Grants & Finance News - Love Business East Midlands

25th September 2023

East Midlands Photo Firm Develops New Nottingham Studio

A family-run photography business has opened a new studio in West Bridgford, Nottingham, with backing from HSBC UK.

13th September 2023

Start Up Loans hits £1bn milestone of loans to UK small businesses, with £55m in 5,880 loans to the East Midlands

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has delivered more than £1bn of loans across the UK since its inception in 2012. The loans have been issued to 105,109 businesses, at an average of £9,547 per business.

12th September 2023

UK child exploitation charity becomes first SME to receive British Safety Council funding to support staff wellbeing

Derbyshire-based charity, Safe and Sound has become the first organisation to successfully win funding from British Safety Council to improve and support its staff’s wellbeing.

5th September 2023

Nottingham researchers receive share of £19 million committed to battery research

Research at the University of Nottingham into the development of new materials and technologies for next generation batteries is one of four projects to receive additional funding from the Faraday Institution.

5th September 2023

Derbyshire-based Artisan Chocolate Shop Secures £10,000 Funding to Launch Its First Store

An artisan chocolate shop, Hot Chocolaterie, has secured £10,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to kickstart the business.

30th August 2023

Nottingham-based coffee shop receives £14,500 funding for equipment upgrades and staff expansion

Punch Coffee, a coffee shop based in Nottingham, has secured £14,500 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to invest in new equipment and growth.

9th August 2023

AUGUST 2023 Double celebrations as National Lottery Heritage Fund cash secured for two Focus projects

Multi-disciplinary company Focus is celebrating after news that two of its projects have secured vital National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) cash.

3rd August 2023

£33 million joint investment to boost skills, support jobs and bolster green manufacturing in UK life sciences industry

£33 million of joint government and industry investment with leading global firm Kindeva Drug Delivery in UK medicines manufacturing will ensure a new generation of green, low-carbon, respiratory inhalers are made in the UK, supporting efforts to grow the

27th July 2023

Events software platform raises further £1.5m

A Lincoln company whose events software platform was used to help plan the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games has raised £1.5m to enable it to bring its technology to a wider audience and create new jobs.

18th July 2023

East Midlands care provider opens new home for people with brain injuries thanks to £1.6m funding from Unity Trust Bank

A leading specialist care provider for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) has opened its third residential home thanks to seven-figure funding from Unity Trust Bank.

14th July 2023

Medilink Midlands delivers £3.5m of funding to East Midlands life sciences companies

Organisations came together to join Medilink Midlands in celebrating the success delivered under the three ERDF funded programmes, INSTILS, SoLSTICE and ACTIS and to find out what is next for the region.

11th July 2023

Nottingham-based Breast Cancer Survivor Secures £14,500 Funding to Revolutionise Post-Surgery Bra Design

A Nottingham-based bodywear brand, H.E.R Bodywear, has secured £14,500 in funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to develop new products and invest in marketing.

11th July 2023

East Midlands unemployment rate drops to 3.3% but record wage rise reflects challenges for businesses

The East Midlands’ unemployment rate has dropped for a second consecutive month to 3.3% for the period between March and May 2023, new figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

10th July 2023

Logistics provider set for expansion with HSBC UK funding

Leading logistics provider Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) is expanding its operations thanks to an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK.

5th July 2023

County Council plans major savings by moving its civic and democratic base from County Hall to new offices near Hucknall

Nottinghamshire County Council could move its civic and democratic base to a new building near Hucknall to bring long-term savings for the taxpayer and environment.

5th July 2023

BID service saves Leicester’s high street businesses more than £150,000

After speaking to Leicester’s city centre businesses and hearing that many are feeling anxious about rising operating costs, BID Leicester decided to address the issue by partnering with Place Support Partnership (PSP), and has so far saved more than £150

4th July 2023

Northamptonshire-based Neurological Physiotherapy Clinic Enhances Rehabilitation Services with £20,000 Funding

A Northamptonshire-based neurological physiotherapy clinic, Neurobility, has secured £20,000 of funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

29th June 2023

Nottingham researchers receive share of £31 million to develop trustworthy and responsible AI

Nottingham researchers are part of a consortium awarded £31 million to create an international research and innovation ecosystem for responsible AI that will be responsive to the needs of society.

