Grants & Finance News - Love Business East Midlands

22nd November 2022

ERC Starting Grant funding for two Nottingham researchers

Chemistry research at the University of Nottingham has been given a significant boost with €3m funding awarded to two projects to advance the fields of synthetic organic chemistry and materials science.

9th November 2022

BRITISH BUSINESS BANK NAMES LINCOLN TOP LOCAL AUTHORITY FOR START UPS IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

New data from Start Up Loans provides a league table of the UK’s top local authorities for start ups since 2012 when the scheme began

5th November 2022

NIHR award University of Leicester £10 million for research into non communicable diseases in India and Nepal

Experts from the University of Leicester and the Public Health Foundation of India have been awarded nearly £10 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to help improve the care outcomes of people living with multiple long-term healt

3rd November 2022

MEIF Maven Debt Finance Funds achieve £80m funding milestone

Between the two funds, MEIF Maven Debt Finance have achieved a new milestone, loaning £80m to growing businesses across the East, South East and West Midlands. The debt funds, which are part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (“MEIF”), have been manag

2nd November 2022

Grant helps PR business, 1284 continue its success story

Loughborough-based PR and communications strategy business 1284 used a business growth grant to increase productivity - translating time saved into the launch of a new service.

1st November 2022

Cleaning pad business just scratching the surface when it comes to growth

Twelve months ago Harry Green, decided it was time to sell his cleaning pad business in Leicester. After all, he was 95, maybe it was time to close the business!

1st November 2022

ITP Aero welcomes EU funding towards sustainable aviation

EU’s Clean Aviation programme to proceed with over €700m of funding for 20 aviation research and innovation programmes

24th October 2022

Gardening business digs in with good practice

While Oliver Lockwood was on furlough in 2020 the seed of an idea began to formulate for his future.

18th October 2022

Nottingham museum receives £8k to help fund new shop front

Nottingham-based Framework Knitters Museum has received funds to upgrade its newly established café and shop – Parker’s Yard - with a discrete and secure reception area.

17th October 2022

Biotech company raises further £2.4m for ‘breakthrough’ TB blood test

A Nottingham company which has devised a blood test that could revolutionise management of tuberculosis (TB) has raised a further £2.4m to further develop the test and support clinical trials.

17th October 2022

YMCA Robin Hood Group shares annual report as new Chair of Trustees is appointed during charity’s AGM

The latest annual report by YMCA Robin Hood Group reveals how the charity has continued to provide a lifeline to thousands of young and vulnerable people, in spite of the many challenges posed by the pandemic.

17th October 2022

Town Deal confirms £2.5 million grant to Healthy and Innovative Loughborough project

Loughborough Town Deal has confirmed a £2.5 million grant to help build on the town’s reputation for sporting excellence and harness that knowledge for the good of its residents.

12th October 2022

Robinson invests in new equipment for its fast-growing Paperbox division

Robinson – the manufacturer specialising in value-added custom packaging – has invested more than half a million pounds in state-of-the-art SATE machinery for its UK Paperbox division.

11th October 2022

The countdown is on to Love Business Expo 2023

Sponsors, partners and supporters of the Love Business Expo met in Loughborough recently to start the countdown to next year’s event.

11th October 2022

Mansfield Innovation Centre boosts local economy by more than £1.2m

Mansfield Innovation Centre has helped to drive a timely economic boost of more than £1.2m for the area by helping local businesses access grant funding, create new jobs and benefit from intensive business coaching and support.

10th October 2022

BRITISH BUSINESS BANK’S START UP LOANS PROGRAMME CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND REVEALS ITS EAST MIDLANDS AMBASSADOR

Lincoln-based Naturawell, a plant-based bar and restaurant serving healthy and delicious food and drinks, is among 12 small businesses to be selected as champions of UK start-ups by Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank.

6th October 2022

WBPS commits to Stage V generator compliance with £7 million investment

As the industry comes together at the Institute of Healthcare, Estates, Energy & Management Conference, Derbyshire’s WB Power Services (WBPS) has announced a further £2 million investment in Stage V generator compliance, on top of the £5 million it has al

4th October 2022

East Midlands businesses claim £330m for R&D

East Midlands businesses claimed £330 million in research and development (R&D) tax credits for the 20/21 financial year, according to HMRC’s latest R&D tax credit statistics, analysed by tax relief specialist Access2Funding, a Ryan company.

