The DfE-funded Leadership and Management Bootcamp, delivered by Itec Skills, offers Dartford and Sevenoaks-based SME employers the opportunity to upskill their leaders with training that is 90% government-funded.

This high impact Level 4 programme has been designed in collaboration with employers across the professional services sector to build confident, capable managers who can lead teams effectively, drive business growth, and inspire performance.

Over the 16-week programme, participants gain:

✅ Practical leadership and management tools

✅ Coaching and communication skills

✅ Confidence and self-awareness to lead teams successfully

✅ Real-world insights from employer masterclasses

Cohorts commence in December 2025, January and February 2026.

For further details and to book on to the course please use this link:

Skills Bootcamps – Leadership and Management – Itec Skills

To submit your interest, please follow this link: Scale Up Ashford

Kent Community Foundation is working in partnership with SWEF to provide two different business grants to young entrepreneurs in Kent and Medway, aged 18-30.

Grants are available to cover essential costs as you turn your business idea into reality or to support growth and development if your business has started trading and is less than 2 years old.

To apply, please click here: SWEF Business Grant Applications

Fuel your business growth: Start your business

Are you ready to transform your passion into a thriving business?
Join this six-part series where we will explore the fundamentals you need to consider when starting your own business.

This series will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to kick-start your entrepreneurial journey.

Ideas to reality: Understanding the
viability of your business – 24 July, 12:00-13:00
This session will help you explore the viability
of your business idea including key questions
such as “is it going to work?” and “is it going to
last?”. We will also cover business structures
so you can pick the best one for your
business.

Introduction to financial terminology:
Some definitions to grasp! – 29 July, 14:00-15:00
During this session we’ll explore terminology
such as cash-flow, profit, loss, income and
expenditure alongside understanding how
much you need to make (personal survival
budget etc).

Customer profiling: Customers and
competitors – 5 August, 14:00-15:00
In this session we will be exploring basic
market research techniques to help you
better gauge your customer profile(s). We’ll
also be giving some thought to the trading
environment.

Planning for success: How to action
plan by adopting SMART objectives – 13 August, 12:00-13:00
We’ll guide you through an action plan with
SMART (specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic, timebound) objectives and how to
incorporate flexibility and revision.

Four steps to kick-start your venture
– 19 August, 11:00-12:00
Join Archie Wilkinson, CEO and Co-founder
of Lifesaver, as he takes you through the ‘do’s
and don’ts’, the foundational pillars of success,
and the focus areas for giving your venture the
best chance of success.

From the kitchen table to the world
– 26 August, 10:00-11:00
Hear how Tajinder Banwait MBE turned
Urban Apothecary London from a kitchen
table idea to a scalable brand. She will share
her top tips and relatable stories to help your
business soar!

To join, log in or register for your free UK Export Academy account: UK Export Academy

For more information please visit: Start Your Business Strong – UK Export Academy – business.gov.uk

Running a business comes with constant challenges—whether it’s scaling up, refining your strategy, or managing day-to-day operations. 1-1 business support gives you tailored advice, expert insights, and a clear action plan to help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals faster.

Instead of generic solutions, you get guidance specific to your industry, challenges, and ambitions—saving you time, money, and stress.

Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, personalised support can be the key to unlocking your next level of success.

Book your 1-1 Business Support via the link on this page: growingravesham.co.uk/support

Locate in Kent is funded and supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, local councils, the Kent Developers Group, Kent Housing and Development Group and partners from the private sector to promote Kent and Medway as a prime location for business and support the creation of new jobs.  Locate in Kent delivers confidential advice, expert business support and access to their network to unlock investment for employers expanding or relocating. Locate in Kent is a first point of call for any international enterprise coming to the UK.

For more information about Locate in Kent, call +44 1732 520700, email enquiries@locateinkent.com or visit www.locateinkent.com

Whatever you make, make it smarter

Made Smarter is a government-funded push to drive growth in South East manufacturing SMEs, helping them boost productivity and increase their competitive edge through new digital technologies.

Made Smarter South East Technical Experts will provide advice and support to manufacturing businesses, makers and creators to help them switch to advanced and automated technologies. The pilot programme will run until March 31st 2026 and provide match-funding, specialist advice, leadership training and student placements. Helping small and medium-sized businesses – and the people in them – keep their competitive edge while boosting the South East economy.

It’s launching 1st April. Join the wait list for a free, personalised assessment by registering now at Digital transformation support in the South East | Made Smarter

A sustainability training programme for horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses in Kent and Medway.

Reduce your carbon footprint and make your business grow greener.

