A round up of business news including; information on new support services, grant funding, success stories, advice and information and dates for your diary.



Success Story – Sweet Cumin
06 October 2016
An award-winning cook and Indian food producer is exploring how to take her business national with Heart of the South West Growth Hub. Bini Ludlow runs Sweet Cumin, a cookery school that teaches Indian and traditional Gujarati cooking, having been taught by her mother at aged eight how to use spices and the best ingredients.
Read moreSuccess Story – Quelque Chose Ltd
26 September 2016
A fashion entrepreneur is set to launch an innovative way of buying personalised clothing to a national and international market, with the help of Heart of the South West Growth Hub. Mark, who runs Quelque Chose Ltd based in Devon, has worked in the design and manufacturing end of the fashion industry for 20 years,
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The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF)
20 September 2016
The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is available from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The Fund aims to: Support rural communities – by helping them to maximise the income generating potential of renewable energy and put this to work locally. Make progress against the Government’s target to increase renewable energy generation,
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The Devon Environmental Awards 2016 run by Debi Launched
13 September 2016
Devon’s greenest awards are now open for entry The awards are open to any organisation of any size in the Devon region, and encompass business, the public sector, community and education. All entrants need to do is show how their organisation is committed to operating in environmentally friendly ways, whether through day to day operations
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Iridescent Ideas CIC – Forerunner Prize
07 September 2016
What is the Forerunner Prize? The Forerunner Prize provides an opportunity for anyone to develop a tech-led business idea that has a good cause (i.e. social enterprise). The idea will solve problems and make a positive impact in the world. The focus in 2016 is on any of the following areas: •Bio, health and medical technology
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Celebrating Enterprise Award 2016
28 July 2016
Celebrating Enterprise is an annual event celebrating those that are excelling in enterprise learning and skills and brings together key players from the enterprise skills sector in the UK.
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Gov.uk – Businesses rate appeals reform set to streamline the system
28 July 2016
Businesses will benefit from a quicker and more efficient service when checking and challenging their business rates bills. •a new simple online service will allow customers to provide information and track progress of their check or challenge •new tailored package to support small businesses •weed out speculative appeals Businesses will benefit from a quicker and
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Venturefest South West 2016
27 July 2016
Call for tech entrepreneurs, innovators and investors as first Venturefest South West launches Venturefest South West, 18th October 2016, Sandy Park, Exeter A flagship event for innovators, entrepreneurs and investors in the technology sector has been announced for the region. Venturefest South West will be held at Sandy Park, Exeter on 18th October and will
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Innovate UK – Innovation grants for business
27 July 2016
Innovation: apply for a funding award Guidance for business and academic organisations on how to get funding to test ideas and develop innovative products and services. Overview If you want to develop an innovative product or service, you may be able to apply for funding of between £25,000 and £10 million. Innovate UK runs funding
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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK – 2017 programme open
26 July 2016
Do you run a successful business or social enterprise and are looking to grow? Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education and business support services. 10,000 Small Businesses is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation The programme
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