Grants & Finance News - Love Business East Midlands

8th November 2025

Derby agency’s research set to close the gap between behavioural science and creativity

A Derby marketing agency has been awarded Government funding for a groundbreaking research project to help communications professionals create more effective behaviour change campaigns.

4th November 2025

Thomas Bow keeps construction moving with investment in new Fuel on the Go service

Nottingham-based civil engineering firm Thomas Bow has launched a new mobile fuelling service titled Fuel on the Go, making it easier for businesses with immobile plants to refuel machinery on the move.

3rd November 2025

Leicester-based retail design specialist expands into new warehouse with support from Lloyds

Edge Retail, the Leicester-based retail design specialist behind in-store activations for global brands including Prada, Maison Margiela, Sol de Janeiro and Kylie Cosmetics, has secured £1.89 million in funding from Lloyds

21st October 2025

£80 million invested into small Midland businesses

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II marks £80 million investment in small businesses across the Midlands

16th October 2025

National Institute for Health and Care Research awards Applied Research Collaborations £157 million

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced a £157 million investment over the next five years to support 10 NIHR Applied Research Collaborations

15th October 2025

Success Beyond Measure: Nottinghamshire Distillery Exceeds Crowdfunding Target

One of the UK’s most unique start-up businesses has smashed its crowdfunding target, marking a major milestone in its growth journey.

15th October 2025

Six Figure Deal Enables Gaming Company to Acquire Bingo Hall and Grow Online Presence

A Staffordshire-based gaming company has secured a six figure funding deal to grow its online presence in the gaming industry and expand its portfolio of UK venues by acquiring a new bingo hall in Suffolk.

9th October 2025

£150,000 CyberGrowth offers funded digital security help to East Midlands businesses

Applications are now open for a £150,000 programme offering practical support to boost the cyber resilience of regional businesses.

9th October 2025

Engineers raise £1.3m to bring ‘supermaterials’ to mass market

Two engineers who developed a novel way to make advanced heat-resistant materials while experimenting on their kitchen stove have raised £1.3m.

1st October 2025

University spin-out raises £2m from Midlands Engine Investment Fund II for gene-editing tool

A University of Nottingham spinout that has developed a novel gene-editing tool has raised £2m from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through its appointed fund manager, Mercia Ventures.

30th September 2025

Derbyshire Enviro experts launch new expansion with support from HSBC UK

A Derby-based environmental consultancy is set for growth after securing a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK.

30th September 2025

Maven backs Shawpak with £500,000 funding package through MEIF II

Shawpak Limited (“Shawpak”), a UK manufacturer of packaging equipment for medical devices, has secured a £500,000 debt funding package

25th September 2025

Nottinghamshire-based pet and home service secures £9,000 funding for new transport

Pet and Home Services, a bespoke pet sitting service, founded by animal-lover Alex Tobin, has secured £9,000 in funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. This funding has been used to purchase a car for easi

24th September 2025

Nottingham Building Society employees build their financial resilience this UK Savings Week

More than 540 colleagues at Nottingham Building Society now have access to 1-to-1 financial planning thanks to a new employer-funded workplace benefit provided by Octopus Money.

18th September 2025

£1billion investment in Northamptonshire’s AI industry

A £1billion investment in Northamptonshire has been welcomed by Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Vice Chancellor of University of Northampton (UON), as she calls on local businesses and partners to be prepared to capitalise on the investment.

15th September 2025

Space Park Leicester programme graduate lands £3.3m to seed growth

A graduate of Space Park Leicester’s prestigious ESA Business Centre (ESA-BIC) programme has secured £3.3 million in seed funding.

3rd September 2025

Leicestershire-based additional needs support service secures £15,000 funding

The Opportunity Club, a day and evening support group service based in Leicestershire, has secured £15,000 in funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

1st September 2025

LDC backs Bespoke Kitchen Foods to drive expansion

Bespoke Kitchen Foods (Bespoke), a leading provider of innovative vegetarian and vegan products for the pub and casual dining market, has secured investment from LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group.

19th August 2025

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II backs Lemon & Lime with six-figure funding package

Lemon & Lime, a home staging business based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, has secured a six-figure debt funding package from the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

19th August 2025

People of Notts Invited to Buy Stake in Local Rum Brand Poised for Global Sales

Locals are being invited to buy shares in one of the region’s fastest growing and unique start-up businesses, founded by one of the UK’s award-winning and globally acclaimed mixologists.

