If you have taken the courage to start up a business, rest assured there are many support agencies around to help you get there.
Basildon Business Boost is a multifaceted business support and grants programme which is designed to empower Basildon entrepreneurs and businesspeople, and to create new jobs. Fully funded by HM Government, and delivered in collaboration wit The Consortium, this innovative programme aims to provide comprehensive support through a bespoke blend of peer groups, personalised coaching, expert-led workshops, access to finance and much more. Support is delivered free of charge from now until 21 March 2025. Eligible businesses can apply here or contact the Consortium by emailing to info@the-consortium.uk.com or by calling on 01268 833985.
The BEST Growth Hub provides businesses in Essex with a single point of access to a wide range of local, regional and national support. Their team of friendly and experienced navigators offer free and impartial signposting to help new and existing businesses find the most suitable support for them.
For more information please call on 01424 322686 or visit Best Growth Hub.
Launch-It Creative Tech Accelerator, is a brand new accelerator programme designed for Essex entrepreneurs teaching you how to take a business from start, to scale! In this 10-week programme, you will learn about everything it takes to set up and run a successful tech and/or digital business. And the best part? It's totally FREE! The programme was delivered successfully from June to September in 2023. Applications are being accepted now for 2024 programme with a kick-off event on 11th July 2024.
2023 The Green Entrepreneurs’ Programme supports young entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 30, with a sustainable business idea. The programme features six weeks of fully funded workshops led by expert facilitators. At the end of the programme, participants can pitch their idea to receive up to £5,000 funding. The 2023 cohort is now full. Follow Ambitious Essex on Twitter and LinkedIn to be the first to find out about next year’s programme or discover alternative business support from Essex County Council. Environmental projects | Essex County Council.
The free to access Business Support Helpline can help small businesses of all stages to find the right support and impartial advice, whether just starting out or growing a business. Advisers provide tailored guidance and information on schemes and publicly funded business support programmes available in your local area and across England. The service is available via telephone, email, webchat and social media.
Fully funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, Backing Essex Business (Formerly Back to Business Essex) is here to provide help for your business to grow, through advice, access to business finance and training.
The Prince’s Trust works with 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK to turn big ideas into a reality. Their free Enterprise programme takes place in a centre near you and is broken down into three stages.
Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support. Whether you’re starting or growing a business, they have the resources, expertise, and connections to help you get it right. You can get access to support at a selection of events held up and down the UK, or online via a dynamic platform that gets you to answers and advisers fast.
Small Business Britain is the UK’s leading champion of small businesses, supporting all 5.8 million small businesses in the UK – no matter their location, their sector, or their ambition level. Their Sustainability Basics programme (and community of like minded businesses) gives each entrepreneur the basics they need to supercharge their sustainability planning, reduce their impact on the planet, and turn their sustainability plans into fantastic commercial advantage.
Small Business Britain also offers six-week Small and Mighty programme to supercharge sole traders and micro businesses, concluding with a growth plan to support the next year of business opportunity. It will be delivered entirely online, allowing access from anywhere in the UK with flexible learning enabling opportunities for all.
Be the Business have a range of free resources, mentoring programmes, leadership courses and tech adaptation information to help ambitious leaders build more competitive, successful, growing businesses.
Enterprise Nation are working with Amazon on a Small Business Accelerator programme. Online learning is tailored to your experience level, with a comprehensive curriculum covering website building, selling online, social media, marketing, managing cashflow, selling on Amazon, and identifying growth opportunities. If you are looking for specific advice such as premises, funding and or events please head to the relevant page for more information.