3rd October 2022

Nottingham-based retail software provider secures funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance

Nottingham-based Retail Assist Ltd (“RAL”) has secured a funding package from MEIF Maven Debt Finance (“the Fund”), which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”).

30th September 2022

CISI Financial Planning Week

UK public are encouraged to understand their finances better in CISI’s Financial Planning Week 3 - 9 October 2022 #FPWUK

26th September 2022

British Business Bank expands Start Up Loans programme in East Midlands

Providing vital support to the UK’s start ups during a challenging economic period, the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has been expanded.

22nd September 2022

Assetz Capital expands team with appointment of Midland's based Originator

Specialist marketplace lender Assetz Capital have added to their growing Origination team with the appointment of experienced finance professional David Hehir.

20th September 2022

East Midlands Accelerator helps 340 businesses with net zero plans

More than 340 businesses across the East Midlands have so far been supported in the development of their sustainability plans, as a result of the net zero strand of the East Midlands Accelerator project.

14th September 2022

Belvoir announces adventure playground opening date

Belvoir Castle has announced that it will be opening its children’s adventure playground in time for schools’ Halloween half term breaks, as part of a programme of special events and ghostly goings on.

12th September 2022

East Mids housing provision bolstered by £120m refinancing deal for housebuilder

Roythornes lead £120 million refinancing deal for Allison Group

6th September 2022

Key workers to benefit from deposit boost by Leicestershire homebuilder

Key workers in Leicestershire can receive a deposit contribution of up to £15,000 for their new home thanks to David Wilson Homes’ latest offer at Wigston Meadows in Wigston.

1st September 2022

British Business Investments commits up to £10m to Lincolnshire based, Haatch Ventures

British Business Investments, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, today announces a commitment of up to £10m to Haatch Ventures (Haatch) through the Regional Angels Programme.

30th August 2022

Business Growth Grant Toolkit

Are you a Leicestershire company trading B2B and looking to grow?

24th August 2022

LDC exits investment in Littlefish

Leading mid-market private equity firm LDC has exited its minority investment in managed IT and cyber services provider Littlefish, to Bowmark Capital following a three-year partnership.

22nd August 2022

‘Levelling Up’ bid for job-creating £40m Link Road submitted

Nottinghamshire County Council has formally submitted a £40m bid to Government for the financing of the planned Toton Link Road.

19th August 2022

LLEP makes £10m of loans available to accelerate major infrastructure projects

Jobs, homes and business space will be created as £10m is made available for loans which accelerate the creation of new infrastructure in Leicester and Leicestershire.

19th August 2022

Drilling firm secures seven-figure loan to deliver green power to Ethiopia

The UK’s leading onshore deep drilling specialist, based in Chesterfield, has secured a seven-figure loan to help finance its work on the construction of two ‘green’ power stations in Ethiopia.

15th August 2022

HMRC interest on late paid tax soars, and there could be more bad news ahead for late taxpayers

A further increase on interest paid to HM Revenue & Customs (‘HMRC’) for late payment of taxes will hit taxpayers who are not up-to-date, and their bills could grow very quickly, say leading tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

15th August 2022

Derbyshire-based boutique jewellery retailer secures £1.5m to grow business

Family business CW Sellors has secured £1.5m in investment to expand its design and manufacturing centre

11th August 2022

English Premier League clubs bounce back from COVID-19 but financial challenges remain in lower leagues

English Premier League (EPL) clubs appear to have bounced back from COVID-19, but lower league clubs continue to face financial challenges, according to a new report published today by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

10th August 2022

Midlands Engine Investment Fund and Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund support over 30% of regional spinouts

A new joint research report titled ‘Backing Innovation-led Businesses: the role of public investment’ reveals how the programmes delivered by the British Business Bank, UK Research & Innovation and Innovate UK play a fundamental role in supporting the suc

9th August 2022

Call out to small firms to help drive innovation in construction

Some of the best ideas in construction come from the small companies that are directly responsible for site production.

5th August 2022

Amber Valley Borough Council shares exciting proposals for £2.9 million of new Government funding

Amber Valley Borough Council has been allocated £2,978,000 in Government funding to spend on projects to benefit the community and businesses over the next three years.

5th August 2022

Advisers revealed behind The Fleet Auction Group transaction

Tax specialists from Leicester based WestBridge Group have advised on the sale of a 22-acre facility on Stephenson Industrial Estate in Coalville to one of the UK’s largest wholesale used vehicle suppliers.

