Funding & Incentives

Support for Small Businesses

• Start Up Loans – Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce »
  The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is helping people in Kent to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions with low interest loans of up to £25,000.  Support is available for those aged over 18 with pre-start or early start (less than 24 months old) business ideas.  Successful applicants will also receive free monthly mentoring and skills training for a full year. 
• Low Carbon Workspaces »
  The Low Carbon Across the South and East (LoCASE) programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund to provide a free business support programme in the South and East. The aim is to help your business to become more competitive and profitable while protecting the environment and encouraging low carbon solutions.  To do this, LoCASE provides grants for businesses of up to £10,000 as well as training workshops and fully funded events. Targeted business support is on offer for companies who offer “green” or low carbon goods and services.
• UnLtd »
  UnLtd are a charity that find, fund, and support Social Entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life and build sustainable social ventures 
• Kent and Medway Business Fund »
  0% loans between £50,000 and £500,000 for small and medium sized businesses
• Innovation loans »
  0% loans to small and medium sized businesses
• No Use Empty loan »
  Loans for property owners to convert empty buildings into quality residential housing
• Start Up Loan »
  Low interest loans for pre-start and early stage businesses. Borrow up to £25,000 at a 6% fixed interest rate
• Rate Relief »
  There are a number of rate reliefs available from Dover District Council including small business rate relief, retail discount and rural rate relief.