Local Factsheet - North Devon

Heart of the South West Growth Hub can offer free advice and support services to businesses in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. Whether you need advice on how to access funding, finding business premises, a digital business review, business planning or on a specific business challenge, they can help.

At the Growth Hub, they have business advisers who are experienced in helping businesses at all stages of development as well as specific support programmes, a network of industry and local authority experts, useful resources and free events to help your business grow and develop.

While some support in provided in-house, advisers can connect you with the most appropriate support providers to answer your specific questions.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/

Tel: 03456 047 047

E-mail: info@heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk

Enquiry form: https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/get-in-touch/

North Devon District Council can provide a wealth of information on issues such as planning, environment, procurement, premises and licenses. Links are provided to networking groups, business directories and property searches.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website:  https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/business/

General: 01271 327711

Licensing: 01271 388870 

Business Rates: 01271 388361 

Economic Development: 01271 388275

Are you looking for support for your business?

Devon County Council can signpost you to available business support and funding opportunities in the area. A wealth of information is also available on the website including: trading standards information and advice, details on procurement with the council, apprenticeships, waste management and much more. 

Businesses and properties affected by flooding can access helpful resources and a flood reporting tool on the council's dedicated webpages: https://www.devon.gov.uk/floodriskmanagement/

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://new.devon.gov.uk/navigation/economy-and-enterprise/

Tel: 0345 155 1015 (Main switchboard)

E-mail: customer@devon.gov.uk

Businesses in North Devon and Torridge can access free one-to-one support to help them grow, create jobs, and become more sustainable.  Working with a business adviser, there is also access to a potential Shared Prosperity grant of £1,500 towards the cost (80%) of any improvement projects identified.   
For more information and to express your interest, email the team.

Eligibility: Available to trading businesses (under 50 employees, less than £10 million turnover).

Closing date: March 2026.

Website: https://northdevonplus.co.uk/our-services/business-boost-programme/

Email: boost@northdevonplus.co.uk

BIP Enterprise Agency provides support to help small businesses start and grow. They offer 1 to 1 advice from their team of business advisors, as well as a series of free business skills workshops and webinars.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://businessinfopoint.co.uk/ 

Tel: 0800 592 872

E-mail: team@businessinfopoint.co.uk

Business West offers a range of excellent business solutions, including mentoring, access to finance, digital hub resources, events and workshops, premises, exporting (including documentation), training and networking.

Some charges for services may apply.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.businesswest.co.uk/

Tel: 01275 373 373

Are you thinking about starting a new business or becoming self-employed?

Free, fully funded, short courses offered online, providing an introduction to the key considerations of starting a business or becoming self-employed.  Learners will gain two enterprise qualifications, and receive ongoing support for three months afterwards.  To register your interest, complete the online form.

Following completion of the course, participants have the option to join further free programmes focussed on digital promotion and digital skills in the business, covering areas including using digital technologies and software for word processing, presentations and spreadsheets and digital skills career progression.

They also provide access to a fully funded, self-paced online Functional Skills course to help people build on their abilities in English and Maths, equivalent to a GCSE qualification.

For ex-offenders who have left the prison service, Through the Gate Support, provides learners with the opportunity to gain a recognised business qualification.  Through a series of engaging sessions, the course covers all the basics of starting up, and supports learners to work with other specialist ex-offender agencies as part of their resettlement journey.  To make an enquiry contact the team by emailing referrals@kickoffinbusiness.co.uk. 

Eligibility: Available for people over the age of 19, not started trading or within the first 12 months of trading.

Website: https://www.kickoffinbusiness.co.uk

General contact form: https://www.kickoffinbusiness.co.uk/contact

Businesses looking to improve their carbon footprint, can access free online training to help their future-proofing strategy and adoption of new digital tools.  Support includes interactive virtual sessions, mentoring networking and digital leadership certification.

Ideal for CEOs, directors, managers, and digital champions, it will focus on areas including:
- enhancing productivity and decision-making
- using digital platforms
- experimentation and innovation
- learning about AI
- horizon scanning for future opportunities
- advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy measures

Training is provided by Cosmic on behalf of Devon County Council, funded by the Heart of the Southwest Local Growth Deal.  You can find out more and apply for support via the website.

