Lancaster University School of Management
This provides subsidized support to SMEs in the form of Help to Grow. The program is now open to applications starting in November. The scheme is 90% subsidized, costing just £750 per location for over 50 hours of support, including access to 10 hours of counseling. directly to help develop the Growth Action Plan. Learn more at www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/business/grow-your-business/help-to-grow/

Made smarter
Launched in 2019, Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Program is a government-funded and industry-led initiative that helps SME manufacturers digitize, decarbonise, and drive growth. To date, the program has provided this specialized range of support to more than 2,500 businesses across the region, including hundreds in Cumbria. Of these, 55 Cumbria-based businesses have received nearly £800,000 for technology projects, worth £2.5 million after £1.7 million in private sector investments. For more information visit www.madesmarter.uk

Cumbria Local Business Partnership
This can help businesses access a variety of sources of financing, including the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, which provides trade-focused financing through microfinance, debt and equity financing. Find out more at www.npif.co.uk. LEPs can also help businesses access the government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Program. Coupons worth up to £4,500 are available to households and businesses to help cover the cost of installing gigabit broadband, www.gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk. Alternatively, it can work with businesses to access government-backed Startup Loans worth up to £25,000, www.startuploans.co.uk. Find out more at www.thecumbrialep.co.uk

Enterprise’s answer
Headquartered in Penrith, Enterprise Answers provides loans to businesses across the north of England from £10,000 to £150,000 for a wide range of business needs including working capital, growth, equipment and facilities. Find out more at www.enterpriseanswers.co.uk