Business support and innovation

The Business Support and Innovation team coordinate and deliver a wide range of projects to provide support and guidance for all type of businesses in Devon and the wider region.

Devon has nearly 58,000 businesses with over 7,000 new businesses formed in 2020. The majority of Devon’s businesses are small to medium enterprises with a dynamic micro business community and a higher rate of self-employment compared to the national average.

Business support and innovation aims to increase the productivity of SMEs across the region by supporting businesses to start-up, be resilient, grow and innovate.

We have a range of current programmes offering business support and opportunities to specific sectors.

Visit our current projects page for further information.

Please visit our completed projects page to view the work we have been involved in before and some of the outcomes of our previous programmes.


 

The Heart of the South West Growth Hub provides diagnosis and referrals to existing business support services for businesses in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay.

We can help businesses at any stage of operation, of any size and from any sector. If you need information about available training, workshops, professional advice, funding and grants, we’re here to support you and your business.

  • Speak to a Growth Hub adviser who will talk through your business needs and provide tailored support.
  • Access thousands of practical, factual and digestible reports, guides, factsheets and reference resources for businesses.

Visit our Heart of the South West Growth Hub website for easy-to-search listings of funded local events and business support services.


Heart of the South West Trading standards in Partnership with Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Somerset Council and Torbay Council

The Heart of the South West Trading Standard Service advises and supports businesses to grow and develop, works to protect consumers and the economy by ensuring legal and honest trading, and offers services to other local authorities.

We also support the agriculture industry to ensure good animal health and welfare.

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is commissioned by Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay councils.

Visit Trading standards – Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay to find out more about the services and guidance for businesses.


Local Enterprise Partnership – Heart of the Southwest

Sign up to Devon Funding News for information on funding opportunities to support business, environmental and social projects in Devon.