1. Delivered by Want some? Peter Wognum (Support & Business Opportunities in the East of England)

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3. Fund101 Reopens Offering New Small Business Grants (UK) Fund101 targets UK-based entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a new business and existing small companies wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level. Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. The initial funding pool is £50,000 and this will be topped up each month with an additional £5,000. Individual grants ranging from £50 to £500 can be requested. New Funding Announced for Businesses to Boost Employee Skills The Prime Minister has announced details of new government funding sources that are now available to support businesses taking on apprentices. The new funds have been put in place from today, enabling businesses to support apprenticeships up to degree equivalent, thereby helping to cultivate the skills needed to boost economic growth. Launch of £30 Million Fund for Green Energy Concepts Companies that have plans to change the way energy is used in the UK are being encouraged to apply for funding to support their innovative new projects. A new £30 million programme which derives it financial resources from the Innovation Funding Incentive (IFI) and the Low Carbon Networks (LCN) Fund has opened to applications. Free Online Training Offered to Assist Business Mentoring Free online training has been launched to assist experienced business people in mentoring SMEs The training tool, which is part of the Get Mentoring Scheme, enables people to get mentoring and join the ever expanding network of volunteer business mentors. www.j4bgrants.co.uk

4. Delivered by: £60 Million Rural Economy Grant Scheme Launched (England) The new Rural Economy Grant Scheme has been set up to support firms operating in sectors including food, tourism, forestry and farming. Grants are being provided to enable entrepreneurs in rural areas of England to take life-changing opportunities to grow their businesses, increasing their competitiveness, productivity and environmental efficiency as well as their profits. HSBC Launches £4 Billion International Trade Fund for SMEs The new HSBC International SME Fund is designed to support the growth of small and medium-sized UK businesses that trade internationally. Through the scheme, HSBC will provide credit to companies as a means for them to extend their operations abroad. The bank believes that even the smallest businesses are likely to become multinational in the future. Wayra Launches £50,000 Business Accelerator Programme (Great Britain) The Wayra Accelerator Programme is a new investment opportunity for start-up companies in Great Britain, in fields ranging from cloud computing and mobile apps to network systems and financial services. Successful applicants will spend six months in the Wayra Academy in London, receiving help to accelerate their business. They will then either be introduced to venture capitalists for next stage funding or stay another six months in the Academy. www.j4bgrants.co.uk

5. Delivered by: What Else?

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7. www.eeegr.co.uk

8. Delivered by: Thank You Peter Wognum Tel: 01268 758423 Mob: 07710 121101 peter.wognum@lowcarbonbusiness.org.uk www.lowcarbonbusiness.org.uk