Our tailored support will help you move towards net zero carbon emissions, find value from your waste materials, or help reduce your inputs and resources.

Your training will take place over three months, you will then be invited to apply for a small grant to help you achieve your net zero goals.

• Grant of up to £7k
• Accredited training and professional qualification
• Environmental sustainability assessment
• Personalised action plan
• Networking and events.

This flexible training programme will enable you to fit the support around your busy schedule. If you want to reduce energy costs, improve your environmental credentials and join a network of sustainable businesses in Kent and Medway, don’t miss out.

Online Briefing

If you’d like to find out more about Growing Green, join our webinar on Thursday 30th January at 9.30am. We’ll explain what is involved and how to apply.

Register for the webinar

The programme will run over three months and is open to micro, small and medium-sized businesses, registered or trading in Kent and Medway.

Places are limited. Each group will start on the following dates:

• Group one: February 2025
• Group two: April 2025
• Group three: May 2025
• Group four: June 2025
• Group five: August 2025

Applications now open 

Ashford Borough Council have partnered with East Kent Colleges to deliver a range of fully funded courses for those over the age of 19 who live in, and those who are employed by a company registered in the Ashford Borough Council region.

From Green Skills to Coaching and Mentoring, the range of courses are deigned to help you develop your skills and unlock future job opportunities in the area.

*Places are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility.

Apply for a course here: Adult Courses for Ashford

Free training for businesses and employees

Book your place onto a course here: Home – Sevenoaks District Council (seedl.com)

A one year, 80% funded* programme of support for a maximum of 40 businesses in the Kent and Medway area that have the capacity and ambition to grow.

These monthly sessions are designed to impart knowledge, educate, and introduce business tools and techniques.

Our approach maximises the value for money while delivering the right level of support for individual businesses with costs kept to an absolute minimum, yet with the delivery of a minimum of 36 hours of focused support for each business through:

• 6 Peer Group sessions (each session is 2 hours and will be delivered online)
• 12 one-to-ones (2-hour sessions with optional in person or online meetings)

Eligible businesses will need to be,

• located in Kent or Medway
• have been trading for at least 3 years
• employ 5+ staff
• have an annual turnover of £100,000+
• have the capacity and ambition to grow.

*  A contribution of £50 (+VAT) per month is payable quarterly in advance

To register your interest please follow the link and complete the expression of interest form.

Help to Grow Management Training

The Help to Grow: Management Course runs over 12 weeks and includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring and peer networking.

With just one session a week, it is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments. You will finish the course ready to lead on the delivery of increased profitability, innovation and growth.

The fee for the Help to Grow: Management Course is £750 for the whole programme. The remaining 90% of the course costs are funded by the UK Government.

Location: North Holmes Road Campus, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1QU

To join the Help to Grow: Management Course you should:

• Employ between 5 and 249 employees
• Be a member of the senior leadership team and have direct reports.

Date: Running from 7th January 2026 – 25th March 2026

Live sessions delivered over 12 weeks (Online and in-person workshops) with support from nationally approved business mentors.

How to Apply?

For further details and to book on to the course please use this link: Help To Grow Management Course

For further details and to book on to the course please use this link:

Help To Grow Management Course

The popular Her Biz start-up programme returns via Zoom in January 2026! 

Are you thinking about setting up a new business? Her Biz, the FREE ‘virtual’ Women’s Start-Up programme, is returning to support aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent. 

This inspiring programme has been specifically created to help encourage women to set up a new business. From refining your business idea to marketing and managing your finances, we can help you prepare to successfully start your business. 

Workshop dates/times: 

The programme consists of 3 x 3-hour sessions, each from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. 

• Thursday 22nd January - Exploring your idea and shaping your business plan 

• Thursday 29th January - Understanding financials and funding options 

• Thursday 5th February - Marketing, social media & online presence and Practicalities of getting started 

Closing date for applications is Monday 19th January. 

The programme will help you to: 

• Explore and clarify your business idea 

• Research your target market and understand your competitors 

• Develop your business model and kick-start your business plan 

• Help you to understand the numbers, create projections and explore funding options 

• Start shaping your marketing strategy, incl. online and social media presence 

• Set your business goals 

• Overview of business types, tax and insurance, accounting software, and bank accounts 

• Tools to help with taking the next step 

• Gain peer support from like-minded people 

• The programme also includes a 1-2-1 session with our Start-Up Coach to refine your business plan or discuss your business on a deeper level. 

These sessions will be taking place via Zoom. You can access Zoom easily from your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.  

Eligibility: 

Identify as female 

Living/based in East Sussex/Kent 

Open to anyone who’s not yet up and running or has registered as self-employed or a company within the last 12 months. 