18th August 2025

Upperton Pharma Solutions Advancing Oral Vaccines Delivery with Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute

Upperton Pharma Solutions, a leading UK-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has been awarded a grant as part of the first VaxHub Sustainable Platform Funding Call

12th August 2025

Waterstones secures £125 million boost to support future growth

Waterstones, the UK’s leading high street bookseller, has recently increased their facilities to a £125 million package of syndicated financing, joint arranged by Barclays UK Corporate Bank and HSBC UK Bank plc.

12th August 2025

East Midlands Freeport sets out £1bn Investment Strategy and Business Plan to accelerate regional growth

East Midlands Freeport has published its first Investment Strategy and 2025/26 Business Plan, outlining how over £1 billion in funding will be used to drive infrastructure, skills and sustainable energy development across the region.

12th August 2025

Derbyshire-based business secures £2.3 million UKEF-backed facility to expand its exports to North America

Superior Wellness, the world’s fastest-growing manufacturer of wellness products, has secured a £2.3 million facility backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF) and NatWest Bank to accelerate its global expansion across the USA, Canada, Europe, and the Middle Eas

7th August 2025

Leicestershire-based clothing manufacturer secures over £14,000 in funding

REFLEKT Clothing, a sustainable clothing manufacturer based in Leicestershire, has received over £14,000 in funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

4th August 2025

Food and drink gift company secures £500k investment

Midlands luxury food and drink gift company, IMP & MAKER, has secured a £500,000 investment in a deal that values the business at £2m.

4th August 2025

Mills & Reeve advises on sale of Midlands energy company to overseas buyer

Leading UK law firm Mills & Reeve has advised on the sale of The Wilmott Group to Rehlko – a global leader in energy resilience.

28th July 2025

British Business Bank reaches £170m lending milestone in East Midlands under its Growth Guarantee Scheme

More than £170m of lending has been delivered to smaller businesses in the East Midlands under the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme over the last 12 months. The scheme has enabled 918 guaranteed facilities in the region.

22nd July 2025

First Enterprise injects £1.1M into the East Midlands through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II in one quarter

First Enterprise has successfully lent over £1.1m to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Midlands through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II in just the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

22nd July 2025

East Midlands - The British Business Bank's Annual Impact Report reveals £200 million boost to East Midlands economy

£200 million boost to East Midlands economy as 1,700 smaller businesses supported by British Business Bank

17th July 2025

Chesterfield businesses unlock over £170k in funding to upskill their workforce

Chesterfield businesses have accessed more than £170,000 in government funding through the Adult Apprenticeship Levy Transfer, helping them invest in their teams with little or no cost to their organisation.

14th July 2025

Hope on the horizon: Highfields Centre secures major investment to support young adults and create new jobs in Leicester

Highfields Centre in Leicester is proud to announce the launch of its new Highfields Outreach Project for Engagement (HOPE)

12th July 2025

Funding boost for next generation batteries that could transform transport

Research into the development of lithium-sulfur batteries, a promising next-generation battery for transport has received a share of £97 million investment.

11th July 2025

British Business Bank backs diverse and emerging fund managers with £500m package

Today the British Business Bank has announced a new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative which will support diverse and emerging fund managers

10th July 2025

Hope on the horizon: Highfields Centre secures major investment to support adults and create new jobs in Leicester

Highfields Centre in Leicester is proud to announce the launch of its new Highfields Outreach Project for Engagement (HOPE)—a powerful three-year initiative that will transform the lives of 360 young adults aged 16 to 30 from disadvantaged communities in

9th July 2025

Historic garden centre branches out with £4m expansion at Sleaford site

Pennells Garden Centres, a family business with roots dating back to 1780, is expanding its Sleaford site in a £4 million redevelopment project, backed by funding from Lloyds.

4th July 2025

Paragon Bank provides £8m funding package for Loughborough PBSA scheme

Paragon Bank has provided an £8 million funding package to experienced SME developer Six Degrees, part of 9 Property Group, to support the refinance and development of a 100-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Loughborough.

27th June 2025

Pharmacy prescribes healthy growth thanks to HSBC UK funding

Derbyshire-based Peak Pharmacy, one of the UK’s leading pharmacy chains, has secured an eight-figure refinancing package from HSBC UK to help power its ambitious growth plans.

24th June 2025

More than £90m of equity investment raised by East Midlands smaller businesses in 2024

More than £90 million of equity investment was raised by smaller businesses across the East Midlands in 2024

23rd June 2025

First Enterprise empowers UK businesses with £2M Community ENABLE Funding programme in first month

First Enterprise announced it has successfully deployed £2 million in funding through the Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme in just one month of operation, supporting 12 businesses across the UK.

23rd June 2025

Henry Brothers Construction appointed on £25m world-class Global Conservation Centre

Contractor Henry Brothers Construction has been selected to deliver a new £25million Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire.

23rd June 2025

East Midlands to benefit from £2.6bn investment in small business growth as British Business commits £6.6bn to UK’s modern Industrial Strategy

Today, the Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade announced that £6.6bn of new capital is being committed by the British Business Bank to boost growth

21st June 2025

Finance For Enterprise Backs Entrepreneur’s Vision for Synergy Beauty Expansion

£50k loan enables entrepreneur to revitalise and expand award-winning beauty business

20th June 2025

Nottingham and Leeds secures £1.8m EPSRC award to transform pharmaceutical manufacturing

A groundbreaking project to revolutionise pharmaceutical manufacturing has been awarded £1.8 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

19th June 2025

Northamptonshire-based virtual assistant agency secures £75,000 funding to expand support for entrepreneurs

Admin & More, a virtual assistant agency, has secured £75,000 in funding from the Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme through First Enterprise, to scale its operations and enhance its impact across the UK.

3rd June 2025

Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership is two years’ old!

The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership has marked its two-year milestone with the appointment of a new chair.

29th May 2025

Northamptonshire-based independent veterinary service secures £50,000 in funding for equipment and website advertising

Mobile Vet Referral, an independent freelance veterinary service, has secured £50,000 of funding from First Enterprise

27th May 2025

Derby furniture project launches with cash support from Severn Trent

A new project offering essential furniture and electrical items to people across Derby is now fully up and running — thanks to a £46,200 grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund.

21st May 2025

Howes Percival advises Bluesky International on acquisition by US firm, Woolpert

Leading law firm Howes Percival's has acted on the sale of the aerial survey specialist Bluesky International to US firm Woolpert.

21st May 2025

Charities across the East Midlands are urged to apply for funding

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced that its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to support community initiatives across the CrossCountry network is now open for applications.

21st May 2025

Freeths secures compensation for victims of Post Office data breach

Top 50 law firm Freeths has led the way in securing vital interim compensation for the sub-postmasters affected after the Post Office leaked confidential information of the original 555 claimants from the Horizon scandal.

20th May 2025

Nottinghamshire-based accounting firm secures £25,000 in funding for administrative support

Bright Beany Accounting, a bespoke and hands-on accounting firm based in Nottinghamshire, has received £25,000 in funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

19th May 2025

First Enterprise Launches £13m Fund to Support Underserved UK SMEs under the new Community ENABLE Funding programme

First Enterprise has launched a new £13m lending initiative to support UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are unable to access finance from traditional banks and high street lenders.

16th May 2025

British Business Bank announces Midlands-based First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans as accredited lender for Community ENABLE Funding

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans will provide up to £13m of lending to Midlands-based smaller businesses.

15th May 2025

Talent and innovation grants available for local businesse to access expertise

A programme of grants and support for local businesses is being rolled out by the city’s two universities that provide access to a wealth of talent and expertise to help drive innovation, productivity and skills in the city.

14th May 2025

Cronofy secures £15m BGF investment to supercharge growth

Cronofy, a UK-based provider of embedded scheduling infrastructure, has secured a £15 million investment from BGF, one of the UK and Ireland's most active growth capital investors.

9th May 2025

Elk, bison & beaver: Rewilding Britain award funding to projects exploring return of lost species

Funding is being awarded from Rewilding Britain to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts for a joint project exploring bringing back elk to Britain.

30th April 2025

East Midlands business confidence falls in April

Business confidence in the East Midlands fell seven points during April to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.