28th June 2023

Grant Support spearheads service expansion for Safe and Sound

Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has secured two major grants to enable it to support and protect more children, young people and families across the county.

26th June 2023

Northamptonshire-based skincare brand secures £120k funding for store renovation and new product launch

Bedew Skin, a Northamptonshire-based skincare brand, has secured over £120k funding with support from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans to renovate its new store, improve packaging and launch four new products.

22nd June 2023

East Midlands businesses awarded Create Growth grants worth up to £30k each

The first group of successful Create Growth grant applicants has been announced - with up to £400,000 of funding now heading to the East Midlands.

20th June 2023

£400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II preparing for 2024 launch

A £400m investment fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the Midlands is on course to be launched early next year. The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) is being delivered by the British Business Bank, bringing

13th June 2023

Manufacturer fast-tracks expansion with help of Business Gateway Growth Hub

Creating jobs and improving efficiency was always part of the plan for Micro Weighing Solutions (MWS). And the Leicester-based firm turned ideas into outcomes with help from the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub.

13th June 2023

Government grants could give SMEs much needed turbo-charge

As the cost of doing business has increased for SMEs across the Midlands, Derby-based renewables company, Power & Control Electrical and Renewables, is helping businesses take advantage of schemes & grants offering support towards renewable technologies.

6th June 2023

Celebrating Our 150th MEIF Loan: A Milestone in Small Business Support

As we celebrate our 150th Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) loan, we can't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. It has been a long journey, but one that has been worth it.

2nd June 2023

Manufacturing Growth Programme delivers over 1250 East Midlands jobs as it targets new-look funding landscape

One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping East Midlands manufacturers create or safeguard 1255 jobs since 2016. The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is designed and delivered b

1st June 2023

RESILIENT BUSINESSES ADAPT STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH

A third (36%) of UK businesses plan to adapt their strategies to navigate financial challenges over the next six months, new research from HSBC UK reveals:

31st May 2023

Duncan & Toplis accelerates growth plans

East Midlands accountancy, business adviser and wealth manager, Duncan & Toplis, is accelerating its growth plans through external investment from private equity firm Blixt Group.

22nd May 2023

Ceremony marks works starting of phase two warehouse for ATL

Work has started on the latest 8-figure investment for logistics company, Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) at its Midlands Hub in Foston, Derbyshire.

21st May 2023

Fantastic new Community Hub launched to support local people in Skegness

Local housing association customers can access help and support thanks to a new Community Hub launched at their scheme in Clarke Way, Skegness.

16th May 2023

MediShout secures £4.3m funding for growth

MediShout, the app for frontline hospital staff to resolve facilities and equipment issues, has secured £4.3 million in fundraising to support business growth, with the help of Nottingham law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

5th May 2023

Project D cooking-up super-expansion with launch of crowdfunding campaign

Investors are being invited to ‘join the inner ring’ as the UK’s fastest-growing doughnut brand Project D today launches its first crowdfunding campaign.

4th May 2023

Kitchen manufacturer, Interiors by Design has tools for growth

A significant investment in machinery and support from the Business Gateway Growth Hub is helping kitchen and bedroom manufacturer, Interiors by Design fight back in difficult trading conditions.

3rd May 2023

Tympa Health Technologies secures $23m to fund global expansion

Tympa Health Technologies, experts in hearing and ear health, has secured $23million in Series A Funding from Octopus Ventures, with the help of Nottingham-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

27th April 2023

Ridge secures £40m investment from Horizon Capital

Multi-disciplinary built environment consultancy Ridge and Partners LLP – which has 12 offices across the country including Leicester – has secured more than £40 million from Horizon Capital LLP, a specialist private equity investor in technology and prof

27th April 2023

Derby-based engineering services provider Watermark secures £250,000 funding package from MEIF Maven Debt Finance

Funds will support Derby-based wastewater and energy specialist’s investment drive to enhance its technology and systems

26th April 2023

Nottingham-based automotive supplier makes seven-figure facility investment

Vestatec UK, a leading specialist in metal forming and assembly, has announced a seven-figure investment to improve its manufacturing facility in Nottingham.

