Hull & East Yorkshire Business Support

Invest Hull HEY Growth Hub Part of the Business Growth Service
Funded by UK Government

Working together to support local businesses at every stage.

Three organisations, one shared offer. Whether you're just starting out or an existing business looking to grow, there is free and impartial support available.

What we do

  • 1-2-1 Advice

    We understand how complex running a business can be. Every business is different, so we start by understanding where you are in your journey — whether you're still considering starting up or already established — and tailor support to your specific needs and challenges.

  • Start Up

    Support before and just after you start trading: to develop your idea, research the market, assess whether it is viable, build a business plan and explore the funding available to help you launch.

  • Grants

    A range of funding schemes is available, and businesses can access a variety of funds to support growth or diversification plans. Talk to us about current local funding, as well as wider grants, loans, venture capital and awards.

  • Events

    Working with partners, we run workshops, events and networking opportunities designed around what the business community currently needs, and delivered across the region through the year.

    Invest East Yorkshire events Invest Hull events

  • Directory

    We manage The Supply Chain Network Supplier Directory. Register for free to showcase your products and services, increase your visibility, generate new enquiries and receive alerts on tenders relevant to your business.

    Browse the Supplier Directory

  • Opportunities

    The Supply Chain Network opportunities map shares intelligence on developments, tender and bid opportunities and requests for quotations. Whether you're building a pipeline of contracts to apply for, or looking for a supplier and want to post an opportunity, the platform is free and straightforward to use.

    Search current opportunities

  • Resources

    The HEY Business Support Resource Portal is a one-stop shop for information, articles, videos, tools and templates covering a wide range of subjects from a variety of sources. Register for free access and search hundreds of resources tailored to your business needs.

    Visit the HEY Resource Portal

  • Signposting

    We work closely with other services and partners so that you get the right support, advice or funding from the most relevant source. Where it's needed, we also contract directly with business and sector specialists to deliver workshops, resources and advice alongside our own services.

  • Expertise

    We cover a wide range of business disciplines and sectors, working collectively so you reach the most relevant knowledge and experience. Advice and guidance is also drawn from other council departments — planning, licensing, business rates and environmental health — and from external partners including universities, trade advisers and sector specialists.

Why use us

What businesses say about working with us.

I can't speak highly enough of the support I have received from Sarah and the whole Invest East Yorkshire team. As newcomers to East Yorkshire, we were looking for guidance to help turn our vision for the Burlington Blitz 1940's Tea Rooms into a successful business and the help we have received has been invaluable.
Alison BeaumontOwner and Director, Burlington BlitzBridlington Supported by Invest East Yorkshire
A welder at work at Shields (Driffield) Ltd
As a company, we have enjoyed a long and positive relationship with the East Riding business support team. As the business has grown and our plans have changed we have worked closely with them, not just in relation to financial assistance but also for ongoing advice and guidance.
Carey KellyDirector, Shields (Driffield) LtdDriffield Supported by Invest East Yorkshire
Rebecca Holmes of The Little Ark Events Company
The start-up workshops really brought everything together. They were incredibly informative and useful. They covered all the essentials — and more — from financial planning to marketing and the practical steps of setting up a business.
Rebecca HolmesThe Little Ark Events CompanyEast Riding Supported by Invest East Yorkshire
Two men beside the laser cutting machine at Hull Laser and Folding Ltd
The grant we received from Hull City Council enabled us to buy a bigger and better laser cutting machine to expand our production. They have also provided help and support along our journey for the past 6 years.
Gary BriggsHull Laser and Folding LtdHull Supported by Invest Hull
The Kingston Theatre Hotel, a white-fronted Victorian building in Hull
Our award-winning family-run hotel has always prided itself in looking to make a long-term investment in the city centre community, and Hull City Council has provided advice and support for over 8 years, which has contributed to the continued success of our hotel.
Gary OsbourneKingston Theatre HotelHull Supported by Invest Hull
Three members of the team at Lazenbys in their workshop
We’ve expanded into a new building and taken on more staff, due to our increasing orders from the worldwide market. The support of Kevin Cassidy, our business adviser from Hull City Council, has been invaluable to us.
Neil SewellLazenbysHull Supported by Invest Hull

How it works

Supported all the way.

  1. Get in touch

    Call, email or use the website. Tell us roughly what's going on — you don't need it worked out first.

  2. Talk it through

    A conversation with an adviser, at your premises or somewhere convenient, usually within a few working days.

  3. Agree what would help

    A short set of actions. Some we deliver, some we connect you to, some you'll do yourself.

  4. Keep the contact

    Your adviser stays your point of contact. Come back when things change — most businesses do.

Who to contact

FAQs

Do I need to pay for the service?

No. The service is free to access and support is publicly funded through the councils, the Combined Authority and government business support programmes. There is no charge to your business, and nothing is being sold to you.

Who should I contact?

If your business is in the East Riding, start with Invest East Yorkshire. If you're in Hull, start with Invest Hull. If you're unsure what you need or who provides it, start with HEY Growth Hub. All three talk to each other, so a wrong first guess costs you nothing.

My business is very small. Is it still worth calling?

Yes. Sole traders and businesses with a handful of staff make up most of the businesses supported here. There is no minimum turnover, headcount or growth ambition — businesses of all sizes can access support.

Can you help if I'm not trading yet?

Yes. Pre-start support is one of the busiest parts of the service. Talking to an adviser before you register your business or commit money is usually cheaper than talking to one afterwards, and it can also open up additional grant and funding opportunities.

Is my information confidential?

All conversations with the team are confidential and all data collected and recorded is stored and managed in compliance with legal requirements and in line with each organisation's privacy notice. As a government-funded programme, details on the support provided are recorded for monitoring and funding purposes.