ORGANISATIONS with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of grants to award are looking forward to meeting directors of Essex businesses at an event organised by the Essex branch of the Institute of Directors.

No matter the size, age or turnover of a business there is usually a project, a purchase, a research programme or a new venture which could benefit from an injection of cash. IoD Essex are providing directors the opportunity to speak with 10 organisations each of which has grants available to help businesses develop.

The breakfast event, taking place at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester on Thursday 17 May will feature presentations from the following organisations:

University of Essex – offering Innovation Vouchers
KEEP+ – supporting SMEs to access knowledge and expertise through collaboration with the University
SEBB – providing ‘growth grants’ to local businesses, creating new jobs and ‘new to the firm’ products plus support for ‘pre-start’ companies and ‘start-up’ companies.
Get Exporting 2 – assistance to enable companies to begin selling overseas or to expand internationally.
Essex Growth Programme – a grant scheme is designed to support investment in capitalisable assets to stimulate growth, efficiency and, ideally, job creation.
South Essex College – funding and grants available to businesses to support in taking on a new apprentice or to up-skill existing staff.
LoCASE – grant funding and business support for businesses developing new Low Carbon products and services.
Nwes – business support for start-up and growing SMEs including competitively priced work-space solutions
SCORE – grant fund supporting SMEs that are developing new technologies.
BEST – general advice regarding grants available for your business
Each of the grant providers attending will be available to speak with business owners and directors to explain in more detail how they can help individual businesses. The event is open to IoD members and non-members and includes breakfast and refreshments.

Bookings for the event can be made via www.iod.com/east-events