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses and community organisations.

Closing date: 31st May 2025.

Website: https://www.cosmic.org.uk/digital-skills/free-digital-skills-training/unlock-your-business-potential-digital-leadership-programme-for-smes

Tel: 0330 088 3005

E-mail: info@cosmic.org.uk

Through Devon Business & IP Centre you can access a collection of online databases and publications, attend practical workshops and one-to-one advice sessions with experts in different areas. The databases and publications can be used to research start-up information, market research, companies, standards and news. Information on trademarks, patents, registered designs, copyright and other intellectual property (IP) issues is also available.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/

Tel: 01392 407 027 or 01392 384218 - Exeter

Tel: 01271 318 780 - Barnstaple

E-mail: bipc@librariesunlimited.org.uk

Support is provided with food labelling, guidance on Consumer Rights legislation, the rules surrounding livestock movements and more.

Free business guides are available to support businesses, however if additional support is available this will be chargeable.  

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/business/

Tel: 01392 381381 (details will be taken by an officer and the team will contact you within 5 working days)

E-mail: tradingstandards@devon.gov.uk

A range of support and resources for businesses looking to improve their knowledge and use of digital technologies to help their business grow.  Businesses can benefit through 1:1 advice from a Digital Business Connector, as well as free-to-access tools and resources, digital guides, courses, events and workshops.  To express your interest, complete the online form or contact the team.

Eligibility:  Available for all trading stages.  

Website: https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/digital-link/

Contact form: https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/contact-us/

Tel: 03456 047 047

Email: info@heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk 

Led by serving police officers, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West provides guidance and support to small businesses and charities to protect themselves from cyber-crime. Their free core membership package offers simple and comprehensible guidance on reducing cyber risks. Other services such as vulnerability assessments and security awareness training are available at a cost – more information can be found on the website. 

They are also running a series of free cyber resilience workshops on behalf of The Growth Hub Gloucestershire.

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business. 

Website: https://www.swcrc.co.uk/

Online contact form: https://www.swcrc.co.uk/contact-us  

SETsquared is a business incubator that provides a range of services to help turn innovative ideas into thriving businesses. The services and programmes available includes: coaching and mentoring, access to professional service firms and services, networks, investor readiness training to raise finance, commercialisation of research, news, insight and events.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading within the innovation and technology sector.

Website: http://www.setsquared.co.uk/

Online contact form: http://www.setsquared.co.uk/contact-us

Businesses in Devon looking to enhance digital skills for themselves or their employees can access a fully-funded programme of up to 35 hours of training sessions on key topics:

- Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Teams to collaborate and stay organised.
- Workplace tools and AI-powered automation to work smarter, not harder.
- How to get found online, use digital marketing effectively, and grow your business.

Express your interest via the website or contact the team for more information.

Eligibility: Available trading businesses and their employees.

Closing date: 30th June 2025.

Website: https://www.cosmic.org.uk/digital-skills/free-digital-skills-training/workplace-digital-skills

E-mail: planning@cosmic.org.uk

Tourism businesses across Devon and Somerset can access a free online software tool providing up-to-date insight on how sector and visitor trends are evolving for the area.  The hub's aim is to help businesses and organisations in the tourism sector understand visitor behaviours so they can make better decisions about marketing, planning, policy making and investing in the local tourism sector for the future.

Participants are also asked to provide basic information about themselves and update it on a regular basis.  No-one else can see this data, but when combined with all the other intelligence in the system, each user will be able to understand more, including being able to compare their performance with sector peers.

The initiative has been funded initially by the Heart of the South West LEP, and developed in partnership with tourism businesses and organisations in the region, as well as Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Devon’s Top Attractions and PASC.

For more information and to receive an invite to the system, watch the introductory webinar then email the team to sign-up.

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses in the leisure and tourism sector: accommodation, visitor attraction, conference provider, food and beverage.