This popular programme is delivered by Let’s Do Business Group. 

To apply for the January 2025 workshop, please sign up here: Her Biz: Women’s Start-Up Programme (January 2026) by Let’s Do Business Group on cademy.io

Are you under 40 yrs of age? do you have a business idea? or you are already trading and want to grow your business? Join the network of business mentors to access FREE business support!

The Kent Foundation is a highly valued and trusted community providing a framework of support for young entrepreneurs to take their first steps in business. Experienced business owners in Kent offer mentorship and coaching helping young people make their own decisions and learn the fundamentals of business development whilst boosting their confidence and resilience in business.

Our mission is to ensure young people of Kent get the support they need to be successful in starting and growing a business, so contributing to the overall success of Kent.

The Kent Foundation is an essential part of the business community, supporting innovative young people to grow new enterprises, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic well-being of the County.

With over 100 mentors as part of The Kent Foundation it’s safe to say we have a wealth of knowledge for you to draw upon.

We’ve refined our mentor matching process so that we can give you the best support available.

A business mentor provides guidance, shares expertise, and offers valuable perspective. They can help you navigate challenges, set goals, and grow your business. It’s like having a trusted advisor who’s been there before, offering you insights that can save you time, money, and stress. A mentor can be a game-changer for your business.

We pride ourselves on the vast experience we have within The Kent Foundation across all our mentors. This helps us make sure we match our mentees with the mentor that will give them the best help.

We don’t have specific requirements such as “10 years in business”. We care more about your passion and that you have a good enough understanding of business to be able to help a young entrepreneur who’s completely new to the business scene.

If in doubt, get in contact and we can have a chat.

www.kentfoundation.org

Working out how to start and grow a business can be tough at times. That‘s where Enterprise Nation comes in.

Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support.

Whether you‘re starting or growing a business, they have the resources, expertise, and connections to help you get it right.

Access support at a selection of events, or online via a dynamic platform that gets you to answers and advisers fast.

Join here: Sign up for free membership | Enterprise Nation

Six month programme to Support businesses in their next phase

• In depth 1-2-1 mentoring
• Regular interactive peer sessions
• Match you with a mentor to suit your needs

Follow the link to application page and sign up for the 6 month programme for £1795+VAT.

Please read through the business mentoring bios, and then click the application form link below to book your mentoring session.

https://bit.ly/43GKyzL

Kick Off in Business is a free, fully funded, short online business start-up and self-employment programme that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

The courses are designed to give you an insight and understanding of business start-up and self-employment to provide you with the foundational skills should you wish to take this path now or some time in the future.

We can also support you if you have already started your business. 

To register your interest, please click the following link: Free online business & self-employment courses | Eventbrite

The programme is provided by Canterbury District Council, delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and is designed for owner-managers and social enterprises to explore and develop high growth approaches.

By the end of the programme you will have:

• A high growth plan for your business
• Enhanced your management and strategic growth skills
• Improved business resilience and
• Explored innovation and how it can help growth

Businesses in Kent who have engaged with this type of programme previously have seen:

• Turnover increases in excess of 28%
• Significantly enhanced profits
• Improved access to funding
• Increased employment and the scale of their business

Our offer

Commencing from August 2023 and delivered online, you will receive in excess of 36 hours of support over a 12 month period from expert business advisors who have a track record of improving performance and building growth in the businesses they work with made up of:

• High Growth Workshops
• Monthly 2 hour peer networking sessions
• Monthly individual 1 hour 1-2-1 support working with an experienced advisor to work on your business challenges and growth strategies

The programme is 80% funded and delivers more than £4,500 of support. The cost to you is £50 per month for 12 months of support, payable quarterly in advance.

Who is eligible?

Businesses who have an appetite for growth in the Canterbury area and have been:

• Established 2 years with 5 employees and a turnover in excess of £500,000; or
• Established less than 2 years with funding in place and ambitious to grow

Complete the expression of interest form, then we will be in touch to go through the details and to enrol you on the programme – Expression Of Interest

Our programme is funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport until March 2025.

So, if you’re a social entrepreneur or social enterprise in Thanet, there’s never been a better time to sign up to the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost programme. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your enterprise to the next level, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Sign up today and let’s start building a better future together!

Eligibility criteria:

For the purpose of this programme, social enterprise is defined as either:

• an entrepreneur or unregistered organisation who is driven by a social or environmental purpose and can demonstrate a plan to work towards registration within the government definition below or;
• a registered social enterprise organisation within the government definition below;

“a social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners”.