5th August 2022

Househam Sprayers secures £450,000 funding package via MEIF

Maven Capital Partners continues to back ambitious businesses across the East and South East Midlands via the Midlands Engine Investment Fund.

4th August 2022

Cheesecake Energy secures £3.5m to develop its unique green energy storage technology

Cheesecake Energy Ltd (CEL), a Nottingham, UK- based energy storage startup has raised £3.5 million (US$4.2 million) in pre-series A funding.

4th August 2022

M-EC, one of the UK’s leading technical consultants, has invested in new equipment for two disciplines after securing a grant from ERDF to part-fund new software.

Departments, Acoustic Air, and Lighting are the latest to receive investment to bolster and enhance their capabilities and offering to clients.

4th August 2022

Pall-Ex Group Deal in Record Time Thanks To Metro Bank’s Rapid Support

Pall-Ex Group Limited, the owner of two UK based palletised freight distribution networks, headquartered in Coalville, Leicestershire, has just capitalised on an opportunity to purchase 66 trucks that were previously being leased thanks to rapid support f

3rd August 2022

University of Nottingham’s aerospace programme commits £3.8 million to SMEs

The University of Nottingham has awarded more than £3.8m in funding as part of its Aerospace Unlocking Potential (UP) programme, after announcing another round of funding for four Midlands-based businesses.

2nd August 2022

Nottinghamshire entrepreneur beat the odds and secures £15,000 to bring vibrant performances to corporate events

Nottinghamshire entrepreneur Thomas Wyman has secured a £15,000 Start-Up Loan from First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans through the Start-Up Loans Scheme backed by British Business Bank to offer vibrant performances to premium events.

26th July 2022

OVER 10,000 SME OWNERS APPLY FOR £25,000 GRANT AS COST OF LIVING RISES

Over 10,000 SME owners have applied for a single £25,000 Business Boost grant from one of the UK’s largest small business insurance providers Simply Business.

20th July 2022

VegVan Farm will support the community from the ground up

There’s been a lot of talk about pivoting to survive for businesses during and after Covid19, but what about when you’re ready to start a new business and have to divert the idea before you’ve even begun?

18th July 2022

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is officially open

Chesterfield’s new flagship enterprise centre, which will support new and expanding businesses to respectively start and grow in the town, is now officially open.

18th July 2022

Medilink Midlands helps life sciences companies secure nearly £80 million in investment

New analysis by the life sciences industry association Medilink Midlands reveals it has helped the region’s life sciences companies to secure investment of £77 million, which has contributed to the creation of high level jobs for the Midlands.

13th July 2022

Ron Brooks Funds Local Primary School Wellbeing Space

Ron Brooks Toyota has donated to Scargill Primary School in response to the pressures children have faced in the last few years that have affected their routines.

11th July 2022

£2m Investment to Futureproof Manufacturing

Burton headquartered pitched roof tile manufacturer, Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) has completed a £2m upgrade at its Scottish plant.

6th July 2022

£5m Low Carbon Innovation Hub to transform green charging and testing at MIRA Technology Park

Plans have been approved for a £5m green infrastructure project linked to aLow Carbon Innovation Hub that will support tech companies as they focus ondeveloping low carbon technologies.

6th July 2022

Leicestershire firms trading b2b should take advantage of growth grant before it's too late

Business owners in Leicestershire are being urged to check if they are eligible for a growth grant from the Business Gateway Growth Hub before funds run out. Currently around £400,000 remains in the pot for the Business Growth Grant aimed at Leicester and

5th July 2022

Kesseler secures £30,000 D2N2 grant thanks to support from Mansfield Innovation Centre

Luxury British kitchen manufacturer Kesseler is set to expand into new markets after securing grant funding to buy specialist machinery for its Nottinghamshire factory.

29th June 2022

Local businesses helped by Business Gateway during 12-month period topped £2billion combined turnover

The LLEP’s Business Gateway Growth Hub supported more than 1,500 businesses - with a combined turnover topping £2billion - during just 12 months.

24th June 2022

Nottinghamshire County Council: Bid for £40m ‘Levelling Up’ Link Road confirmed

Nottinghamshire County Council is preparing a bid worth approximately £40m to fund the planned Toton Link Road as part of the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda.

22nd June 2022

New current account to improve financial inclusion for East Midlands communities

One of the UK’s fastest-growing financial co-operatives has partnered with Engage, the community banking-as-a-service division of Contis-Solaris, to launch its own branded credit union debit card and current account.