Website: https://swvehub.co.uk/ 

E-mail: help@swvehub.co.uk

A programme for manufacturing companies in the West of England. Made Smarter is designed to help accelerate growth through access to a range of support.

This includes advice from digital specialists with a fully funded assessment and digital roadmap for your business, help with your strategy to implement new technologies, leadership development, access to digital skills resources and workshops, support for technological innovations, plus up to 50% match-funding (up to £20,000) towards the purchase of hardware and software.

To find out more and make an enquiry, visit the website.

Eligibility: Manufacturing businesses that have begun trading who are looking to grow.

Closing date: March 2026

Website: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-west/

Innovate UK Business Growth (was Innovate UK EDGE) is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It provides intensive, specialist-led support to ambitious innovation-led businesses to help them grow and scale.

Each high-potential, innovative business is supported by a dedicated innovation & growth specialist local to them. The specialist will consider a business in the round and, working closely with its leadership, identify the most productive ways to accelerate its growth. This could be by working on the core business plan and value proposition or through exploiting innovation, accessing funding and finance, and/or expanding into new markets.

In particular, the specialists can help companies to develop an innovation-driven business plan; understand how to protect and create value from their intellectual property; develop a strategy to fund and finance their innovation, growth and be investment ready; connect to new partners for commercial, technology and R&D collaborations; and discover opportunities in overseas markets learning how to capitalise on them.

Innovate UK Business Growth  also offer the Scaleup Programme for enhanced support, the Global Incubator Programme and the Global Business Innovation Programme.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading (innovative businesses, looking to grow and scale their business in the UK market and internationally) with up to 500 employees (250 in Northern Ireland). It is not suitable for pre-starts, or for those businesses who have no ambition to grow through innovation or internationalisation.

Website: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth/

Online Contact Form: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth-contact/ 

Tel: 0300 123 3066  (National Gateway)

Access to Finance SW is a free business finance platform, bringing together a community of business professionals offering guidance, and signposting the latest news and opportunities emerging on the financial horizon.  Run by Tech South West and funded by the Heart of the South West LEP, they have a range of resources including ‘Insight Report: Everything You Need to Know About Raising Venture Capital Funding’; a comprehensive guide providing insights into Venture Capital (VC) and sharing the central knowledge to help equip businesses to achieve success. The Insight Report is available to read online or download by visiting the Resources tab on the Access to Finance SW digital platform.

Eligibility: All stages of business, including those not yet trading.

Website: www.accesstofinancesw.co.uk

Email: hello@accesstofinancesw.co.uk

The Student Employment Team at the University of Exeter can connect local employers with the student community through a range of different schemes and initiatives.  Businesses needing support with projects or challenging tasks and don't have the internal resource, can consider employing an Exeter student to help.  
Green Consultants - offers employers the opportunity to work with inspired University of Exeter students, keen to start their careers in the environmental and sustainability sector.
Student Business Partnership - recruit current students into your business.
Access to Internships (A2i) - can provide employers with funding to offset the cost of hiring a University of Exeter student on a paid internship in the UK.
Graduate Business Partnership - supports employers from a range of sectors, to recruit recent graduates into early career job roles.

Express your interest via one of the above schemes, or contact the team using the online contact form, to find out more about the opportunities for your business.

Eligibility: Available to businesses that have started trading. 

Website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/employer-engagement/

Employer enquiry form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=d10qkZj77k6vMhM02PBKU8tXl6WokK1Dvk0-Idn-4DlUNFJUS1QyMFc0RUNCSUw0V0VaTzJKMEpHMS4u

University of Plymouth can support your business with a wide range of services to help you innovate.  Drawing on their network of research expertise and facilities, they can collaborate with you to find innovative solutions to challenges.  This includes specialist advice, guidance and support regarding how to protect your intellectual property. 

Through their R&D Solutions Fund, awards of up to  £20,000 are also available to support collaborative early-stage research, feasibility studies, or project implementation, and can be used to cover academic, and/or business partners research time.

