‍‍We're pleased to share that Let's Do Business Group has been appointed to deliver the NEZ Business Growth Fund, in partnership with Newhaven Enterprise Zone. This marks the next step in what has already been a rewarding working relationship with the Enterprise Zone and the businesses that call it home.‍ ‍

The Business Growth Fund sits within Newhaven Forward, the Enterprise Zone's new two-year funding programme running between 2026 and 2028. Backing off from its predecessors, the Low Carbon Investment Fund and the Refurbishment of Employment Space Fund, both of which Let’s Do Business Group supported in its delivery, this new funding brings those two strands together into one streamlined grant scheme. By doing so, this allows the funding application to be easier for local businesses to grow and invest, including moving towards a more sustainable way of operating.

About Newhaven Forward‍ ‍

Newhaven Forward is the Enterprise Zone's funding programme for 2026 – 2028, which, as well as continuing to support shopfront refurbishment in Newhaven Town Centre and community activities, the programme introduces the Business Growth Fund as its main vehicle for business investment – cutting through the complexity and giving Newhaven businesses a clearer route to finance.

More information about Newhaven Forward can be found here: https://newhavenenterprisezone.com/nez-forward/

What does the fund offer?‍ ‍

Eligible businesses within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone can access a grant of up to £15,000, with a minimum 50% match funding requirement. For this, aspiring projects will need to support business growth or improvement, and align with the Enterprise Zone’s priorities, with both clear outcomes and value for money.

The three areas the fund covers are:

Employment Space: Funding is available to support the development or refurbishment of employment spaces, covering feasibility studies, masterplans, site investigations, pre-planning work, business case development and property adaptations.
Low Carbon Investment: Businesses looking to grow through sustainability can access funding for research and development, capital investment in low-carbon technologies, carbon reduction measures, and the development of low-carbon products, processes or services.
Capital Projects: Grants are available towards the cost of capital items, including new equipment, machinery, and low- or zero-carbon commercial vehicles.

Who can apply?

The Business Growth Fund is open to businesses based within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone that have fewer than 250 FTE employees, with a turnover under £44 million, and can provide at least 50% match funding.

For this fund, projects will need to create at least one full-time job or meet any two of the following: increased productivity, a new product or service, a part-time job created, increased local spend, increased dwell time in Newhaven, or a contribution to net-zero goals.

(Please note that businesses in the education sector, healthcare sector, and residential services are not eligible for this fund.)

“We’ve delivered funding programmes in Newhaven before, and have seen first-hand what the right investment at the right time can do for a business. The Business Growth Fund brings everything together in a way that’s much more straightforward to access, and it covers the kind of projects that can make a real difference – whether that’s improving your space, investing in new equipment, or taking steps towards a more sustainable operation. I’m really looking forward to seeing what local businesses do with this opportunity.”

— Emily Wright, Business Manager, Let's Do Business Group

Let's Do Business Group is excited to continue building on this work alongside the Newhaven Enterprise Zone, where funds such as this make a lasting difference for SMEs.

If your business is based within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone and you'd like to find out more, our team is here to help! Check your eligibility and apply today by visiting the Newhaven Grants Scheme page on our website, or contact our team directly.