Grants & Finance News - Love Business East Midlands

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.

31st October 2024

Unique Nottinghamshire partnership helps to deliver investment worth millions of pounds

A dynamic partnership spearheaded by Nottinghamshire County Council has helped to deliver 3,511 community-boosting projects and £394 million worth of investment since its ground-breaking launch.

30th October 2024

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II announces investment in Leicestershire-based independent manufacturer

Advance Tapes, a manufacturer of specialist adhesive tapes, has taken the next step in its growth journey, securing a large debt investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.

24th October 2024

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust awarded £100,000 to support farming for nature

A Derbyshire Wildlife Trust project to support farmers and landowners to generate sustainable income, whilst facilitating nature’s recovery, has been awarded £100,000 by a pioneering government fund.  

23rd October 2024

World-leading researcher named as Turing fellow

A leading AI researcher from the University of Nottingham has been awarded £6m to lead bold new work aiming to help AI better enable humans to make meaning of the themselves and the world, and AI itself by combining art and the body.

21st October 2024

Clarke Willmott issues property refinance warning

Businesses looking to refinance or buy commercial property and hoping to take advantage of any potential upcoming interest rate cuts are being urged to ensure their business records are up to date.

18th October 2024

Business owners locked in “race against time” against Autumn Budget tax hikes, says tax expert

With the UK Government’s Autumn Budget fast approaching, a Midlands-based tax expert says that many business owners and investors are racing to finalise transactions under the current regime before potential tax hikes take effect.

17th October 2024

Use of external finance in East Midlands increases, as small businesses remain cautiously optimistic on the economy

The British Business Bank’s fourth Nations and Regions Tracker, published today, finds usage of external finance has increased to almost half (48%) of smaller businesses in the East Midlands - up 13 percentage points on the previous year.

10th October 2024

New banking kiosk set to open in Market Harborough

Market Harborough Building Society is bringing banking services back to the high street this month (October) for hundreds of people who have seen their bank close in recent times.

9th October 2024

Local company continues in its commitment to sustainability with £700,000 investment

Corby-based company See Limited has invested £700,000 into its distribution arm, Performance Panels, to drastically improve its environmental footprint while also revolutionising the day-to-day working operations at its distribution facility in Halifax, W

4th October 2024

SEO platform set for expansion with intellectual property loan

Leicestershire’s Hike SEO, a digital marketing platform which guides small businesses with little to no knowledge of SEO to the top of search engine rankings, has secured a £250,000 intellectual property-backed loan from NatWest to support its growth plan

26th September 2024

Puma Property Finance facilitates £17m loan to fund new care home in Thurnby, Leicester

Puma Property Finance (“Puma”) today announces it has facilitated a £17m loan to Cinnamon Luxury Care to deliver a new 73-bed care home in Thurnby, Leicester.

24th September 2024

Up to £2.5 million On Offer for Lincolnshire Agri-Food Businesses

Agri-tech and food technology businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will be able to apply for grants totalling up to £2.5 million to support innovation and growth when the next round of the Launchpad programme for Eastern England opens.

16th September 2024

BRITISH BUSINESS BANK’S START UP LOANS PROGRAMME REVEALS ITS 2024 AMBASSADOR FOR THE EAST MIDLANDS

Alexandra Perry, founder of H.E.R Bodywear, who designs and sells bodywear for women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer or cosmetic breast surgery is among 14 business owners announced today as Start Up Loans’ 2024/25 Ambassadors.

15th September 2024

Promethean Particles outlines its plans to help tackle climate change as it hosts a visit from its local MP

A Nottingham chemical manufacturing company outlined how it is taking the next step to help the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change, water scarcity and accelerate the energy transition away from fossil fuels when it hosted a visit from its local MP.

4th September 2024

Lincolnshire-based brunch café chain secures £25,000 funding to launch fourth location

A vibrant brunch café chain based in Lincolnshire, has secured £25,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme to expand their business with a fourth location under a new brand name, Juni

4th September 2024

Businesses needed to boost routes into careers in growing digital sectors

The Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub has secured funding to deliver a two-year project across the region helping to bring new talent to emerging digital sectors.

2nd September 2024

E-commerce fulfilment company raises £2m to meet growing demand

Warehow, a rapidly expanding e-commerce fulfilment company catering to fashion and homeware retailers, has raised £2.1m in a Series A funding round led by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through its appointed fund manager Mercia Ventures, with supp

28th August 2024

Ettos, Nottingham-Based Start-Up, Secures Innovate UK Grant for Textile Traceability Platform

Ettos, a local tech start-up based in Nottingham, has secured a prestigious grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, as part of their Creative Catalyst programme.

