Business support programmes and organisations
Getting in touch with other members of the local business community can help you grow and develop your business. Whether you meet people from other business sectors, or within your own industry, networking can provide advice, support and useful contacts. Your local borough or district council may also provide advice and support.
Business support programmes
Ambition to Action
Running from August 2025 to March 2026, Ambition to Action is a fully funded programme for ambitious SMEs in Eastbourne, Lewes, Rother, and Wealden.
This programme provides up to 16 hours of tailored support, and includes one-to-one expert advice, action planning using the GROWTHmapper® tool, and access to peer learning cohorts.
Support is focused on helping businesses scale, innovate and diversify, with expertise in areas such as leadership and strategy, digital adoption and AI, access to finance, export readiness and low-carbon transition.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the partnership between Lewes, Eastbourne, Rother, and Wealden District Councils. It is managed by East Sussex County Council and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice.
Visit Ambition to Action to sign up and learn more.
East Sussex Digital Growth Series
Running from November 2025 to March 2026, the East Sussex Digital Growth Series offers free, in-person workshops for SMEs across Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, and Wealden.
Delivered by Portobello Business Centre in partnership with the East Sussex Growth Hub, the programme focuses on essential digital skills, including website optimisation, search visibility, content creation, AI and automation, data use and cyber security. The workshops are hands-on and designed to help businesses put learning into practice straight away, with supporting materials provided.
This series is funded through East Sussex Growth Hub, by HM Government. Registration is free and open now. Visit East Sussex Digital Growth Series to find out more.
Start Smart, Grow Strong
Running from September 2025 to February 2026, Start Smart, Grow Strong offers free workshops and expert advice to early-stage businesses across East Sussex.
Funded by Eastbourne Borough Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council, and delivered in partnership with Freedom Works, the programme includes in-person sessions and interactive webinars tailored for pre-start, start-up and micro businesses.
Participants will gain practical tools, peer support and access to expert mentors to help build strong foundations and plan for growth. Topics include business planning, finance, marketing, and productivity.
Registration is free and open now. For more information, dates, and to register your place, please visit the programmes Eventbrite page.
Breakthrough 3.0
Breakthrough 3.0 is a fully funded programme designed to support female entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who are based in East Sussex.
The programme is designed for women in business looking to grow their business with confidence. It is free to attend and is running until March 2026.
Funded by the East Sussex Growth Hub and delivered by always possible, the programme offers a mix of expert mentoring, tailored diagnostics, peer-to-peer learning, and practical workshops (responding to the needs of participants).
Participants will get tailored support to overcome challenges, refine their business strategy, and build a clear, sustainable plan for growth - all within a supportive, collaborative environment.
To enrol or find out out more, subscribe here >Breakthrough 3.0
To learn more
Case studies of some of the businesses that have already received support through our previous programmes are available to view on our Case studies page.
Business support and mentoring organisations
East Sussex Growth Hub
The East Sussex Growth Hub is a free, independent and publicly funded business support service for businesses across East Sussex.
Whether you are starting up, looking to grow or are seeking to overcome challenges to your business, we can help. Our team of business experts is dedicated to helping you find the right support, helping your business grow and helping to make East Sussex a great place to run a business.
Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Sussex
We offer a wealth of FREE online business resources that can help you to start your own business, build professional skills, connect with others, and grow.
The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Sussex is part of the British Library’s National Network of BIPCs across the UK.
BIPC Locals at Eastbourne Library and Hastings Library support entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises in Sussex, from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business.
As well as being a hub for entrepreneurs to network and attend events, Eastbourne Library and Hastings Library will provides 121 expert advice and access to a wealth of free online information - business databases, market research reports, company data and information on intellectual property. Whether you are just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your journey, we are here to help.
BIPC Sussex website (East Sussex Libraries)
Email: library.enquiries@eastsussex.gov.uk
Telephone: 07749 714546
BIPC Sussex Events (Eventbrite)
Resources for businesses
The government’s online resource for businesses contains essential information and tools for starting and growing a business.
Chambers of commerce
Linking together all the Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors in East Sussex.
- Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce for the whole of Sussex.
Enterprise organisations
Not-for-profit enterprise agency providing confidential and impartial business advice.
Lobbying and benefits group for small firms and self-employed people.
Business support across the south east of England.
Sector networking
The 1066 Country marketing partnership is committed to helping tourism businesses through joint marketing campaigns, website content, working with the travel trade and networking events.
Informal networking events for businesses in Lewes, taking place on the first Friday of every month.
Borough and district councils
Contracts and procurement
How to tender for contracts with East Sussex County Council.
The portal is a collaboration between public sector authorities in the South East region to provide a simple, secure and efficient way for managing sourcing and quotation activities, reducing time and cost for buyers and suppliers.
Free access to business opportunities, with procurement notices from across Europe.
Export forums
Detailed information on importing and exporting goods to and from the UK.
Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK.