Surrey Invests £1M, Creates Dozens of Green Tech Jobs

Surrey County Council just invested £1 million in its own backyard, and the payoff could be huge for job seekers. Nearly 30 local companies and entrepreneurs are getting grants up to £75,000 each to grow their businesses and hire new team members.

The funding focuses on green technology innovators and food producers who are ready to scale up. One standout is Rhevia, a company using artificial intelligence and hardware to make highways safer and more efficient.

Dorian Isaacson from Rhevia called the grant "transformational." The money allowed his team to hire two new employees and push their technology forward faster than they could have alone.

"That progress has directly helped us win new customers and accelerate our growth," Isaacson explained. "As we scale, we expect this to translate into high-value jobs, continued innovation, and a growing contribution to the Surrey economy."

The investment comes mostly from UK Shared Prosperity Funding, a government program designed to boost local economies. The grants act as seed money that helps companies attract even more investment from private sources.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't Surrey's first rodeo. The county launched its Economic Growth Fund last April with a clear mission: accelerate growth, boost innovation, and create employment opportunities where people actually live.

In September, the first round distributed about £2 million. Combined with this latest round, Surrey has now invested more than £3 million into its local economy in less than a year.

Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, sees the bigger picture. "This investment represents another significant step in strengthening and growing Surrey's economy," he said.

The beauty of this approach is how it multiplies. When one company gets funding to hire two people, those employees spend money locally. When that company grows and wins new customers, it hires even more people. The cycle builds on itself.

Surrey is betting on its homegrown talent rather than waiting for big corporations to move in. By supporting companies that are already rooted in the community, the investment creates lasting jobs that can't easily be moved elsewhere.

The focus on green technology and innovation also positions Surrey for the future economy, not just today's needs.

Dozens of new jobs are about to open up in Surrey, and they're the kind that could stick around for generations.