24th April 2023

Investment means TEK Seating is a cut above the competition

Leicestershire-based TEK Seating has invested £125,000 in new machinery to satisfy rising demand and take additional control of its production process. Increased competition for the vehicle seat manufacturer was also a driver to expanding its in-house cap

13th April 2023

LEICESTERSHIRE CHARITIES TO BENEFIT FROM £10,000 COMMUNITY FUND

Charities in Leicestershire are being invited to bid for a helping hand as homebuilder, Miller Homes, pledges to donate £10,000 through its Community Fund to good causes across the region this year.

12th April 2023

Free support worth £1,800 for export businesses through LLEP pilot with Santander

The LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub has joined forces with Santander to offer an exclusive package of products to local export businesses.

21st March 2023

Leicester goes all-electric with new bus depot thanks to Government funding boost

People across Leicester will enjoy greener, smoother and more reliable journeys as an extra 18 UK-made electric buses are rolled out thanks to £2.9 million in Government investment.

9th March 2023

Medigold Health acquires Health Management in bold move to become the UK’s largest independent Occupational Health Provider

Northamptonshire-based Medigold Health, a leading name in the UK occupational health sector, has today announced the successful acquisition of Health Management, in a move that will see the business become the country’s largest independent provider of wor

7th March 2023

LJCC pledges funds for new mortar mill for Leicester College construction students

Leicester College has received a £6,000 donation from the Leicestershire Joint Consultative Committee (LJCC) for the Building Industry to help fund the purchase of a new mortar mill to support a variety of students on Construction courses.

6th March 2023

Town Deal funding aims to support businesses in Staveley town centre

Businesses and charities are being invited to apply for funds to help improve their premises as part of a new scheme which will support the wider regeneration of Staveley town centre.

3rd March 2023

Baroness Karren Brady CBE enters year-long partnership with Simply Business to support the success of UK SMEs

Simply Business, one of the UK’s biggest providers of small business insurance, has announced a year-long partnership with Baroness Karren Brady CBE, as the company’s first ever Small Business Ambassador.

2nd March 2023

B-Sure Recycling’s £70k investment solves customers’ waste management problems

Leicestershire-based B-Sure Installations has invested over £70k to launch a new waste management company, B-Sure Recycling.

2nd March 2023

Data-driven marketing agency maximises Customer Lifetime Value with £26k investment from the MEIF

Silver Jet Insight, a data-driven marketing agency based in Northamptonshire, is ready to take off with a £26k loan.

16th February 2023

New investment fuels growth at Edwin James Group.

Edwin James Group has received a secondary investment from funds under management by private equity firm Aliter Capital LLP (Aliter). The significant deal will support the Group’s ambitious growth plans.

15th February 2023

100+ SME manufacturers have applied for £3m Made Smarter East Midlands

More than 150 businesses have now applied for Made Smarter East Midlands – with two-thirds already going forward to the next stage.

14th February 2023

University of Leicester to lead Midlands space cluster development

Leading experts in Leicestershire have secured a share of £6.5 million of funding from the UK Space Agency to drive forward the country’s space industry.

14th February 2023

Dozens of creative businesses apply for £1.3m Create Growth East Midlands

Fifty creative businesses have already applied for places on East Midlands Create Growth - just weeks after the £1.3 million programme went live.

9th February 2023

MACILDOWIE HOSTS ‘FUNDING FOR GROWTH’ EVENT HELPING BUSINESS LEADERS ACHIEVE GROWTH AMBITIONS IN 2023 AND BEYOND

Leading Midlands recruitment and retention agency, Macildowie is partnering with Tim Davis from the London Stock Exchange to host its ‘Funding for Growth’ event, sharing insights and expertise for businesses looking to expand.

8th February 2023

Qualitative Research Agency amplifies voices for insight with £34k investment

A Northampton-based qualitative research agency, Gobby, has successfully raised nearly £34k funding to take the business to the next stage of growth.

8th February 2023

Paediatric Occupational Therapist group Children’s Sensory Therapy receives funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance

Children’s Sensory Therapy Ltd. (“CST”), has secured a funding package from MEIF Maven Debt Finance which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (“MEIF”) and managed by Maven Capital Partners.

2nd February 2023

Start Up Loans celebrates 100K loans worth more than £941 million to businesses across the UK

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, announces that its programme has facilitated over 100,000 loans worth more than £941 million to businesses throughout the UK. The figure marks a significant milestone for the programme since its creation

2nd February 2023

Professional Cricketer secures £56k funding to grow his Sports Coaching Business to the next level

A Nottingham-based sports coaching company, Kaizen Sports Group, has successfully raised £56k funding for its business expansion.

