Running a business comes with constant challenges—whether it’s scaling up, refining your strategy, or managing day-to-day operations. 1-1 business support gives you tailored advice, expert insights, and a clear action plan to help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals faster.

Instead of generic solutions, you get guidance specific to your industry, challenges, and ambitions—saving you time, money, and stress.

Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, personalised support can be the key to unlocking your next level of success.

Book your 1-1 Business Support via the link on this page: growingravesham.co.uk/support

Locate in Kent is funded and supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, local councils, the Kent Developers Group, Kent Housing and Development Group and partners from the private sector to promote Kent and Medway as a prime location for business and support the creation of new jobs.  Locate in Kent delivers confidential advice, expert business support and access to their network to unlock investment for employers expanding or relocating. Locate in Kent is a first point of call for any international enterprise coming to the UK.

For more information about Locate in Kent, call +44 1732 520700, email [email protected] or visit www.locateinkent.com

Whatever you make, make it smarter

Made Smarter is a government-funded push to drive growth in South East manufacturing SMEs, helping them boost productivity and increase their competitive edge through new digital technologies.

Made Smarter South East Technical Experts will provide advice and support to manufacturing businesses, makers and creators to help them switch to advanced and automated technologies. The pilot programme will run until March 31st 2026 and provide match-funding, specialist advice, leadership training and student placements. Helping small and medium-sized businesses – and the people in them – keep their competitive edge while boosting the South East economy.

It’s launching 1st April. Join the wait list for a free, personalised assessment by registering now at Digital transformation support in the South East | Made Smarter

A sustainability training programme for horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses in Kent and Medway.

Reduce your carbon footprint and make your business grow greener.

Our tailored support will help you move towards net zero carbon emissions, find value from your waste materials, or help reduce your inputs and resources.

Your training will take place over three months, you will then be invited to apply for a small grant to help you achieve your net zero goals.

• Grant of up to £7k
• Accredited training and professional qualification
• Environmental sustainability assessment
• Personalised action plan
• Networking and events.

This flexible training programme will enable you to fit the support around your busy schedule. If you want to reduce energy costs, improve your environmental credentials and join a network of sustainable businesses in Kent and Medway, don’t miss out.

Online Briefing

If you’d like to find out more about Growing Green, join our webinar on Thursday 30th January at 9.30am. We’ll explain what is involved and how to apply.

Register for the webinar

The programme will run over three months and is open to micro, small and medium-sized businesses, registered or trading in Kent and Medway.

Places are limited. Each group will start on the following dates:

• Group one: February 2025
• Group two: April 2025
• Group three: May 2025
• Group four: June 2025

Applications now open 

Ashford Borough Council have partnered with East Kent Colleges to deliver a range of fully funded courses for those over the age of 19 who live in, and those who are employed by a company registered in the Ashford Borough Council region.

From Green Skills to Coaching and Mentoring, the range of courses are deigned to help you develop your skills and unlock future job opportunities in the area.

*Places are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility.

Apply for a course here: Adult Courses for Ashford

Free training for businesses and employees

Book your place onto a course here: Home – Sevenoaks District Council (seedl.com)

Retrofit and Green Skills: Green skills courses targeted around ensuring we have the skilled workforce to achieve the government’s net zero and wider environmental ambitions.

Construction Skills: Support for local areas to fund local skills needs. This includes technical and vocational qualifications and courses, and training for vocational licences relevant to local area needs and high-value qualifications where there is a need for additional skills capacity that is not being met through other provision.

In doing so, the aim is to:

• Support Growth of employment, turnover and productivity in our key local sectors.
• Enable businesses to access the skilled employees they need.
• Support both new and niche sectors to establish and grow in our local area.

Links will be made available so you will be able to apply for these courses directly via East Kent College.

Their offering will include the following:

• Certificate in Retrofit
• Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice
• Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
• Air Source Heat Pump Installation
• Award in Ground Source Heat Pump Systems
• Award in Domestic Retrofit
• Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Solar Thermal Hot Water
• Retrofit Co-ordination and Risk Management
• HTQ in Construction Management
• Diploma in Plumbing Studies
• Diploma in Electrical Installation
• Diploma in Bricklaying
• Water Supply Regulations
• Unvented Cylinder Testing

If you are looking to enrol on one or more of these courses, either as an individual or employer/ organisation, you should enrol through East Kent College directly.

