South Derbyshire Accelerator

Introducing the South Derbyshire Accelerator

South Derbyshire Accelerator is a brand new business support project designed to help businesses at all stages of development across South Derbyshire to sustain, grow and innovate, with an additional focus on decarbonisation.

The project which runs until 31 March 2025 is led by the East Midlands Chamber and is funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

What support can I access?

Working with an experienced business adviser, eligible businesses can access a range of support including:

• 1-2-1 advice, mentoring and diagnostic support on a range of areas relevant to your business. In addition to this, tailored support will be offered to businesses looking to invest in research and development.
• Training and action planning workshops: providing you with the latest learning and tools in areas such as digital skills.
• Growth vouchers: offering up to £2,000 (100% funded) for specialist consultancy and training (linked to the strategic plan developed with your business adviser. Available on a first-come, first-served basis).
• Help to Grow - Management course: £750 joining fee subsidy for this 12-week executive development leadership and management programme (together with the Government’s 90% support, this covers 100% of the costs).
• Grant funding: helping you identify and apply for funding to help you grow, increase efficiencies and build a sustainable business for the future.
• Networking and peer support: for example, through the East Midlands Manufacturing Network
• Energy saving and improvement audits providing you with a full asset register and an action plan on how to save costs.

Energy Audit or Decarbonisation Grants*

Investing in measures to reduce your energy costs and becoming greener really does pay dividends when it comes to future-proofing your business.

There are two immediate ways in which the Accelerator project can help you:

1. Reviewing your business’s energy consumption through an energy audit. Our expert consultant will review your gas and electricity bills as well as fuel consumption if you have a large fleet of vehicles. They’ll conduct a site visit using equipment such as cameras, infrared temperature sensors, energy monitors and temperature data loggers to collect information and collate it into an energy savings opportunity report. Once you have this intel, you can start to implement the appropriate changes or use it as supporting evidence for a decarbonisation grant application.
    
2. Our Decarbonisation Grant* offers a capital grant of up to £20,000 towards agreed energy-saving measures. Funded at 50% of costs, the grant can be used to increase productivity, purchase equipment, introduce new processes and techniques, export, and introduce new products or services.

*Please note this grant is now closed. 

To register your interest in either the energy audit please complete the Expression of Interest form.

How do I sign up?

Tapping into the support on offer couldn’t be easier.

If your business is based in the South Derbyshire area, simply complete the form below to register your interest, and a Business Adviser will be in touch to learn more about your business and to explore what support is most appropriate for you.

Accelerator Events

Find out more about the programme through our range of events covering the following themes:

• Email Marketing, CRM and Automation
• Finance & Funding
• HR & Employment Law
• Leadership & Management
• Marketing
• Organic Search
• Paid Digital Advertising
• Sales
• Social Media & Content Marketing
• Sustainability
• Website & eCommerce

Visit our Events Page to find out more about the full programme of Accelerator events

*The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6b of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

Find Out More

If you would like to know more about the support available from D2N2 Growth Hub, please complete the form below.