29th April 2025

UK scientists to tackle AI’s surging energy costs with atom-thin semiconductors

A team of UK scientists at the University of Nottingham, Queen Mary University of London, and University of Glasgow has received a £6 million EPSRC programme grant on energy efficient

29th April 2025

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II Supports CompuWeb with £500,000

CompuWeb Communications Services Ltd (“CWCS”), a Nottingham-based provider of managed cloud hosting and data centre services, has secured a £500,000 debt finance investment package

25th April 2025

First Enterprise celebrates £13m milestone in supporting Midlands small businesses in 2024/25

First Enterprise, a prominent Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), proudly announces a significant milestone, having disbursed £13 million in loans during the financial year ending 31 March 2025.

25th April 2025

Housing association secures £8million to help fund energy efficiency improvements for customers

A Nottinghamshire housing association has provisionally secured almost £8million in grant funding to support vital energy improvements in its customers’ homes, as part of the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund – or WHSHF – Wave 3.

23rd April 2025

£100K Energy Efficient Upgrade Accelerates Output

A leading Burton-on-Trent-based roofing system manufacturer is investing in new machinery to speed up output to meet continued market demand.

1st April 2025

Nottingham-based holistic skincare company secures £26,000 funding for growth

Tri-Dosha, a holistic training and product supplier specialising in Ayurvedic-inspired skincare solutions, has secured £26,000 in funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, to enhance its operations and sustain its growth.

21st March 2025

Revesby Country Fair offers £1,000 to young people working in the countryside

The Revesby Rural Activities Fund has doubled its grants for people up to the age of 25 in Lincolnshire

12th March 2025

Lincolnshire business secures £8k funding to help families and spotlight estate planning

Westwood Estate Planning, a personalised estate planning business, has secured £8,000 funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme

26th February 2025

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II celebrates 100 deal milestone one year after launch

The British Business Bank's Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has marked over 100 deals across the whole of the Midlands.

14th February 2025

Chesterton House Foundation Grants £1,000 to Charnwood Eco Hub to Support Sustainability

Charnwood Eco Hub is a not-for-profit, shared community hub based in Loughborough, with the aim of providing a space to meet, make, fix, create and share sustainable ideas and resources.

14th February 2025

Immersive technology company secures six-figure investment from Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

Digital Urban Limited (“DU”), an innovative immersive technology business focused on urban regeneration, has secured a £250,000 debt finance package from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II via Fund Manager for East and South East Midlands, Maven Capit

5th February 2025

East Midlands market broke £2bn in 2024 report reveals

East Midlands has 'reasons to be cheerful' says leading economist amid a surge in commercial property investment

4th February 2025

Handmade leather goods store in Derbyshire secures £6,000 in funding from Start Up Loans

A handmade leather goods company based in Derbyshire, has secured £6,000 from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to purchase new stock and grow its operations.

4th February 2025

British Business Bank agrees over £100m ENABLE Guarantee transaction with LE Capital and Paragon Bank

The British Business Bank has agreed to use its ENABLE Guarantee programme to support a senior facility of up to £100m provided by Paragon Bank to LE Capital.

30th January 2025

Grantham Industries secures £500,000 facility from Paragon Bank to support Rutland waste site acquisition

Lincolnshire-based waste management, earthmoving and demolition company Grantham Industries has secured a £500,000 finance facility from Paragon Bank’s SME Lending division to support the purchase of a commercial waste site in Rutland.

30th January 2025

Lincolnshire-based ADHD coaching business secures £5,000 to improve operations

ADHD Focus, an ADHD coaching business based in Lincolnshire, has received £5,000 funding through First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to improve its operations and hire further support.

22nd January 2025

Leicester announces national launch of major arts exhibition

Leicester announces national launch of major arts exhibition, as UK Government unveils £60 million boost for creative industries

20th January 2025

Leicestershire-based learning and development company receives £15,000 funding for marketing and brand development

The Gleevolution Factory, a learning and development company has secured £15,000 funding from First Enterprise

18th January 2025

University of Nottingham and Jampa's partnership to pioneer future of plant-based protein products

Researchers in the Division of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Nottingham have been awarded funding to develop the next generation of plant-based protein products.

17th January 2025

Derbyshire’s Mystery Jersey King nets £50K investment

Alex Street, founder of South Normanton-based company, Mystery Jersey King, has scored a £50K investment from Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies to fuel the growth of his unique football shirt business.

15th January 2025

Leicestershire-based sustainable decorations start-up secures £25,000 in funding for business growth

Spot Dec, a sustainable decorations company based in Leicestershire, has secured £25,000 in funding from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

14th January 2025

£1.4m 'cutting' edge investment signals confident future for Notts packaging firm

A Nottingham-based packaging giant has bolstered its current machinery fleet by investing in a £1.4m die-cutter.

