Start and Grow Enterprise

Is a successful and effective business support organisation funded jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Gloucestershire.  They offer fully-funded support to pre-start and start-ups so ambitious entrepreneurs get the help they need free of charge.

To date, they have helped 1,000 big thinkers to bring their businesses to market in Gloucestershire, and spent more than £300k supporting small businesses, and  have given 10,000 hours of advice, guidance, consultancy and events.

Small businesses form the backbone of the UK economy.  In 2020 there were 5.7 million micro businesses in the UK (with up to 10 employees) comprising 96% of the companies in existence.  Therefore, a friendly and authoritative service to offer potential and new entrepreneurs’ advice and support must be an essential ingredient to assist enterprise creation and growth in a community.  That’s what the Start and Grow team provide.

Start and Grow Enterprise has assembled a range of expert advisers to deliver training courses, workshops and 1-to-1 coaching on a diverse range of subjects, from cash flow and tax requirements to digital marketing and sales strategies.  These all have the same aim in mind – to equip today’s and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and freelancers to succeed.

No successful entrepreneur in the UK started off knowing everything about business.  They may have a passion for their field, but lack the knowledge as to how to market their business, or how to manage their time efficiently.  It can be an isolating, stressful, and competitive experience to start your own business.  But with the right advice and community, it needn’t be.

Their interactive flip book illustrates the impact the programme can have on businesses, as told by a selection of their clients, which include students at the University of Gloucestershire.  Their variety of offerings can make the difference between survival and success, and their clients can attest to how their confidence has increased hugely from working with them.

“Since going through Start and Grow, we’ve got our first premises and hired two full time staff.  Our website is 1000x better than it was before and our message is really clear, and we’ve also won awards, which is great.

Anybody starting a new business, anybody with an idea but is unclear on how to start, anybody with an area within their business where they’re really struggling, I would 100% recommend them to go to Start and Grow.” – Carla Maclean, Start and Grow Client.

To benefit from this support, sign up on the website www.startandgrowenterprise.uk or contact startandgrow@glos.ac.uk.