25th January 2023

Mercia invests over £120m in 2022

Mercia Asset Management - one of the UK’s most active capital providers to SMEs - invested over £120m in 159 companies during 2022, with 79% going to businesses outside London.

20th January 2023

Nottingham spin-out raises almost £1m to commercialise Tourette’s wrist device

A new wrist device to help control Tourette’s Syndrome is a step closer to being commercialised after University of Nottingham spin-out company Neupulse raised almost £1m in additional funding.

19th January 2023

Environmental Marketing Company planning expansion secures £15k funding

A Lincoln-based environmental marketing company has secured £14,500 in funding to be used for creating two new jobs and developing a calculator tool.

18th January 2023

Environmental Marketing Company planning expansion secures £15k funding

A Lincoln-based environmental marketing company has secured £14,500 in funding to be used for creating two new jobs and developing a calculator tool.

18th January 2023

Notts biotech firm bolsters acquisitional growth

A Nottingham-based drug discovery services provider has accelerated its growth after completing its second acquisition in the space of a year.

16th January 2023

Nottingham start-up secures £325K investment for its solution to releasing seized nuts and bolts

University of Nottingham spinout, Scintam Engineering, has developed an innovative technology that uses electricity to help relieve a major problem faced within aerospace, automotive and other engineering industries.

12th January 2023

Sanitary Pad Manufacturing Plant Set to Improve the Lives of 50,000 Ugandan Girls and Women

Up to 50,000 Ugandan lives will be significantly improved after the Ugandan Red Cross Society partnered with a UK charitable foundation to build a manufacturing plant for re-usable sanitary pads.

21st December 2022

Derbyshire Wildlife trust has been named winner of TPP Recruitment’s Altogether Better Trustee Inclusive Recruitment Grant.

Applications for the third round of TPP’s Inclusive Recruitment Grants were invited from organisations interested in making their recruitment processes more inclusive. Two grants were available, one for a paid employee role and another for a Trustee role.

15th December 2022

SMEs invited to register interest in £3million Made Smarter fund

Growth Hubs have combined to win £3m of funding to help increase the skills and productivity of manufacturing businesses in the East Midlands.

13th December 2022

Leicester College secures over £5 million funding from Office for Students for three new higher education projects

Leicester College has secured Office for Students funding worth £5,395,187 from 2022-25 to deliver three major higher education capital projects across its main campuses in Leicester.

13th December 2022

Overseas investment into Midlands companies hits 22-year high - Deloitte

Between July 2022 and September 2022, the number of inbound cross-border deals for Midlands-based companies reached its highest level in 22 years, with 29 deals completed in Q3, according to the latest analysis from Deloitte’s Cross Border Deals Radar.

13th December 2022

LINCOLNSHIRE DAIRY FARM INVESTS IN NEW CARBON EFFICIENT COWSHED WITH SUPPORT FROM LLOYDS BANK

Lincolnshire-based dairy farm, White House Farm, has significantly increased its productivity after investing in a new carbon-efficient cowshed, using £1.05 million of funding from Lloyds Bank.

5th December 2022

Cawarden adds Komatsu excavator to portfolio following £600k funding from Paragon Bank

Derbyshire-based specialist contractor Cawarden has added a Komatsu high reach demolition excavator to its equipment portfolio, thanks to fresh funding from Paragon Bank.

30th November 2022

Resilience of Midlands’ mid-market businesses boosts BDO revenues by 11%

BDO has posted an 11% increase in revenues to £809m for the financial year 2021/22 with growth across all three of its service lines of audit, tax and advisory.

29th November 2022

Carbon neutral kitchen restaurant is making waves in a new era of dining

The Sustainable Kitchen has been making and selling vegan products since it first launched in 2022 with the support of the British Business Bank Start Up Loans programme.

29th November 2022

Midlands Engine Investment Fund invests £200m into region’s businesses

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) has now invested over £200m into Midlands businesses since its launch in 2017.

28th November 2022

Book donation gives paws for thought at Worksop infant school

Housebuilder Rippon Homes has added to the book collection at a school close to its development in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

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