17th December 2024

Invest in Nottingham Delivers Outstanding Support of Nottinghamshire Economy

Invest in Nottingham, the inward investment arm of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, has reported an exceptional Return on Investment (ROI) of £139 for every £1 invested into the organisation during the 3 year period to March 2024.

17th December 2024

Road angel drives expansion with seven-figure deal from HSBC UK

Nottingham-based In Phase International, manufacturer of the award-winning Road Angel dash cameras and the UK’s leading road speed awareness device, has secured a seven-figure deal with HSBC UK to fuel its ambitious growth strategy and international expan

17th December 2024

Eddisons leads £3m project for Derbyshire special schools expansion

Multi-disciplinary property group Eddisons has helped to secure over £3m of funding for three Derbyshire schools to improve and expand teaching and auxiliary facilities at the three sites, increasing the number of places for children with special educatio

16th December 2024

Uni of Nottingham Spin Out Secures £340k for Electric Car Technology

Uni spin-out secures £340,000 investment to transform efficiency of electric vehicles and accelerate the journey to NetZero with groundbreaking power electronics

12th December 2024

Maven Capital Partners Boosts Lincoln-Based Panoramix with £250k to Drive International Growth

12th December 2024

Smaller businesses backed by the Start Up Loans programme have higher survival rates finds independent evaluation

Smaller businesses backed by the government’s Start Up Loans programme have higher survival rates than other businesses, finds an independent evaluation, conducted by SQW working in partnership with Professor Mark Hart, Qa Research and The Data City.

5th December 2024

Lincolnshire luxury food and drink gift company secures £200,000 funding for growth

IMP & MAKER, a luxury food and drink gift company, has secured £200,000 in funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) and Regional Growth Fund (RF Fund)

27th November 2024

Micromix sows seeds of success with HSBC UK Investment

A Nottingham-based manufacturer of plant micronutrients and biostimulants is investing in growth with the purchase of new machinery thanks to a £235,000 funding package from HSBC UK.

27th November 2024

British Business Bank announces Community ENABLE Funding programme to increase the availability of funding to social impact sector lenders

The British Business Bank today launches the Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme, which is designed to increase the availability of funding to social impact sector lenders, and the smaller businesses they serve in local communities across the UK’s Na

27th November 2024

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II invests over £17 million into region’s businesses

The British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has committed over £17m in the Midlands in its first nine months, leveraging a further £10m from the private sector to help the region’s small and medium-sized businesses to start up, scale up

25th November 2024

FundingHero Launches New East Midlands Fundraising Accelerator, Partnering With Haatch’s Early-stage East Midlands Fund.

The FundingHero team is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new High Growth Fundraising Accelerator programme, commencing in January 2025—this time in the East Midlands!

23rd November 2024

Bluecoat Aspley Academy Secures £41,000 for Biodiversity Project

Nottingham’s Bluecoat Aspley Academy’s Eco Committee has been awarded a £41,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Wilding Campuses project, delivered by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK).

21st November 2024

Plastic packaging firm invest in new machine to secure future growth

A Leicester based plastic packaging manufacturer has invested in a new blow moulding machine to boost efficiency and support the growth of the business.

15th November 2024

Restaurant revamp brings taste of Spanish sunshine to Mercia Marina

A six-figure investment is set to take a much-loved bar and restaurant to new heights at one of the Midlands’ most popular tourist and beauty spots.

15th November 2024

Second cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs announced

TEN aspiring entrepreneurs have become the second cohort chosen to take part in Northamptonshire’s Vulcan Creatives business incubation programme.

14th November 2024

Major Boost for a joined up visitor economy strategy for the East Midlands

In a first of its kind, at its meeting on Monday 4 November, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board agreed to develop a regional approach to delivering a thriving visitor economy for the East Midlands.

13th November 2024

Successful scientist training programme receives £14m boost

A successful programme to train the next generation of Nottingham bioscientists from the city’s two universities has secured £14 million funding from UK Research and Innovation. (UKRI)

6th November 2024

Firm focus on decarbonisation and digital adoption for Leicester Accelerator

Leicester city businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of fully funded business support to help develop and implement a decarbonisation plan or new-to-the-firm technology.