Overall spending on SME procurement was worth £21 billion in 2021/22, which was only 26.5% of total spending. Smaller suppliers accounted for 26% of central government procurement spending when the target was initially announced in 2015.

https://www.ft.com/content/2cb5afa5-6ed2-4141-a028-4c327704fc7e

Grants to Support Individuals & Families in Need

Upto £2,000 are available to charities, housing associations, schools and social services providing support for individuals and families across the UK who are in financial need. The Cosaraf Charitable Foundation's Hardship Grants will support individuals and families who have exhausted all other sources of funding and are struggling with everyday costs, such as basic living expenses, household items and utilities, work- or education-related expenses, or rent arrears.

Eligibility:

·        Based in UK

·        Priority given to most financially excluded people, families over individuals, those with caring responsibilities, and items making the most difference to the individual/family's long-term future.

Deadline: Applications can be made at any time and are assessed every six weeks.

https://www.cosaraf.org/apply-for-funding/hardship-grants/

Tendering & Procurement Opportunities

Instead of searching for grants, how about getting on a preferred list of suppliers to the government, local government, the council or other orgsanisations. FindItIn….promotes local opportunities to local businesses transparently, working with global organisations to engage with the local supply chain.

https://www.finditinbirmingham.com/opportunities

https://www.finditincw.co.uk/

Venture capital needs to venture further

Treasury Committee criticises the venture capital industry’s unacceptable failure to invest in firms outside London and the South East or in businesses led by women and ethnic minorities as it calls for rapid change from Government and the sector.

20% of the startups are in London, however 50% of the funding goes there.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/158/treasury-committee/news/196644/venture-capital-needs-to-venture-further-says-treasury-committee/

Macmillan End of Life Care Fund

A partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and Social Finance to invest in transformational adult end of life care (cancer and non-cancer).

£36m social investment fund provides up-front funding for service transformation and is repayable only if mutually agreed outcomes are met. Minimum contract value, usually over three years, is £800k with no upper limit.

Deadline: 31 October 2023

https://www.socialfinance.org.uk/insights/macmillan-end-of-life-care-fund-invitation-to-apply

Warwick Innovation District report

Spotlights the Warwick Innovation District and the nodes that support research and innovation, as well as collaboration and investment.

2,170 high-growth businesses located across the West Midlands. Together, they secured £413m in equity investment in 2021. Strong industries in the region include high-value manufacturing, deeptech, and gaming.

https://www.beauhurst.com/research/warwick-innovation-district/

Be the Business and American Express

Launching a productivity partnership to empower small businesses across the UK. Activities include

Mentoring business leaders with 1-to-1 expertise and advice, helping them to drive tangible impact through in-depth support on productivity and resilience.

The Be the Business Mentoring programme matches senior executives from leading firms, including American Express, with SME leaders to help accelerate business growth and competitiveness. Over the course of 12 months, mentoring pairs build relationships, and mentors share their expertise and advice while further developing their own leadership capability.

Advisory boards offer business leaders the opportunity to experience trusted non-executive director style support to collectively tackle business-critical issues. Experienced business people will offer guidance on finance, marketing, operations, HR or other specialist areas over the course of 12 months.

A Workshop series will support business leaders to take practical steps to enhance the resilience of their businesses.

https://www.bethebusiness.com/newsroom/be-the-business-and-american-express-launch-productivity-partnership-to-empower-small-businesses-across-the-uk/

Race Equity Advisory Group: Call for members

Not very often do board members get their time appreciated! So here’s one for you.

Salary: Starting from £250 per day

Location: London, SE11. In-person attendance expected where possible

Closing date: 19 October 2023

https://app.beapplied.com/apply/kffkbe55e2

Black Business Fund

Black-owned restaurants with fewer than five locations can apply to the fund for a grant.

Uber and Enterprise Nation have come together to support twenty-five restaurants will each receive £10,000 to give their businesses a valuable boost, with at least half the grants going to businesses outside London.

Deadline: 15 November 2023

https://www.enterprisenation.com/uber/black-business-fund/sign-up/

The Singer Growth Economy report

Launched by Singer Capital Markets—highlights four key themes that are shaping the future of the UK economy: health and wellbeing of the population, the transition to a sustainable economy, innovation and emerging technologies, and geopolitics and demographics.

Latest report analyses more than 40,000 private UK companies that are operating within at least one of those themes.

Also shines a light on the Top 50 firms of the Singer Growth Economy, ranked by headcount or turnover growth, and profile 10 Rising Stars

https://www.beauhurst.com/research/singer-growth-economy-top-50/

Preparing for your first EdTech fundraising

Ufi Ventures are the UK's specialist investor in EdTech for adult skills with more than £4.2m invested in companies building the future of adult learning in the UK. The Ufi Ventures team will be sharing practical insights along with tips and advice about:

·        when and why to raise equity,

·        the pros and cons versus other forms of funding,

·        how to position your business for success,

·        the state of the investment market, and

·        what to look for in an investor (and what different investors are looking for in you).

Opportunity to ask the Ufi Ventures team any burning questions.

Date: 13 November 2023

https://weekofvoctech.co.uk/2023/preparing-for-your-first-edtech-fundraising

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