Whether you are looking to make efficiencies, explore new markets, or need specialist expertise and access to facilities for R&D projects, their Enterprise Solutions team can discuss your needs and explore the options with you.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/enterprise-solutions

E-mail: enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk

A programme offering advice and guidance for manufacturers in the South West to work towards achieving Net Zero in their business. Support includes access to an online information hub, dedicated help from a Low Carbon Specialist to assess your carbon footprint and develop an action plan to address priority areas for change, networking opportunities, peer-to-peer learning, and specialist support from clean growth experts. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by the University of Plymouth. To find out more and to register your interest in the project, visit the website.

Eligibility: Available to all trading manufacturing businesses.

Closing Date: April 2026

Website: https://www.swmas.co.uk/business-support/make-it-net-zero 

Tel: 01278 767 010

E-mail: netzero@swmas.co.uk 

Do you need legal advice? Lawyers for your business is a scheme offering a free half-hour consultation with a member of the Law Society.

The lawyer will not be able to deal with existing legal issues but can help with general legal enquiries about starting a business, employing people, contracts with customers and suppliers, taking on leased premises, business structures, health and safety and raising finance. When contacting a solicitor for a 30-minute free consultation you must advise you are calling regarding the Lawyers for your business scheme and use the named contact on the sheet sent to you from the service.

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading up to 12 months including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Tel: 020 7320 5650 - If you need help with using the find a solicitor section, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

E-mail: lfyb@lawsociety.org.uk - please include postcode or town/city in the e-mail.

For solicitors interested in joining the LFYB scheme
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/individual-accreditations/lawyers-for-your-business

The BAME start-up grant programme is designed to kickstart brand new businesses, started by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic founders in Devon.  The project aims to support 22 ventures, offering financial support up to the value of £500, and up to 12 hours of business coaching support.

To express interest, complete the online application form and submit along with your business plan.  If you have any questions or would like guidance on preparing a business plan first, contact the BIPC team on the email address below.  

Support is delivered by BIPC Devon in partnership with the Diversity Business Incubator.
 
Eligibility: Available for socially or ethically conscious businesses, who are either not trading yet or have turned over less than £1,000.

Website: https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/resources/bamestartupgrant

Email: bipc@librariesunlimited.org.uk

The Town Centre Enhancement Scheme offers small grants to help independent businesses in North Devon improve, repair, or refurbish their shop fronts and undertake enhancement projects. The goal is to encourage upgrades that highlight the individuality of businesses and preserve the historic character of town centres.

North Devon will contribute up to 50% of total eligible project costs, with businesses expected to match the contribution. The maximum grant available is £2000 or 50% of eligible project costs; whichever is the lower amount. The grant is ideal for supporting small repair or improvement projects such as fascia repairs, signage, painting and decorating, guttering, lighting and more.

Eligibility: Applicants include freehold owners, lessees, short-hold tenants, small or micro businesses, charities, social enterprises, and businesses in sectors like retail, cafes, restaurants, pubs, tourism, and leisure.

Website: https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/business/business-support-and-grants/business-support/town-centre-enhancement-scheme

Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk 

Tel: 01271 327711

Are you based in the South West of England and are looking for a business loan?

SWIG Finance provides a range of business loans to viable businesses. Loans range from £500 up to  £250,000.  To find out more, visit the website or contact the team who will connect you to the right options for your business.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading but may vary depending on the scheme.

Website: https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/

Tel: 01872 227 930 / 01872 227 932

E-mail: info@swigfinance.co.uk

Plymouth University is inviting applications to its Net-Zero Solutions Fund which aims to support enterprises and researchers to work together to tackle net-zero challenges and exploit net-zero opportunities.

The fund is about finding solutions to issues faced by your business in attempting to achieve net zero: for example, looking at your company’s emissions and finding solutions to reduce them, or exploring new ways to use waste products produced by your business.

The fund is open to collaborations between enterprises throughout the South West (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset) and University of Plymouth researchers. It offers funding of up to £7,500 per company to cover researcher time and the cost of consumables and small items of equipment.

