Business and investment in Rutland

Rutland businesses have access to funded business support and resources tailored to assist you at any stage of your business journey.

Think Rutland Business Support Service 

Welcome to Think Rutland Business Support: empowering Rutland’s entrepreneurs and business leaders. 

Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an established business, Think Rutland Business Support is here to help you thrive. This free-to-access service is tailored to meet the needs of local businesses at every stage of their journey.

This support is funded by by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The support is delivered by Rutland County Council and will be available until March 2026. 

What we offer

• grants and access to finance: discover funding opportunities to fuel your growth
• expert one-to-one business advice: get personalised guidance from experienced business advisors
• workshops and training: build your skills with practical, hands-on learning
• networking opportunities: connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and local business leaders
• effective signposting: we’ll guide you to the right resources, partners, and support services

This service is designed to support you through every phase of your business development—from idea to expansion. Our expert advisor is here to help you navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve your goals.

Our support covers

Pre-start: thinking of starting a business? We’ll help you understand the essentials, build your confidence, and take your first steps with clarity.

Early-stage - just launched? We’ll help you lay a strong foundation with strategic advice aligned to your long-term goals.

Improvement and growth - ready to grow? Tap into expert insights and tailored support to scale your business sustainably and successfully.

Ready to get started? Visit our 'Think Rutland Business Support' pages to sign up. 

Made Smarter East Midlands

Made Smarter East Midlands Digital experts will provide advice and support to manufacturing businesses on how to switch to advanced and automated technologies. The programme provides digital transformation road mapping, leadership development, grant funding and access to industrial digital technology expertise to help with implementation until 31 March 2026.

Visit the Made Smarter website to see if you are eligible for support.

Create Growth

The Create Growth programme offers bespoke development packages aimed at enhancing business skills and knowledge of various finance routes for growth. These packages will include free, tailored business support specifically for high-growth potential creative businesses. The program offers a mix of workshops, masterclasses, peer-learning opportunities, and 1-on-1 mentoring, particularly focusing on investment readiness. Participants will have the opportunity to apply for funding from Innovate UK.

Visit the Create Growth website to see if you are eligible for support.

Help to Grow Management Course

Help to Grow is designed to help boost your leadership skills and your business performance. The course runs over 12 weeks and includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring and peer networking. The full course is worth £7,500 but it is 90% government funded so small businesses pay just £750 per person. However, De Montfort University and the University of Leicester are offering the course fully funded.

Visit the Small Business Charter website to learn more about the course, find upcoming dates and register your interest.

There may be funding available to help you grow or set up your business.

Sir Thomas White Business Loan Charity

Sir Thomas White are an equal opportunity organisation, providing personal loans for new business ideas and established businesses needing investment. Eligible candidates may borrow up to £20,000 interest free for 9 years to establish themselves in their chosen career/business. Trustees will consider applications for loans for business purposes of up to £10,000 from applicants who are unable to provide the required number of guarantors. Applicants must be:

• over 18 and under 45 years of age
• resident in Leicestershire or Rutland and wanting to start a business or require additional funds for growth / expansion
• going to base or are already running the business in Leicestershire or Rutland

Visit The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity website for more information and full eligibility criteria.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. They help UK businesses to grow through innovation.

They offer funding and support across all academic disciplines and industrial areas from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences, and the arts and humanities.

Search current funding opportunities from across UKRI, research councils and Innovate UK.

Rutland businesses can apply for the ‘New Innovators in agri-tech and food technology, Eastern England’ competition. The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to enable ambitious UK registered micro and small businesses to develop highly innovative ideas that have a clear route to commercialisation and business growth. The businesses will use the funding to grow their innovation activities in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Eastern England, both during and after the project.

View the competition webpage for full details.

Find a grant

Find a grant is a service that allows you to search government grants. You can use this service to:

• access government grant funding
• search and filter to find a grant that matches your needs
• find out if you are eligible to apply for a grant
• find out how to apply for a grant

Visit the Find a Grant website to search.

Local Skills Improvement Plan

In September 2022, FSB was commissioned by the UK Government’s Department for Education to undertake Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland area. LSIPs are a key part of achieving the aim set out initially in the Skills for Jobs White Paper, which looked to put employers more firmly at the heart of the skills system. The goal is to ensure businesses and people have the skills they need to thrive and progress.

Visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website for more information.

Careers Hub

Careers Hubs unite schools, colleges, employers, and apprenticeship providers throughout England. Their aim is to enhance the readiness of young people for their future careers. The Careers Hub can support your business to engage with local schools and colleges.

Business benefits:

• cultivate a talent pipeline for your industry and business
• foster stronger ties with the local community
• provide opportunities for your current workforce to volunteer and grow
• increase awareness of your sector and business/organisation to students, teachers and parents

Visit the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership website to learn more about the Careers Hub.

Rutland Adult Learning & Skills Service (RALSS)

Part of Rutland County Council, RALSS offer a range of learning opportunities aiming to upskill and boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards, delivered through their well-equipped building on the outskirts of Oakham.

Rutland Adult Learning and Skills Service offers a variety of courses to adults aged 19+. English, ESOL, Maths, Counselling and Digital Skills courses are provided free-of-charge to adults who meet funding criteria. RALSS’ free Multiply courses focus on maths and other key skills e.g. Cooking on a Budget, The Basics of Budgeting or Shopping Online. Some of these, along with RALSS’ Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid courses, could be delivered at your premises.

RALSS can also organise training specifically to suit your business’s needs – e.g. Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding, Digital Skills and more. Please get in touch to find out how they can help upskill your workforce.

Visit our RALSS section for more information.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are suitable for people at any age and any level. You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee, allowing you to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. They help you to:

• offer on-the-job training in a safe working environment
• build a culture of learning and development
• enjoy higher staff retention and morale
• promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Visit the Apprenticeship website to find information and a range of resources to support you.

T Levels

T Levels are a new qualification for students aged 16 to 19 in England who've finished GCSEs.

T Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action. If you are an employer in England, you can offer an industry placement to a T Level student.

Visit the T Level website for more information.

Rutland Chamber

The Rutland Chamber of Commerce, affiliated with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, supports local businesses in Rutland. Recognized as a British Chambers of Commerce Accredited Chamber, it taps into a vast global network. With over 130 years of experience, the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce extends its support to Rutland, fostering connections, knowledge sharing, and growth opportunities through various events and resources. Supported by the dedicated team of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the Rutland Chamber aims to facilitate the county's collective growth. They host regular networking events for members and non-members.

Visit the Rutland Chamber website for more information.

Federation of Small Business (FSB)

The FSB provides its members with a diverse array of essential business services, encompassing advice, financial expertise, support, and advocacy, ensuring their voices are heard within government. The FSB host regular events open to members and non-members.

Visit the FSB website for more information about membership, support and events.

Networking events

• In the Hive
• Rutland BNI
• The Business Room - Oakham
• Rutland Chamber networking
• Oakham Professionals Group (OPG)