Man wearing a hard hat, high vis jacket and protective glasses

Made Smarter South East

Made Smarter South East is a government-funded programme created to drive growth amongst the South East’s manufacturing SMEs and makers.

Contact us

Funding and support for SME manufacturers and makers

The programme has been developed to help makers boost productivity and increase their competitive edge through the adoption of new industrial technologies and tools.

After running successfully in selected areas of the UK for a number of years, the programme has rolled out nationally in 2025, making it available to South East makers for the first time.

Register for a free personalised assessment
Woman wearing a pin cushion on her risk looking down at a garment that she is altering

What’s involved?

Made Smarter South East will provide advice and support to manufacturers and makers to help them switch to advanced and automated technologies.

The Made Smarter team will help you identify the right technologies and tools and use them to make everyday improvements to your business.

Support elements include:

  • Match-funding of up to ยฃ20,000 (50% is available)
  • Expert advice, guidance and support
  • Bespoke digital roadmap for your business
  • Leadership training
  • Workforce training
  • Fully-funded student internship (up to 300 hours)
Gloved hand holding some pills from a container beneath

Eligibility criteria

The programme is open to SME manufacturers and makers based in the South East. This covers the following areas:

  • Berkshire
  • Brighton & Hove
  • Buckinghamshire
  • East Sussex
  • West Sussex
  • Hampshire
  • Kent
  • Medway
  • Oxfordshire
  • Solent
  • Surrey

In order to be eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and not be part of a wider group, or be funded by Private Equity, with a turnover below ยฃ44 million, and not have received state aid of more than ยฃ315,000 over the last three years.

The following industrial digital technologies are eligible for support and funding through the scheme, but this is not an exhaustive list โ€“ other technologies may also qualify:

  • Additive manufacturing, 3D printing
  • Artificial intelligence/Machine Learning
  • Robotics & Automation
  • The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Connectivity (5G, LPWAN etc)
  • Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Register for a free personalised assessment

Meet the Made Smarter South East team