The funding is to be used towards the costs of employing the researcher. Up to 25% of your allocated funding can go towards consumables, including purchasing small items of equipment or accessing the University’s facilities and equipment.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/institutes/sustainable-earth/net-zero-exchange/net-zero-solutions-fund

Email: sustainabilityhub@plymouth.ac.uk

Offering a range of finance options, SWIF aims to provide finance to new and growing small businesses that may otherwise struggle to access it, across the whole South West region.
Funded by the British Business Bank and delivered by selected finance partners, organisations can apply for a range of loans starting at £25,000, through to equity finance of up to £5 million.  They can support investments in various projects such as expansion, product or service innovation, and new processes, skills or purchase of capital equipment.  The individual funds support different areas of the South West, further details are available on the website.

Eligibility: Available for all trading stages, subject to the eligibility criteria of the specific fund.

Website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/nations-and-regions-investment-funds/south-west-investment-fund

Tel: 0203 772 1340

Contact Form 

Entrepreneurs in North Devon and Torridge can access funding and mentorship support to scale their ventures further. North Devon Angels is an investment group helping high-potential start-ups and ambitious early-stage businesses to bridge their funding gap while driving innovation and local economic growth. By connecting start-ups with experienced angel investors, the group hopes to provide valuable strategic guidance to help businesses succeed.

The initiative is a partnership between Tech South West, North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, and Angel Investors Bristol.

Businesses seeking investment and investors interested in joining the group can learn more by emailing the team.

Eligibility: Available to trading, early stage companies with high growth potential.

Website: https://www.techsouthwest.co.uk/new-south-west-angel-investor-group-launched-to-stimulate-tech-investment/

E-mail: ben.cooper@techsouthwest.co.uk

North Devon District Council
https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/business/contracts-and-procurement/
Tel: 01271 388285 
Email: supplyingndc@northdevon.gov.uk

Supplying the South West
https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/
Contact via website only

Construction of Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Plant - Hinkley Supply Chain Team
Supply chain database actively matches the requirements of contractors involved on the Hinkley Point C project with suitably skilled South West and South Wales companies. In addition, businesses can email the team should they need help with sourcing related business support; workforce skills, accreditation, strategy, management, procurement or tendering processes.
Website: www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk
Tel:01823 443425
E-mail: info@hinkleysupplychain.co.uk or scott.jenkins@hinkleysupplychain.co.uk

Heart of the South West Growth Hub
Events and workshops from the local Growth Hub.
https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/events/

Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
Opportunities to network, connect, learn and grow. Membership fees may apply.
http://devonchamber.co.uk/

Institute of Directors (IoD) 
A programme of events and courses to attend.
www.iod.com/events-community/regions/south-west

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
Events calendar for UK based businesses.
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar.html

Devon Business and IP Centre
A range of workshops, presentations and master classes for start-ups, entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/events/

Food & Drink Devon
Representing the food and drink sector.
http://www.foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk/

Taste of the West
A membership organisation for food and drink producers, distributors, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, farm shops and speciality retailers in the South West.
http://www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/

Devon Young Farmers
Networking association for young farmers and young people in the countryside.
http://www.devonyfc.co.uk/

North Devon Manufacturers Association
Represent the interests of manufacturing and supporting service industries. Meetings, networking, social events and visits.
http://www.ndma.org.uk/

North Devon District Council
Information on land and property available to businesses.
https://northdevon.gov.uk/business/land-and-property/

Devon Delivers
Business parks, work hubs and enterprise zones for businesses in Devon.
https://www.devondelivers.co.uk/why-devon/business-parks-and-work-hubs/
E-mail: devon.delivers@devon.gov.uk

Barnstaple Work Hub
Flexible desk space, meeting rooms, virtual office facilities and networking opportunities.
http://www.barnstaple-workhub.co.uk/
Tel: 01271 828 176

Node Cowork - Barnstaple 
Offers a range of coworking facilities and offices for start-ups that are growing and scaling. They also provide programmes and events to support member businesses, including a club for start-ups, an accelerator programme for potential high-growth companies, surgeries, one-off workshops and larger-scale events, and general support from the centre team.
https://thetownsquare.co.uk/spaces/barnstaple 
Tel: 01271 452 442
E-mail: barnstaple@townsq.co.uk