Browse and start your learning experience straight away by accessing the courses  here

A one year, 80% funded* programme of support for a maximum of 40 businesses in the Kent and Medway area that have the capacity and ambition to grow.

These monthly sessions are designed to impart knowledge, educate, and introduce business tools and techniques.

Our approach maximises the value for money while delivering the right level of support for individual businesses with costs kept to an absolute minimum, yet with the delivery of a minimum of 36 hours of focused support for each business through:

• 6 Peer Group sessions (each session is 2 hours and will be delivered online)
• 12 one-to-ones (2-hour sessions with optional in person or online meetings)

Eligible businesses will need to be,

• located in Kent or Medway
• have been trading for at least 3 years
• employ 5+ staff
• have an annual turnover of £100,000+
• have the capacity and ambition to grow.

*  A contribution of £50 (+VAT) per month is payable quarterly in advance

To register your interest please follow the link and complete the expression of interest form.

A programme provided by Medway Council with support from Intelligence Linking and facilitation from Dragon Coworking and Ascend Coworking.

It offers free business advice and support to businesses of any size, from pre-startup to established and growing companies.

This is completed via 60 minute direct meetings held at the facilitated coworking spaces.

For more information:

Business advice | Medway Council

To book a place with the Adviser, please follow this link:

Business Introduction (google.com)

Help to Grow Management is a 12 module, hybrid course with a mix of live webinars and in person workshops at Kingston. Follow the link for each start date to see the full schedule and register. Once we receive your registration, we’ll be in touch with next steps.

Did you know if you have between 10-249 employees, 2 people can sign up on the 90% funded Help to Grow course.

Help to Grow Management is 90% funded by the Government and costs just £750.

Location: Kent Business School, Medway Campus

Register for the event below. Alternatively, to find out more or request training better tailored to your needs, complete this form email us at [email protected]

Register your place

Are you thinking about setting up a new business? Her Biz Women’s Start Up programme is returning to support aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent.

Her Biz is designed specifically to encourage more women to start a business, why not, turn your idea or hobby into a reality with the chance to WIN £500 towards your start-up costs!

 This programme will help you to:

• Explore and clarify your business idea
• Research your target market and understand your competitors
• Develop your business model and kick-start your business plan
• Help you to understand the numbers, create projections and explore funding options
• Start shaping your marketing strategy incl. online and social media presence
• Set your business goals
• Overview of business types, tax and insurance, accounting software, bank accounts
• Tools to help with taking the next step
• Gain peer support from like-minded people
• The programme also includes a 1-2-1 session with our Start-Up Coach to refine your business plan and discuss your business idea on a deeper level.

Eligibility:

Identify as female

Living/based in East Sussex/Kent

Open to anyone that’s not yet up and running or has registered as self-employed or a company within the last 12 months.

To apply for the March 2025 workshop, please sign up here: Her Biz | Women’s Start Up Support — Let’s Do Business Group

To apply for April 2025 workshop, please sign up here: Her Biz: Free Women’s Start-up Programme in Maidstone (2-Day In Person Workshop) by Let’s Do Business Group on cademy.io

Are you under 40 yrs of age? do you have a business idea? or you are already trading and want to grow your business? Join the network of business mentors to access FREE business support!

The Kent Foundation is a highly valued and trusted community providing a framework of support for young entrepreneurs to take their first steps in business. Experienced business owners in Kent offer mentorship and coaching helping young people make their own decisions and learn the fundamentals of business development whilst boosting their confidence and resilience in business.

Our mission is to ensure young people of Kent get the support they need to be successful in starting and growing a business, so contributing to the overall success of Kent.

The Kent Foundation is an essential part of the business community, supporting innovative young people to grow new enterprises, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic well-being of the County.

With over 100 mentors as part of The Kent Foundation it’s safe to say we have a wealth of knowledge for you to draw upon.

