East Sussex Growth Hub

East Sussex Growth Hub is the first place to come for business support in East Sussex. It provides a free and impartial service for start-ups, early-stage businesses, established companies and ambitious firms looking for advice, funding, tools, events or external support.

The Growth Hub helps businesses identify the right support at the right time, including expert advice, grant guidance, downloadable resources, local events, webinars and introductions to relevant regional or national programmes. It is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by East Sussex County Council’s Economic Development Team.

For SussexDigital readers, it is a useful first port of call when an East Sussex business needs help navigating the support landscape, from early business planning and templates through to growth, funding and specialist referrals.

Use the Growth Hub as a navigation layer for East Sussex business support. It is especially helpful when the next step is unclear: the team can point businesses towards grants, programmes, events, templates, national support and specialist providers without assuming that every company needs the same kind of intervention.

Current programmes for digital and creative businesses

These free programmes are available through East Sussex Growth Hub. Eligibility and places vary, so check the programme pages before applying.

• East Sussex Digital Growth Series: practical workshops covering websites, search visibility, video, AI and automation, data and cyber security. Sessions run from September 2026 to March 2027 across Eastbourne, Hastings, Uckfield, Lewes and Bexhill. Open to eligible, actively trading SMEs and sole traders in the East Sussex County Council area.
• Create East Sussex: workshops, tailored mentoring and a peer network for actively trading creative businesses in East Sussex. Digital, design, gaming and web or app businesses are included, alongside other creative sectors. Delivered by Studio Zao, with support for freelancers, sole traders and organisations.
• Time to Grow, East Sussex: up to 16 hours of one-to-one specialist support in areas including marketing, sales, AI and online presence. Delivered by Digital Islands for independently owned, actively trading East Sussex businesses, typically with 2 to 20 employees. Brighton and Hove is outside the programme area.

Programme details checked in October 2026. Follow the links for current availability, full eligibility and application details.