Business advice, start-up services and business support - Essex
Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (COLBEA)
What it funds
1:1 advice, signposting, start-up services, training and premises.
How to apply
Apply via the scheme website: https://www.colbea.co.uk/startup-businesses/
Last checked against the official source: 6 Jul 2026. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
Related schemes
Apprenticeship Funding (government co-investment)
Department for Education
For non-levy employers, government pays 95% of apprenticeship training costs — and 100% for small employers taking on eligible young apprentices — plus £1,000 incentive payments in some cases.
Development Bank of Wales Business Loans
Development Bank of Wales
Flexible loans (and equity) from £1,000 to £10m for Welsh businesses — micro loans, growth capital, property and succession finance with patient terms.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Innovate UK
Funds a high-calibre graduate (Associate) plus academic team embedded in your business for 12-36 months to deliver a strategic innovation project. SMEs typically pay ~33% of project costs.