22nd June 2022

Smaller businesses in the East Midlands see major rise in equity investment in 2021, securing £154m in 2021

Equity investment in UK smaller businesses reached record levels of £18.1bn in 2021, as revealed by The British Business Bank’s Small Business Equity Tracker 2022, published today.

21st June 2022

OakNorth Bank lends £3.8M to acquire and refurbish the third hotel from The Signet Collection, Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, in Oakham, Rutland

OakNorth Bank – the UK bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs – has provided a £3.8M loan to The Signet Collection, to acquire Barnsdale Lodge Hotel in Oakham, Rutland, and refurbish and upgrade it to a 4-star Signet-branded spa resort.

20th June 2022

£100,000 funding awarded to supercharge sustainable travel around Derbyshire

An online platform that will encourage EV usage and car sharing in Derbyshire has been awarded £100,000 funding from Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect, it has been announced.

18th June 2022

Pomegranate Theatre set to close for multi-million-pound refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall

The Pomegranate Theatre is set to temporarily close its doors later this month in preparation for a multi-million-pound renovation project that will create an enhanced and improved customer experience.

16th June 2022

Walesby Forest's 'Thank You' as it bounces back to pre-Covid levels

Leaders at internationally acclaimed North Nottinghamshire outdoor activity centre Walesby Forest have praised the widespread support it received to ensure it survived the pandemic.

16th June 2022

Grant is driving force to increased productivity for T&N Tyres

With the Government’s net-zero target for greenhouse gas emissions set for 2050, many businesses are making changes toward more sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.

16th June 2022

University’s largest ever funding award for UK’s most powerful MRI scanner

£29 million national scanning facility will help the UK lead the world in ultra-high field imaging to transform understanding of the brain and treatment of disease

13th June 2022

MEIF Maven invests £250,000 in Nottingham-based sportstech business BatFast

11th June 2022

HR software platform that helps manage remote workers raises further £3m

A fast-growing Leicester-based HR software platform that helps firms to manage the performance of employees in different locations has raised a further £3m from existing investors.

8th June 2022

£6.25m gateway project to create hundreds of new jobs at MIRA Technology Park

The progress of the £300m development of a Leicestershire enterprise zone has taken another major step forward after agreement was reached over investment in a new £6.25m gateway infrastructure project.

1st June 2022

Maven invests in Nottingham-based renewable gas refuelling station supplier Roadgas

Nottingham-based supplier of renewable gas refuelling stations, Roadgas Ltd (“Roadgas”), has secured funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance, part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”).

27th May 2022

£4.3m investment set to add up to better maths skills in Notts

Government funding worth £4.3million is due to improve maths skills across the county to help boost job prospects.

25th May 2022

Funding for project to fix the sustainable future of smart devices

Researchers at the University of Nottingham are part of a project awarded £1.2 million to understand how to create a more circular and equitable digital economy, underpinned by reuse and repair.

19th May 2022

Derbyshire entrepreneur and bespoke guitar craftsman builds on his success after receiving £10,000 Start-Up loan 

Derbyshire entrepreneur Mark Hilditch has secured a £10,000 Start-Up Loan from First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans through the British Business Bank and is now able to turn his passion for creating handmade guitars into a business. 

6th May 2022

D2N2 LEP AWARDS £6.5 MILLION TO SEVEN LOW CARBON PROJECTS

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has announced it will be investing £6.5million from its Low Carbon Growth Fund into seven innovative projects based across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.

6th May 2022

Food Innovation Centre helps luxury sushi producer Uramaki to launch UK-wide delivery

A Nottingham-based luxury sushi producer has launched a nationwide delivery service thanks to support from The Food Innovation Centre at the University of Nottingham.

1st May 2022

New £5m Centre for Nottingham College’s new Independent Living and Employability moves a big step closer thanks to funding

Nottingham College has been successful in attracting grant funding which will unlock investment totalling £5m in its provision for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (SLDD).

29th April 2022

Completion of new Jewson branch supports delivery of HS2 Chesterfield Station Masterplan

Construction of a new Jewson branch on Sheffield Road has been completed. This is a key milestone in the £10.8m joint project, between Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, to deliver the first phase of the Hollis Lane Link Road.

28th April 2022

£500k upgrade set to supercharge UK manufacturing for SuperFOIL

Lincoln-based insulation manufacturer, SuperFOIL Insulation is set to scale up UK manufacturing with the first of four production-line improvements for 2022.