20th August 2024

£500,000 INVESTMENT FOR MORLEY HAYES

Derbyshire hotel and golf complex, Morley Hayes, has embarked on a £500,000 investment programme to improve facilities for its customers and reinforce its green credentials.

19th August 2024

Wilkins Group presses forward with £3.6m investment

An award-winning packaging firm has invested £3.6m in peak performance equipment, securing its future as the biggest family run company in its sector.

19th August 2024

Multimillion Burton Factory on Track

Pioneering roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles’ largest ever investment remains on track at its Nicolson Way site in Burton, with the final stage of construction and fit out now underway.

15th August 2024

Bridging the gap: Willington wildlife has got visitors walking in circles for nature

Nestled on the edge of Willington village, a rich wetland habitat that has been quietly reclaimed as a haven for wildlife is now even easier for people to visit and enjoy nature through a new project to make it more connected.

15th August 2024

Nottingham-based digital construction design management company receives £15,000 funding boost for technological expansion

Imajin, a Digital Construction Design Management firm from Nottingham, has secured £15,000 in funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

14th August 2024

Climate tech company Promethean Particles secures £8 million Series A investment to scale-up advanced MOF manufacturing

Promethean Particles, a chemical manufacturing company specialising in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), has closed a £8m financing round.

8th August 2024

Northern Lincolnshire Environmental Farmers Group gets the backing of leading law firm

The new cooperative for environmentally-minded farmers is now looking for more members

6th August 2024

Start Up Loans passes £150m funding milestone in the Midlands delivering more than 15,000 loans

The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has announced it has passed a major milestone of £150 million worth of loans delivered in the Midlands region, providing over 6,000 loans to entrepreneurs within the East Midlands.

5th August 2024

Inner City Youth Festival To Grow After Securing Arts Council Funding

The inner city music and arts festival for young people in Nottingham is set to expand after securing standalone funding for the first time in its sixth year history.

29th July 2024

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II commits over £1.3 million in small business loans to East and South East Midlands businesses

The British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has agreed over £1.3 million in small business loans through appointed fund manager for the East and South East Midlands First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans.

26th July 2024

Careers Hub awarded £450k to grow successful SEND project

Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub has been awarded £450,000 to scale a successful project working with teenagers with special educational needs or disabilities.

26th July 2024

4D Medicine raises £3.4m for unique biomaterial platform

4D Medicine – a Nottingham-based company whose innovative biomaterial has potential to be used for a wide range of 3D printed implants and surgical devices - has raised £3.4m ($4.4m) in a Series A investment.

23rd July 2024

Midlands Engine Investment Fund II announces first major equity deal

The British Business Bank has announced the first deal from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, with a £1 million equity investment in True Position Robotics, facilitated by the appointed fund manager for the East and South East Midlands, Mercia Ventu

23rd July 2024

Local business support boosted with launch of Early Stage Angel Investment Fund

‘Early stage’ businesses based in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire can now pitch to access new funding to support growth.

11th July 2024

BDO advises on international deals as US private equity targets Midlands businesses

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has advised on two US-led transactions, highlighting the appetite for quality Midlands businesses by strategic US buyers.

11th July 2024

Smaller businesses in the East Midlands secure £109m in equity investment in 2023

10th July 2024

Metric Search secures multi-million BGF investment to drive US growth

Specialist recruitment company Metric Search has secured a multi-million-pound investment from BGF, one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland.

10th July 2024

AIM’s Bespoke Provision now funded by the Adult Skills Fund

Thanks to new flexibilities in the government's Adult Skills Fund (ASF) for 2024-2025, non-regulated, tailored learning provision like AIM’s Bespoke offer now qualifies for Adult Skills funding.

1st July 2024

Nottinghamshire cable firm eyes global growth after securing a £340,000 funding deal to acquire manufacturing HQ

A Nottinghamshire-based manufacturer and global supplier of cables and controls is eyeing further growth and safeguarding the future of its locally skilled workforce, after securing a major funding deal to help purchase a £550,000 industrial unit and busi

19th June 2024

East Mids law firm selected for major housing consortium’s relaunched legal panel

Following a competitive tender process, East Midlands law firm Shakespeare Martineau has secured a place on the Communities and Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) legal services framework.

19th June 2024

East Midlands scale ups attracted more than $36 million in Q1 2024

Innovative businesses in the East Midlands attracted $36 million across 13 deals in venture capital (VC) funding in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest KPMG Private Enterprise Venture Pulse report.

30th May 2024

£8m angel investment fund for early-stage East Midlands companies

The local enterprise partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2 LEP) has announced the launch of an £8 million investment fund for ‘early-stage’ businesses.

