NEZ Business Growth Fund

NEZ Business Growth Fund

The NEZ Business Growth Fund supports projects in three priority areas.

Development of New or Refurbishment of Employment Space
  • Feasibility studies, masterplans, site investigations, preplanning, business case development and property adaptations.
Low Carbon Investment
  • Any company that wishes to pursue business growth by developing low carbon products and/or incorporating low carbon processes or services. This may be achieved through pure research and development, capital investment or environmental aid support.
  • Support to implement carbon reduction measures.
Capital Projects
  • Businesses can apply for a grant for the cost of capital projects. This could include new equipment, machinery, low- or zero-carbon commercial vehicles.
Who can apply?

The fund is open to all businesses located within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone and offers grants of up to £15,000, requiring a minimum 50% match funding.  Projects must enable business growth or improvement and align with the strategic objectives of the Enterprise Zone, demonstrating clear impact, benefits and value for money.

Eligible projects must create at least one full-time job or meet any two of the following criteria:

  • Increased productivity
  • Introduction of a new-to-firm product or service
  • Creation of one part-time job
  • Increased local spend
  • Increased dwell time in Newhaven
  • Contribution to net-zero goals
Sector

Education, healthcare and residential services are not eligible for funding through this programme.

Excluded items

The programme will award grants for work vehicles such as an electric van, but not for petrol/diesel cars or vehicles that are associated with personal use.

Personal devices such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, computer and computing devices are also excluded.

Applications

  • An application for funding is limited to one request per business/applicant within a twelve-month period.
  • The application need not be restricted to one category; for example, a funding request might be for site refurbishment as well as for a capital project.
  • Applications must be submitted on a completed application form, available to download below.

Newhaven
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    Gateway Eligibility Criteria

    Please confirm your company’s eligibility by answering the questions below:

    The project will operate in the Newhaven Enterprise Zone postcode area

    To be eligible, businesses must meet the following criteria:

    Fewer than 250 FTEs

    A balance sheet of less than £39M

    Turnover of less than £44m

    Have a business bank account

    Are able to provide evidence of full-time trading

    The applicant is not in any debt to the Lewes District Council or other parties

    The applicant does not have a County Court Judgement

    The applicant is not in bankruptcy, liquidation or similar at the time of application

    The project is able to demonstrate completion within a 2-year period following approval

    The applicant has not received more than £315,000 of state aid (last three years)

    The applicant will provide a minimum of 50% match funding investment towards the project

    Section 1 – Contact Information

    Section 2 – Project Summary

    Please indicate what investment funding is required (indicative):

    Section 3 – Indicative Outputs

    Please list the indicative outputs that would be secured as a direct result of the Newhaven Enterprise Zone Investment:

    Section 4 – Declaration

    I confirm that the information provided above is accurate and if successful the company will be submitting a full application within ten working days of notification.

    Signature*