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Start & Sustain: new fully funded programme to support aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses

Start & Sustain is a £1.4 million business support programme designed to help people start, sustain and grow a business across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Funded by East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), this two-year programme will support:

·       Individuals thinking about starting a business.

·       Businesses, sole traders and self-employed individuals trading for less than two years.

·       Entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and sectors.


Whether you're unsure where to begin, have a business idea you want to develop, or are looking to grow a newly established business, Start & Sustain offers expert support every step of the way.

Practical, tailored guidance is available across a range of areas, including business planning, finance and funding, marketing, digital skills, sales, leadership and more.

Support is provided through experienced Business Advisers*, business surgeries, webinars and in-person workshops.

Want to find out more?

Visit the EMCCA Growth Hub website and complete a registration form today.

Start & Sustain is delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

*Eligibility criteria apply.

 

Business Advisor Surgeries

Businesses can receive free advice and support from an experienced business adviser at surgeries across the Borough.

The free one-hour in person appointments with expert Dawn Fear from Nottinghamshire County Council can help small to medium sized businesses, start-ups, or residents who are thinking of starting a business.

The consultations are a great first step in the development of a new business, project, or business development initiative and way for business owners and entrepreneurs to find out what support could assist them and help plan their next steps.

Contact Dawn to arrange support for your business at dawn.fear@nottscc.gov.uk

 

Small Business Commissioner

The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) provides free help for small businesses suffering late or unfair payments from larger businesses.

They also provide free advice. This free service is for any small business (under 50 employees) suffering payment problems from their larger business customers (over 50 employees).

The SBC provides advice and information to small businesses on:

  • resolving disputes and dealing with an unpaid invoice
  • checking contracts and getting invoices right
  • signposting small businesses to existing support and dispute resolution services.

So, if you’re struggling with late payments or unfair payment practices, contact their team today via the Small Business Commissioner website.

Nottingham Trent University - The Hive

The Hive is NTU's purpose built centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise. They can help turn your business idea into reality through the support network, mentoring and training programmes. Since 2001 the Hive has helped more than 400 start-up companies with support such as; Training programmes, mentoring, guidance and advice, first class office facilities and potential routes to funding opportunities, grants and useful events. Find out more on the NTU website.

 

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offer various programmes to help businesses connect, collaborate and innovate. This includes collaborative funding, recruitment of students and graduates, development of your workforce, access to their research, knowledge and inventions, as well as facilities to base your business from, host meetings and access equipment. More information is on the University of Nottingham, working with business page.

 

NBV Support for businesses

NBV provides support for start-up businesses based in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Greater Lincolnshire on their website.

Looking to start your own business? The Nottinghamshire Start-Up Bootcamp can help you transform your idea into a
business.

 

Skills support for the workforce

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP area are urged to take advantage of a £16.74m skills training fund to upskill their workforce.

The training is delivered as part of a programme called Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW), which Sercos Employment, Skills & Enterprise business is managing across the D2N2 region. Under the 28-month programme which launched in April, Serco will work in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to provide skills development that focuses on upskilling employees in key priority sectors as identified in the LEPs strategic economic plan;

  • Transport equipment manufacturing
  • Life Sciences
  • Food and drink manufacturing
  • Visitor economy
  • Low carbon
  • Transport and logistics
  • Creative and digital industries
  • Construction

Businesses can contact Serco via skillssupport@serco.com or visit the Serco website for more details and to find out if they are eligible for funded training through Skills Support for the Workforce.

 

Exporting is GREAT

If you are a small business invested in or currently selling overseas visit GREAT >for guidance on exporting, access live export opportunities, find an online marketplace to sell your products overseas and access the right finance and insurance to help you win vital international contracts.

The Department for International Trade can also help with understanding the UK-EU trade agreement and how it affects you, reporting of trade barriers and contacting an international trade adviser.

Rushcliffe Borough Council does not endorse, promote, review, or warrant the accuracy of the schemes or information provided by external parties and no liability is accepted arising from reliance upon the information accessed via this site.

 

Supporting Business