Growth Support Programmes
In addition to the Government backed Business Growth Service, there are some other options available to support your business growth, outlined below.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a great way to access certain expertise and specialisms to enable your business to grow and develop new innovative products and services.
KTPs are a three-way partnership between businesses, an academic institution and a graduate, lasting between 6 months and 3 years depending on the business needs. In return for accessing the specialist knowledge, small and medium sized enterprises are required to contribute one third of the costs incurred, whereas large businesses will provide half of the costs.
Further information on how you can apply is available through the KTPs website (external link)
Innovate UK funding
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency; working with people, companies and partners to find and drive the science and technology innovations. Since 2007, they have invested over £1.5bn in innovation matched by £1.5bn in partner and business funding; creating 35,000 extra new jobs and adding £7.5bn to the UK economy.
To find out about upcoming funding competitions to see if your business may be eligible, please visit the Innovate UK website (external link).
For further details on the process and key sectors supported visit GOV.UK (external link).
ICAEW Guidance
The Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW) provides a range of support tools and advisory documents on its website, to help new and established businesses in a number of areas, including growth.
This includes a ‘Business Advice Service’ which includes a number of free guides and support documents; available on the ICAEW Business Advice Service website (external link).
Guides include:
- The Business Finance Guide
- Guide to Starting a Business
- Run a Successful Business
- Growing your Business
- Crowdfunding Explained
- Trade Finance and Credit Insurance
These can be found in the Growth Hub section of the ICAEW website (external link).
Further information about expanding your business is available for the below areas:
- Additional Funding
- Expansion and Restructuring
- Exporting Opportunities
- Exit or Sales Strategies
These can be found on the Growing your business page of the ICAEW website (external link)
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) connects innovators with manufacturers, distributors, co-developers and suppliers overseas. Through their expert advisors, they support businesses looking to commercialise new ideas and succeed in new markets.
At no cost, they are able to advise on:
- Going International: connecting with potential business partners across Europe
- Access to funding and finance
- Technology Collaborations
- Intellectual Property and Patents
- EU Law
Their website includes a search tool to find partners, as well as details for upcoming events.
For further information as well as contact details for their agents visit the EEN website (external link).