A start-up is considered to be an organisation:

• Less than 5 years old and;
• Turnover of less than £250,000 in their last financial year.

Support (including grants of up to £10,000 to help kickstart or grow social enterprises, supporting the development of innovative ideas to tackle issues in Thanet) will be available to social enterprises delivering activities or services that provide social or environmental benefit within Thanet.

If you have any questions, email boost@sekgroup.org.uk

To register, please complete the Enquiry Form or telephone 01843 210005

Create South East is designed to help creative businesses. The programme will support you to develop the skills to secure investment so that you can achieve your ambitions for your company to grow. It is tailored to the needs of different creative disciplines, their respective markets, governance, and distribution models.

What do I get from the programme?

• 1-2-1 mentoring
• Peer to Peer Cohorts
• Tailored Workshops
• Investment Opportunities

This programme is free to the business as the activity has been funded by Create South East through the Create Growth Programme. The programme has a financial value of approximately £10k.

Companies can apply at any time by submitting an Expression of Interest form

Homepage (creativeengland.co.uk)

Eligible companies should a) be based in Essex, Kent & Medway or Sussex, b) have a registered company with creativity at its heart.

If you are eligible, we will invite you to meet a member of the team so that we can find out more about your business, and you can ask more questions about the programme.

Whether you’re an artist or accountant, baker or bricklayer, if you live in Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe or the wider Kent area our award-winning course will help you find your own path to self-employment.

Our live course consists of ten sessions of practical and easy-to-digest content giving you all the fundamentals you need to get a business off the ground and start making money.

The ten sessions are spread out over 10 days: all running from 10am until 3pm, either from Rebel HQ online via Zoom.

Through the course, you’ll learn:
How to start a business for free, Sales, Marketing, Pricing & Negotiation, Tax & Accounting, Building a Website for Free, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media, Pitching & Mindset.

To find out more or Register a Place, please click here: Rebel Business School Kent (Events

How does the Food and Drink Accelerator work?

Who is eligible to apply?

If you’re ambitious and interested in scaling-up your business, and fast, the Food and Drink Accelerator programme could be right for you.

We will support plant-based food and drink businesses from across the supply chain, including food products, technology or related services.

Your business must be based in Kent or Medway.

Why should I sign up for the Accelerator?

You will receive intensive support and guidance to help make your business goals a reality.

We cover a broad range of areas, including technology, consumer insight, regulatory factors, financial support and marketing.

Reasons to join the Accelerator:

• Expert guidance
• Peer-to-peer support
• Business mentoring
• Advice on accessing finance and investment readiness.

Please get in touch using the contact form below and our team will be in touch to talk you through our programme to see if this is right for you.

Get in touch with us at Growing Kent & Medway | Growing Kent & Medway (growingkentandmedway.com)

Business & IP Centre Kent (BIPC Kent), is part of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre National Network, and we are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

By partnering up with Kent Libraries, we’re supporting a thriving community of bright and inspiring people, whether you’re a new or existing business owner, we are here to support you in Kent.

Home » Resources

It’s crucial when you are starting a business to understand your market, competitors, and customer trends. Being part of the BIPC Network, BIPC Kent can provide you access to over £5 Million worth of resources, such as online market reports from top publishers, company data for over 144 million UK and global companies, start-up books and business directories, 700,000 historical annual reports, and over 60 million patents.

Have a questsion? Book a free consultations with one of our experts:

Resources – Business & IP Centre Kent (bipckent.org.uk)

Digital Boost is a free online platform that supports people who work at small businesses and charities to get the essential skills and advice they need to adopt new digital ways of working and grow their businesses. We are owned by the educational charity Founders4Schools.

+ Free 1:1 online conversations with a wide range of volunteer expert mentors:
‍
– Fast answers to their unique business questions
– Personalised guidance & advice
– Objective feedback & ideas
‍
+ Hands-on workshops covering topics such as SEO, Facebook Ads, cloud computing, payment systems, and much more

+ Personalised recommendations for short courses

+ A resource library to access at their own pace

Sign Up for Digital Boost

• General Business Advice to any type or age of business in Kent

Follow the Ask Phil link and fill in the contact form to request a call back – Ask Phil 

• One to One support and advice Day Clinics offering business advice to any type and age of business

Call 01622 239300 or email us at getstarted@maidstone.gov.uk

Online Export Support; 24/7 access to guidance, tools and services to help with the following:

• Establishing a business overseas
• Expand your knowledge
• Find a new export market
• Funding and Finance
• Duties, taxes and customs
• Codes, tariffs and procedures

No need to apply, you can use the tools provided online or alternatively contact them by filling out the enquiry form.