26th April 2022

The Access Foundation pledges to help tackle the UK's digital divide

The Access Foundation has approved grants for an initial £269,000 of funding to support projects across the UK to help tackle the digital divide.

25th April 2022

Becketwell Derby Scheme shortlisted for two major property awards

Phase one of the £200m Becketwell Derby regeneration scheme has been shortlisted for two major awards.

24th April 2022

World-class three-storey lab space officially opens after £3.4m investment

Three-storey laboratory officially opens after revamp creates base for more than 150 scientists

21st April 2022

HSBC UK SUPPORTS MANAGEMENT BUYOUT OF UK’S LARGEST FAMILY-OWNED BICYCLE DISTRIBUTOR

Derbyshire bicycle supplier and distributor Moore Large has received an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support the company’s growth.

20th April 2022

RSM UK and Geldards secure private equity investment for Permaroof

RSM UK and Geldards have helped Permaroof successfully secure funding from UK-based private equity firm, Owner Venture Managers.

15th April 2022

The Big House Social Sales Sprint

Supported by the European Regional Development Fund and The Midlands Engine, The Big House Social Sales Sprint provides intensive support to both entrepreneurs and established small and medium sized businesses seeking sales growth through social selling.

12th April 2022

The Access Foundation pledges to help tackle the UK's digital divide

The Access Foundation has approved grants for an initial £269,000 of funding to support projects across the UK to help tackle the digital divide.

11th April 2022

Next size up for growing fashion business

After just 18 months in its new premises, the Leicester Fashion and Textiles Academy Ltd has outgrown the space and is on the move again.

7th April 2022

Derbyshire luxury nightwear brand receives £500,000 funding package

British luxury nightwear business has experienced rapid growth since launching in 2020

4th April 2022

Football America UK is (super) bowled over by grant support

Whilst there was no American football, or any other sport, being played during lockdowns in 2020/21 Leicestershire-based Football America UK took advantage of this quiet time to make big changes.

24th March 2022

Nottingham College secures 1.2m fund to invest in science

Nottingham College has been awarded a 1.2m capital grant by the Office for Students to invest in its Higher Education (HE) science provision, including a new science and innovation centre.

22nd March 2022

North Nottinghamshire businesses can benefit from free Trading Standards support until June 2022

Government funding worth £1.7 million means that businesses in Mansfield, Bassetlaw and Newark and Sherwood can take advantage of free bespoke advice from Nottinghamshire Trading Standards to aid their recovery and growth following the Covid-19 pandemic.

22nd March 2022

Alliance Transport Technologies accelerates growth plans with multi-million pound BGF investment

Derbyshire headquartered, Alliance Transport Technologies (ATT), has attracted funding from the UK’s most active growth capital investor, BGF.

12th March 2022

Notts community groups to share £1.2m worth of new funds

More than 80 community groups and charities will receive grants to help fund essential running costs and to improve local facilities.

12th March 2022

New grants to boost sustainable tourism in the National Forest

The National Forest Company (NFC) is launching a new grants scheme to help fund projects aimed at establishing the National Forest as a sustainable destination for people to visit.

10th March 2022

Award-winning founder raises further £1.3m for software platform

An award-winning Leicester entrepreneur has raised a further £1.3m for her software platform which helps companies manage complex rebate and price incentive schemes.

10th March 2022

Race Night Fun For Charity Fundraisers

A Race Night, organised by local charity Safe and Sound, romped home above target – raising more than £5,000 to enable the charity to support more children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation.

9th March 2022

British Business Bank’s regional equity funds sign up to Investing in Women Code

The Equity Fund Managers from the British Business Bank’s regional funds – the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) and the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) have all become signatories o

8th March 2022

Start up founder from the East Midlands offers insight to aspiring women entrepreneurs

Only one in five businesses in the UK is run by a woman.

25th February 2022

EAST MIDLANDS BUSINESS CONFIDENCE BACK ON THE RISE

Business confidence in the East Midlands rose one point during February to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.  

24th February 2022

EMA Training Opens New Digital HUB in Derby

An East Midlands training and apprenticeship provider has invested £75,000 to give Derby’s former newspaper offices an exciting new lease of life - as a state-of-the-art digital HUB.

23rd February 2022

Application Advice Issued to SMEs to Help Combat Funding Rejections

Businesses across The Midlands are being given crucial advice to help improve their chances of success when applying for funding, after research from Allica Bank shows well over half of local businesses have had funding applications rejected.