We’ve refined our mentor matching process so that we can give you the best support available.

A business mentor provides guidance, shares expertise, and offers valuable perspective. They can help you navigate challenges, set goals, and grow your business. It’s like having a trusted advisor who’s been there before, offering you insights that can save you time, money, and stress. A mentor can be a game-changer for your business.

We pride ourselves on the vast experience we have within The Kent Foundation across all our mentors. This helps us make sure we match our mentees with the mentor that will give them the best help.

We don’t have specific requirements such as “10 years in business”. We care more about your passion and that you have a good enough understanding of business to be able to help a young entrepreneur who’s completely new to the business scene.

If in doubt, get in contact and we can have a chat.

www.kentfoundation.org

Working out how to start and grow a business can be tough at times. That‘s where Enterprise Nation comes in.

Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support.

Whether you‘re starting or growing a business, they have the resources, expertise, and connections to help you get it right.

Access support at a selection of events, or online via a dynamic platform that gets you to answers and advisers fast.

Join here: Sign up for free membership | Enterprise Nation

Six month programme to Support businesses in their next phase

• In depth 1-2-1 mentoring
• Regular interactive peer sessions
• Match you with a mentor to suit your needs

Follow the link to application page and sign up for the 6 month programme for £1795+VAT.

Please register with WestKentBusiness.com

Kick Off in Business is a free, fully funded, short online business start-up and self-employment programme that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

The courses are designed to give you an insight and understanding of business start-up and self-employment to provide you with the foundational skills should you wish to take this path now or some time in the future.

We can also support you if you have already started your business. 

To register your interest, please click the following link: Free online business & self-employment courses | Eventbrite

The programme is provided by Canterbury District Council, delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and is designed for owner-managers and social enterprises to explore and develop high growth approaches.

By the end of the programme you will have:

• A high growth plan for your business
• Enhanced your management and strategic growth skills
• Improved business resilience and
• Explored innovation and how it can help growth

Businesses in Kent who have engaged with this type of programme previously have seen:

• Turnover increases in excess of 28%
• Significantly enhanced profits
• Improved access to funding
• Increased employment and the scale of their business

Our offer

Commencing from August 2023 and delivered online, you will receive in excess of 36 hours of support over a 12 month period from expert business advisors who have a track record of improving performance and building growth in the businesses they work with made up of:

• High Growth Workshops
• Monthly 2 hour peer networking sessions
• Monthly individual 1 hour 1-2-1 support working with an experienced advisor to work on your business challenges and growth strategies

The programme is 80% funded and delivers more than £4,500 of support. The cost to you is £50 per month for 12 months of support, payable quarterly in advance.

Who is eligible?

Businesses who have an appetite for growth in the Canterbury area and have been:

• Established 2 years with 5 employees and a turnover in excess of £500,000; or
• Established less than 2 years with funding in place and ambitious to grow

Complete the expression of interest form, then we will be in touch to go through the details and to enrol you on the programme – Expression Of Interest

Our programme is funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport until March 2025.

So, if you’re a social entrepreneur or social enterprise in Thanet, there’s never been a better time to sign up to the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost programme. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your enterprise to the next level, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Sign up today and let’s start building a better future together!

Eligibility criteria:

For the purpose of this programme, social enterprise is defined as either:

• an entrepreneur or unregistered organisation who is driven by a social or environmental purpose and can demonstrate a plan to work towards registration within the government definition below or;
• a registered social enterprise organisation within the government definition below;

“a social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners”.

A start-up is considered to be an organisation:

• Less than 5 years old and;
• Turnover of less than £250,000 in their last financial year.

Support (including grants of up to £10,000 to help kickstart or grow social enterprises, supporting the development of innovative ideas to tackle issues in Thanet) will be available to social enterprises delivering activities or services that provide social or environmental benefit within Thanet.

If you have any questions, email [email protected]

To register, please complete the Enquiry Form or telephone 01843 210005

Create South East is designed to help creative businesses. The programme will support you to develop the skills to secure investment so that you can achieve your ambitions for your company to grow. It is tailored to the needs of different creative disciplines, their respective markets, governance, and distribution models.

