Being part of the Creative Media Centre gives you direct access to business support and advice.
There are regular seminars and training events held in the Centre – many with a discount for Centre clients.
We also run regular networking lunches. These are open to all client companies and we welcome external companies who would like a chance to meet the companies based in the Centre. If you would like to attend our next networking lunch please contact Reception on (01424) 205400.
Grants and Funding
There is a range of financial support available for companies in East Sussex.
The Sea Space website Grants & Funding section has a list of sites with information on access to grants and funding from both public and private bodies.
Business support organisations
Listed below are a range of business organisations which are available to help companies across the South East region:
Business Link
Provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, be successful and grow. A wide range of topics are covered including:
- Data Protection, privacy & security
- eCommerce information and advice
- Finance & grants
- Sales & marketing
- Starting up
Business IT Guide
A comprehensive online aid to business use of ICT.
Business Plan Examples
Looking for a free business plan example for a company like yours? Get inspired with a gallery of sample business plans and practical advice on how to write a business plan.
Business Support Network
An initiative by East Sussex County Council Trading Standards Service which updates local businesses with information relevant to their trading activities.
Capitalise Business Support
Encourages entrepreneurship by making finance available to people who cannot access loans or credit from banks or building societies. The scheme is aimed at helping Sussex, Kent and Surrey based micro, small and medium enterprises and social enterprises in order to achieve positive social change and to bring wealth to disadvantaged communities.
Companies House
Providing access to free company information online.
Designing Demand
You’ll learn a lot about the value design can add to your business at a one day Designing Demand workshop. Hear about how design has benefited other businesses and discover how you can use design to shape your decisions, not just implement them. Explore specific design possibilities for your business and draw up a plan for next steps – with one-to-one support from an experienced Design Associate.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Business support solutions, covering regulation, consumer issues, innovation, employment matters, skills and education.
Edeal
Provides free, confidential and impartial business advice to all businesses, ranging from pre-start to mature. The service embraces social enterprises and voluntary organisations as well as private, commercial companies.
Federation of Small Businesses
The UK’s largest campaigning pressure group, promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 215,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches.
Finance South East
Helping ambitious small and medium sized businesses in the South East of England to realise their true potential for growth and success. They can provide impartial advice on the funding sources available to your business and help you achieve your goals.
Grant Finder
Finding grants for your business ideas.
Hastings Borough Council – Business
Providing information about business premises in Hastings, starting your own business in Hastings and business rates.
Hastings Skillsmatch
The Hastings Borough job matching site helps to match employee needs with employer demand.
Hastings Trust
An independent charity working for the people, heritage, economy, environment and future of Hastings.
HM Revenue & Customs – Starting in business
Helping you understand some of key financial issues when you’re running a business, especially tax and National Insurance. They also point to some other important areas of the law which aren’t the responsibility of HM Revenue & Customs – and suggest where to go for further, more detailed information.
Innovation Centre Hastings
Designed to help firms with an innovative approach to business grow and thrive. They offer a range of offices, studios and workshops, all fully equipped with the latest in telephony, broadband, meeting rooms, reception and clerical services.
South East Business Innovation & Growth Team
South East Business Innovation and Growth provides focused support designed to have a tangible and positive impact on companies with the potential to innovate and grow significantly. Whatever the size or nature of your business, if it has the potential, desire and capability to innovate and grow, then a package of expert support is available.
Staffed with experienced business professionals, coaches and mentors with connections to the knowledge base and other specialist support.
FiSMA
A not-for-profit organisation in order to promote, encourage and assist those involved with entrepreneurial activity throughout the UK.
Let’s do Business
Regular business exhibitions in East Sussex providing a fantastic opportunity to network face-to-face with owners, directors and key decision-makers of businesses from across Sussex and the wider South East region.
Local Investment Fund
The National Fund that provides loans to Social Enterprises, enabling community organisations to move from grant dependency and towards self-sufficiency.
