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Operate more efficiently

Successfully running a small business requires a great deal of time, energy, money, and other resources. If you want to increase your chances for success, you will need to focus on making your business as efficient as possible.

You can improve productivity by delegating work, remaining focused, utilising tools, automating processes, and welcoming change.

Business grants

The Manufacturing Growth programme

The Manufacturing Growth programme supports established small and medium enterprise manufacturers through a consultancy approach. They help to identify growth needs, create practical plans, and then can assist businesses to move towards increasing competitiveness and productivity.

Eligible businesses will have access to some capital funding, to pay towards 30% of agreed project costs, up to a maximum of £10,000.

Business Investment Fund

This fund supports businesses with growth projects that will improve productivity and operational efficiencies. You can get a grant of up to 30% of your eligible project costs to a maximum of £30,000. 

Projects can include digital developments, specialist consultancy such as leadership and management, and equipment purchases. The D2N2 Growth Hub manages the Business Investment fund.

If you are interested in this grant you will need to contact Dawn Fear or Alison North (local Growth Hub advisors) before making an application. They can help you clarify if this grant is suitable for your needs.

The ARC Project

Small and medium enterprises in Hucknall and Nottingham City area can get free carbon reduction advice, and access to a grant which can cover up to 35% of eligible projects costs to a maximum of £16,000.

This can be used to support low carbon energy efficiency projects.

Support from Universities

Enscite

Enscite helps small and medium enterprises to develop supply chains. There is a range of free business support services for businesses in aerospace, rail and automotive supply chain.

Businesses can access a series of online funded learning lab workshops, which have been specifically designed for challenges that they may face within this sector.

Grant funding is also available for any small or medium enterprises in this sector employing a recent graduate for a particular project to help improve competitiveness and productivity. With the Knowledge Exchange and Innovation (KEI) fund a business can get £5950 towards the cost of employing the graduate.

Enscite is a partnership between the University of Derby and Aston University.

Energy for Business

Energy for Business is a low-carbon innovation project from the University of Nottingham. They help small and medium sized businesses with product research and development, business support and have some capital funding/grants to help businesses to become low carbon business.

Grants are available of up to £8000 or 40% of eligible project costs. Minimum projects to be considered are £2500, to maximum of £20,000.

The Sustainability in Enterprise project

Nottingham Trent University offers practical support and funding to reduce the carbon emissions of eligible Nottingham small and medium enterprises based in Hucknall only.

Small and medium businesses can access free, practical support from specialists in sustainable business operations, building management, product design, and employee engagement. The idea is to help businesses understand their current carbon emissions are and identify effective carbon reduction measures. You can attend carbon management workshops, find out what your carbon footprint is and apply for a grant worth up to £5000 to support the implementation of eligible carbon reduction measures that increase energy efficiencies. 

The De-Carbonise programme

This project helps small and medium enterprises in Nottinghamshire to save money by reducing energy costs, carbon emissions and increase their sustainability.

Whilst there aren't any grants available for businesses in Nottinghamshire, there is a wide range of information and technical advice available on how to make your business greener and more energy efficient.

The project is a collaboration between Derby University, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Councils.

EMC North Nottingham Manufacturing Network

The East Midlands Chamber Manufacturing Networks builds on the success of the respected Nottingham Manufacturing Network (NMN). It is a peer-to-peer membership organisation consisting of a diverse range of manufacturing businesses. They are keen to promote growth in manufacturing and help members to address commercial problems. It’s completely free to join, but you must be a manufacturer.