Support for Businesses
Grants

Business Support Grants
Offering businesses a range of grant funding options available across various sectors.
Here2Help Business Grants offer a range of support to help Worcestershire businesses recover, adapt, develop and support future resilience in response to COVID-19. Grant support is offered on a 50% match funded basis.
Proof of Concept (link opens in a new window) is grant funding to support SMEs to investigate, advance, commercialise and protect innovative early stage business ideas.
Enterprising Worcestershire offer different support options to enable start-up and early stage enterprises to develop and prosper.
Kickstart Scheme offers funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (opens in a new window) Could your business benefit from a faster, more reliable broadband connection? Are you in an area without sufficient broadband infrastructure? Find out about how the voucher scheme can help fund a gigabit-capable connection to boost your business.

Skills Grants
Encouraging employers to influence, inform, motivate and inspire local students.
Apprenticeship Grants
In response to the challenges faced by businesses during COVID-19, until 31st January 2021, employers will be eligible to receive a new incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.
Traineeship Grants
A skills development programme that includes a work placement, allowing employers to design a programme that suits both the needs of the business and the trainee.
Apprenticeship Levy Support
A scheme designed to pay apprenticeship training contributions of businesses which address skills shortages in the region. This will also create apprenticeships for disadvantaged groups, whilst enabling community and voluntary organisations to enhance stability within their workforce.
Find out more at Worcestershire Apprenticeships (link opens in a new window)

Clean Growth Grants
Enabling businesses to contribute towards a thriving low carbon economy.
Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP): Free energy efficiency assessments which could lead to grants for businesses who wish to reduce costs and improve environmental credentials. Available to SMEs in eligible sectors.
Low Carbon Opportunities Programme (LOCOP): Free renewable energy or low carbon innovation assessments and grants to SMEs in eligible sectors.
Natural Networks: Grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats.
Support
Worcestershire Business Central
A service dedicated to supporting Worcestershire business with local support in one place This is a central point of contact for all businesses within the county, making it simple and accessible for businesses to access and find the help they need. Find out more about Worcestershire Business Central (link opens in a new window)
Here2Help Adapt Business Support
Flexible and free support in critical areas to enable Worcestershire businesses to move forward and grow in the post pandemic economy. Find out more about Here2Help Adapt Business Support
Elevate
Enabling established SMEs in Worcestershire to achieve their growth potential. Find out more about Elevate
Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund Technical Assistance
The Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Technical Assistance project offers information and support to organisations developing and applying for ERDF projects in Worcestershire. Find out more about Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund Technical Assistance.
Business and IP Centre
Worcestershire libraries provide a business support and signposting service for local pre-start, early start and growth businesses. Find out more about the Business and IP Centre (link opens in a new window)
Worcestershire Innovation (WINN)
Creating a community of innovative individuals and businesses, wherever they are within the business life cycle, to ensure they have access to all areas of relevant support including events, the Innovation Launchpad and The WINN Show. Read more about Worcestershire Innovation (WINN).
Skills for Worcestershire
Are you concerned about your future workforce? How do you market your business to young people and grow talent for your business? Or are you perhaps looking for networking opportunities? Read more about Investing in your future workforce.
One Worcestershire
Raising the profile of Worcestershire regionally, nationally and internationally by supporting local business, attracting inward investment and encouraging tourism. Find out more about One Worcestershire (link opens in a new window)
Worcestershire Works Well
A free accreditation scheme designed to support businesses to improve the health and well-being of their employees. Find out more about Worcestershire Works Well (link opens in a new window)
Enterprising Worcestershire
A variety of support available for early-stage businesses and start-ups, as well as those considering self-employment. Find out more about Enterprising Worcestershire.
Clean Growth
Offering free assessments to help businesses save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop low carbon technologies. Find out more from Business-Central (link opens in a new window)
Business Mentoring
The innovative mentoring project matches local business owners with experienced Worcester Ambassadors members to offer them invaluable expertise and guidance. Business Mentoring