What do I get from the programme?

• 1-2-1 mentoring
• Peer to Peer Cohorts
• Tailored Workshops
• Investment Opportunities

This programme is free to the business as the activity has been funded by Create South East through the Create Growth Programme. The programme has a financial value of approximately £10k.

Companies can apply at any time by submitting an Expression of Interest form

Homepage (creativeengland.co.uk)

Eligible companies should a) be based in Essex, Kent & Medway or Sussex, b) have a registered company with creativity at its heart.

If you are eligible, we will invite you to meet a member of the team so that we can find out more about your business, and you can ask more questions about the programme.

Whether you’re an artist or accountant, baker or bricklayer, if you live in Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe or the wider Kent area our award-winning course will help you find your own path to self-employment.

Our live course consists of ten sessions of practical and easy-to-digest content giving you all the fundamentals you need to get a business off the ground and start making money.

The ten sessions are spread out over 10 days: all running from 10am until 3pm, either from Rebel HQ online via Zoom.

Through the course, you’ll learn:
How to start a business for free, Sales, Marketing, Pricing & Negotiation, Tax & Accounting, Building a Website for Free, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media, Pitching & Mindset.

To find out more or Register a Place, please click here: Rebel Business School Kent (Events

How does the Food and Drink Accelerator work?

Who is eligible to apply?

If you’re ambitious and interested in scaling-up your business, and fast, the Food and Drink Accelerator programme could be right for you.

We will support plant-based food and drink businesses from across the supply chain, including food products, technology or related services.

Your business must be based in Kent or Medway.

Why should I sign up for the Accelerator?

You will receive intensive support and guidance to help make your business goals a reality.

We cover a broad range of areas, including technology, consumer insight, regulatory factors, financial support and marketing.

Reasons to join the Accelerator:

• Expert guidance
• Peer-to-peer support
• Business mentoring
• Advice on accessing finance and investment readiness.

Please get in touch using the contact form below and our team will be in touch to talk you through our programme to see if this is right for you.

Get in touch with us at Growing Kent & Medway | Growing Kent & Medway (growingkentandmedway.com)

Business & IP Centre Kent (BIPC Kent), is part of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre National Network, and we are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

By partnering up with Kent Libraries, we’re supporting a thriving community of bright and inspiring people, whether you’re a new or existing business owner, we are here to support you in Kent.

Home » Resources

It’s crucial when you are starting a business to understand your market, competitors, and customer trends. Being part of the BIPC Network, BIPC Kent can provide you access to over £5 Million worth of resources, such as online market reports from top publishers, company data for over 144 million UK and global companies, start-up books and business directories, 700,000 historical annual reports, and over 60 million patents.

Have a questsion? Book a free consultations with one of our experts:

Resources – Business & IP Centre Kent (bipckent.org.uk)

Digital Boost is a free online platform that supports people who work at small businesses and charities to get the essential skills and advice they need to adopt new digital ways of working and grow their businesses. We are owned by the educational charity Founders4Schools.

+ Free 1:1 online conversations with a wide range of volunteer expert mentors:
‍
– Fast answers to their unique business questions
– Personalised guidance & advice
– Objective feedback & ideas
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+ Hands-on workshops covering topics such as SEO, Facebook Ads, cloud computing, payment systems, and much more

+ Personalised recommendations for short courses

+ A resource library to access at their own pace

Sign Up for Digital Boost

• General Business Advice to any type or age of business in Kent

Follow the Ask Phil link and fill in the contact form to request a call back – Ask Phil 

• One to One support and advice Day Clinics offering business advice to any type and age of business

Call 01622 239300 or email us at [email protected]

Online Export Support; 24/7 access to guidance, tools and services to help with the following:

• Establishing a business overseas
• Expand your knowledge
• Find a new export market
• Funding and Finance
• Duties, taxes and customs
• Codes, tariffs and procedures

No need to apply, you can use the tools provided online or alternatively contact them by filling out the enquiry form.

Follow the link to application page and sign up for the 12 week programme.

Follow the link to application page and sign up for the 12 month programme.