Locate East Sussex
Helping firms find suitable premises in East Sussex, they offer countywide sites and premises search, an online property database and investor advice and assistance.
Market Analysis Services
Market Analysis Services is part of the Programme of Product and Market Development of the International Trade Centre (ITC). Through these services, ITC provides on-line tools, shares market research and trade analysis, and conducts training programmes in market analysis for trade support institutions and the business community in developing countries.
Manufactuing Advisory Service South East
Hands-on support and access to practical advice to help manufacturing businesses across the South East region improve their productivity and efficiency levels.
PRIME Initiative
Provides free information, events and training to help older people get back into work by starting their own business.
Prince’s Trust
Practical solutions to help change young lives, including courses, grants and help with starting a business for 18–30 year olds.
Product Development Centre
Based at the Innovation Centre, providing design and rapid prototyping services in mechanical and electrical engineering. The PDC has a rapid prototyping machine and a laser scanner, as well as a 15 seat computer training suite with various 3D modelling software packages and electronic circuit CAD software.
ProfitNet
A free ‘learning networks’ scheme to help firms increase profitability and productivity and increase competitive advantage.
Rother District Council
The Council’s website serves the community of Rother and provides information on a variety of subjects, including procurement, business rates and estates. It also contains links to related services such as business support, grants advice, trading standards.
Sea Space
The economic development company for Hastings and Bexhill. Set up by the regional development agency and local councils, they are working to create a vibrant, prosperous future for this part of England’s south coast and helping the towns fulfil their potential as highly desirable places to work, live, study and visit.
Startups
Inspiring new business and providing highly relevant information to help start and run a business.
Start your own business
Business advice and information for small business and start-ups.
Sussex Coast College
The new college in Hastings, offering sixth form, further education and higher education. The main campus is located at Station Plaza in Hastings town centre, with a second campus in Ore Valley. The college offers the very best teaching and learning spaces in the region, using the most up-to-date digital technologies. The Station Plaza building is also designed to be a cultural hub with public exhibition and performance spaces.
The college also has two specialist centres:
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
The Regional Development Agency for the South East is responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK’s economy. They work at a local, regional, national and international level to attract inward investment, to help businesses reach their full potential and to win practical support from a range of partners.
Sussex Enterprise
Representing businesses’ views and helping with the issues that matter to them. Make sense of red tape, keep on the right side of the law and find out about networking events in your area. As the Chamber of Commerce for Sussex, Sussex Enterprise will help with business issues, offers practical support, skills development or information to help businesses run more efficiently.
Ten Sixty Six Enterprise
The Chamber of Commerce for the Hastings and St Leonards area. They have a comprehensive strategy for helping those who wish to start up new businesses and also provide on-going guidance and support for established businesses.
Train to Gain
Offering funding and support as you train your employees for business success.
UK Trade & Investment
The Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally, and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. Its role is to help companies realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and ongoing partnership support.
University of Brighton
Based on five campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings with one of the best teaching quality ratings in the UK and a strong research record. They offer research and development services and specialist facilities to benefit businesses and organisations of all sizes and across a range of industry sectors. The University supports student, staff and graduate entrepreneurs and business start-ups in Sussex and beyond. Tailored short courses to a range of professions and industries, undergraduate courses incorporating professional qualifications, postgraduate-level courses suitable for professional development and retraining purposes and professional doctorates.
University Centre Hastings
Providing skills and education for the local workforce and professional training for business people and their staff. Managed by the University of Brighton, the Centre offers short courses, foundation degrees and degrees in a range of subjects. Their modern facilities are available to hire for business meetings and workshops and businesses can also benefit from services such as the ProfitNet programme.
University of Sussex
A leading teaching and research institution, characterised by a number of academic strengths including research excellence, internationalism and interdisciplinary. Working with a wide range of companies and organisations supporting and facilitating their work, and creating services to meet their needs.
Wired Sussex
Working with digital media companies of all sizes helping them to develop and grow. If you are working in or running a business in the digital media industry in Sussex – or if you’d like to be – find out how they can support you.