23rd May 2024

D2N2 LEP Chair, Elizabeth Fagan, launches £8m Early Stage Angel Investment Fund at UKREiiF

D2N2 LEP Chair Elizabeth Fagan announced the launch of D2N2 LEP’s Early Stage Angel Investment Fund at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds yesterday.

21st May 2024

Housebuilder’s multi-million-pound investment helps create thriving communities across East Midlands

An East Midlands housebuilder has pumped more than £3.5million into improving local communities.

18th May 2024

£3.1 million loan to acquire student accommodation site in Nottingham

A £3.1 million loan has been provided to facilitate the acquisition of a 210-studio purpose-built student accommodation site just north of Nottingham City Centre, specialist development finance lender Atelier has today announced.

17th May 2024

Paragon Bank Supports Elevate Property Group with a £21.1m funding facility for the second phase of Derby development

Elevate Property Group has secured a £21.1m funding facility from Paragon Bank to support the second phase of its Silk Yard development in Liversage Street, Derby.

2nd May 2024

High-tech Agricultural Projects Win Government Funding

Two high-tech agricultural businesses in Greater Lincolnshire have been offered funding from a new national £7.5 million pot to support innovation and growth.

29th April 2024

Locate Bio Raises £9.2 Million to Progress LDGraft Clinical Study for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Locate Bio, a pioneering orthobiologics company, today announces the successful completion of an oversubscribed £9.2 million funding round from both new investors and existing investors, Mercia Ventures and BGF.

26th April 2024

New competitions to back next wave of AI innovations

Small and medium sized businesses developing AI solutions in high-growth industries including agrifood, construction, transport and logistics, and the creative industries could receive a share of £7 million as two new competitions launch today (Friday 26t

25th April 2024

Nottingham College goes green with £2.6million funding for decarbonisation roll out

Nottingham College has been awarded a significant grant of over £2.6million, in a successful bid to fund decarbonisation and energy efficiency initiatives across its estate over the next two years.

20th April 2024

Base 51 charity receives funding from Global’s Make Some Noise to expand OutBurst, its LGBTQIA+ Youth Club

Base 51, Nottingham’s leading youth charity, is excited to relaunch OutBurst, its LGBTQIA+ youth group, with an expanded service in April 2024.

16th April 2024

Eddisons secures £1.2m funding for Derby schools buildings improvements

Property consultant Eddisons has secured more than £1.2m of funding on behalf of the Odyssey Collaborative Trust, which runs seven primary schools in Derby, to improve buildings across four of its schools in the city.

9th April 2024

New Talent and Innovation Grants on offer to help local businesses take advantage of university expertise and drive innovation

Nottingham-based businesses are being offered the chance to access the wealth of talent and expertise available through the two universities on their doorstep

28th March 2024

Derby-based heart health screening company secures £25,000 funding to launch a new stroke screening service

Your Heart Scan, a Derby-based heart health screening company, has secured £25,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to purchase a specialised machine for the launching of a new ser

24th March 2024

Lewisham Council Awarded £132,000 in funding to Combat Air Pollution Near Schools

Lewisham Council has received £132,532 in funding from Round 4 of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. This funding will be used to introduce a new Roadvent in the borough.

20th March 2024

EDGE delivers first football foundation playzone under new framework

The Premier League, The FA and government’s Football Foundation has opened the first PlayZone in Normanton Park, Derby, thanks to a £180k grant from the UK’s biggest sports charity.

20th March 2024

Transition begins after LLEP helps bring £860m into Leicester and Leicestershire

The impact of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) over the last 13 years was celebrated during an event at the National Space Centre.

12th March 2024

Funding to train next generation of chemists to take the East Midlands towards net zero

The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have been awarded funding for a centre that will train chemists of the future to find new ways to decarbonise manufacturing sectors, and help the East Midlands achieve its net zero target.

12th March 2024

Funding award for Nottingham project set to reduce CO2 emissions through AI

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have received a share of one billion pounds for a project aiming to reduce CO2 emissions through the creation of an AI model that will improve the accuracy of short-range weather forecasting for photovoltaic (PV

26th February 2024

MEIF Maven Debt Finance celebrates 100th funding milestone with nationwide home staging firm

A home staging firm, based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, has secured £250,000 backing from MEIF Maven Debt Finance, which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), and backed by the British Business Bank (“BBB”) to accelerate the continued growth

22nd February 2024

Investment provides ingredients to bring new products to the table

Investment in the latest technology and equipment will allow experts at the University of Nottingham to enhance support for East Midlands food and drink businesses.

15th February 2024

Lincolnshire Institute of Technology secures additional £2.5 million investment

The Lincolnshire Institute of Technology (LIoT) has secured a further £2.5m investment from the second phase of the HigherTechnical Education Skills Injection fund after securing an initial £500,000 in the first round.