SparkFund: Grant Funding Deadline Approaching SparkFund works with businesses in the Yorkshire & Humber region to successfully deliver growth, product development and innovation projects. A combination of grant funding and expert support has successfully assisted nearly 200 businesses to date. Could yours be the next business to benefit? The SparkFund deadline is approaching, and businesses interested in finding out more are encouraged to contact our Growth Managers, Alistair Forbes and Bea Olah.

Here for a Chat, Here to Help: Free Business Support Are you thinking of starting your own business, or are you in business and planning the next steps? Whatever stage your business is at having a chat about your ideas and questions, with experienced advisers, can help you and your business. We've partnered with business support specialists from Ad-Venture, the Growth Manager service and Y&NY Growth Hub to provide free business support drop-in days that will give you the confidence to take the next step. This is a new, free service from the friendly, local team - ready to answer your business questions, and connect you with funding programmes and business resources (depending on business eligibility and programme criteria). Hosted at the Co-Lab workspace in Harrogate town centre, the drop-in days are held each month, with the next ones on 10 August and 14 September. For more details on this, and other business support services, please visit our website or email the business team.

Business Diary 27 July: Looking to make your business greener? Drop-in to the free, online Net-Zero support session, and find out how your business can benefit. 28 July: "Intellectual Property (IP) can account for more than 70% of your business' value". Find out how to protect your IP with the free IP Basics webinar. 2 August: HMRC webinar for sole traders and partnerships on Record Keeping for the Self-employed. 10 August: Business support drop-in hosted at Harrogate Co-Lab. Chat through your business ideas and questions with local specialists (free service). 17 August: A free workshop from Pro-Development with guidance for businesses on How to retain and engage your people and increase productivity and sales. Plan ahead 12 September: Harrogate Chamber, Carbon Reduction Makes Business Sense.  22 September: Connect over a Cuppa, guest experts, networking & business support.  20 October: The Employers' Network at Harrogate College is inviting businesses to join them at the annual meeting, and influence the training being delivered locally.

FSB Fully-Funded Membership Offer for the Harrogate District Eligible businesses in the Harrogate district are encouraged to take up the offer of one year's fully-funded membership of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Membership of the FSB offers eligible businesses access to a range of services, including legal advice. Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) is supporting the membership offer using Government COVID-19 business recovery funding. For full details and to apply for the membership offer please email [email protected] with the reference HBC.

Business Bulletin Entrepreneurs and business leaders are invited to share their experience by joining the national Help to Grow: Management, Volunteer Mentors scheme. Businesses looking to celebrate their achievements are encouraged to consider applying for the annual Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.  Discover the local skills training on offer at Harrogate College with their latest business newsletter.  A practical guide for smaller businesses on How to improve energy efficiency in your business, and reduce emissions, has been published by the FSB. Guidance on changes to new product safety marking (UKCA) and the rules taking effect from 1 January 2023, has been published on GOV.UK. The national Sustainable Small Business Awards hosted by Enterprise Nation are open for entries during July, with a closing date of 3 August.

Go Green, Reduce Carbon Emissions: Practical Resources Businesses that are looking to 'go green' and reduce their environmental impact can access a range of free resources online: the SME Climate Hub is a global initiative, supported by the UK government. Offering ideas and business connections the Hub provides practical resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, and make a positive difference to their business and customers. the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition promotes and implements carbon reduction activities throughout the district. Working with local organisations and businesses the Coalition welcomes new members and sharing examples of reducing carbon emissions from transport, energy and buildings.

Website harrogate.gov.uk/business Enquiries [email protected] ‌

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