Funded support for Thanet foodies – applications now open.
Do you have a great idea for a food product but need a little help to get started?
If you’re an individual, micro business or community organisation based in Thanet, the Nourish food innovation scheme could help you take advantage of expert advice and state-of-the-art equipment at the EKC Innovation Kitchen in Broadstairs.
Apply for fully funded support to explore the potential of your product at the EKC Innovation Kitchen, supported by our friendly team of Food Innovation specialists.
Expert help and a professional kitchen in Broadstairs
We’re offering eight “Food Innovator” bespoke packages of Food Innovation support worth around £2000. This includes an onboarding meeting to discuss your goals, four commercial mentoring or skills development sessions, four to five guided kitchen sessions (up to half-day per session), and the raw materials you need to test and improve your recipe. We will be assessing applications and awarding places on a rolling basis until all our funding for this scheme has been awarded.
Through our “Nourish Youth Programme“, we’re also offering one individual aged 25 or under a bespoke package of support and training worth around £5500. Our Technical Consultant and team will work intensively with you to develop your idea and explore the commercial viability of your product; you will have extended access to guided product development sessions in the EKC Innovation Kitchen at Broadstairs (up to 12 sessions as required), access to fortnightly commercial mentoring sessions for the duration of the programme, up to four skills development sessions, and the raw materials you need to test and improve your recipe. Applications to this programme close 31st August 2025.
This opportunity is fully funded by Thanet District Council’s Regeneration Team and the Shared Prosperity Fund.
What sort of projects will we fund?
This scheme is all about helping local food and drink businesses in Thanet grow through innovation. We want to support people with great ideas, who are looking to learn – whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve what you already do.
When we look at your application, we will consider the originality and feasibility of your idea, the potential for your business to grow, and how well our expertise and equipment could support you with your specific idea. We’ll also consider the wider positive impact your business could have on the food ecosystem in Thanet.
Project timings
- Applications to both Nourish Food Innovator and Nourish Youth Programme are open now
- Applications to Nourish Food Innovator will be considered by EKC Group as we receive them, and places awarded on a rolling basis. Applications will close once all places have been awarded. If we do not award all the places, applications will close 21 September 2025 at midnight
- Applications to Nourish Youth Programme will be open until 31 August 2025. We will review applications the first week of September 2025 and then let the successful applicant know.
- This project is funded until December 2025 and all activities will complete by the end of this calendar year
Who can apply?
Nourish is open to:
- Thanet residents, or businesses registered in Thanet
- Individuals, microbusiness (nine or less employees), voluntary and community organisations
- You must have an existing idea for a food product to work on with our expert team.
Full eligibility criteria and terms and conditions
Applicant is a Thanet District Council resident or has a business registered within the Thanet District Council area.
Business type is one of the following:
- Pre-trading/ start-up
- Sole trader
- Micro-entity (two of the following must be met in the financial year – 10 or less employees, a turnover of £1 million or less, £500,000 or less on its balance sheet)
- Voluntary or community organisations
- For the £5,500 grant: Applicant is under 25 years old
Assessment criteria
Innovation & Viability (30%)
Originality of the product or service idea. Feasibility of the proposed innovation within the grant period. Evidence of progress to date (this could include registration as Food Business operator/ food handling cert etc) Evidence of market need or demand. Alignment with the goal of creating new or improved products/services. (OC11).
Business Potential & Impact (30%)
Potential for business growth (e.g., revenue, market reach). Likelihood of new enterprise creation (OC10). Potential for job creation or increased employment. Long-term sustainability of the business idea.
Use of Grant & Resources (25%)
Clear opportunity for grant to be used effectively, including effective use of NPD specialist consultation, Innovation Kitchen facilities, production run, labelling advice, networking opportunities, knowledge transfer. etc (OC16). Consideration of barriers to access and how the grant will help overcome them.
Outcomes & Monitoring (5%)
Willingness to provide feedback and participate in evaluation.
Community & Collaboration (10%)
Contribution to the local food ecosystem in Thanet. Potential for knowledge sharing or collaboration (OC16). Engagement with local networks or community initiatives.
How can I apply?
Please complete our online form.
Please note that we may request a follow-up call to ask more questions before we make a decision.
