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A celebration of female founders
The borough’s biggest celebration of female entrepreneurship returns for a ninth year.
The event takes place on Wednesday 29th March at the Thames Rowing Club in Putney. Speakers include: Sophie Cornish - co-founder notonthehighstreet and April Jackson - former contestant on The Apprentice. The event will also feature; interactive workshops, a networking lunch and the Wandsworth Women’s Enterprise Awards presentation.
Early bird tickets for the event are now available, places are limited so book yours here.
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Nominations open for Wandsworth Women’s Enterprise Awards 2023
The Wandsworth Women’s Enterprise Awards, which launched in 2022, were created to shine a spotlight on female founders in Wandsworth, recognising and celebrating their outstanding contributions to the borough. Open to Wandsworth-based female entrepreneurs, awards will be given across six categories:
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Entrepreneur of the Year – recognising impactful and influential female business leaders.
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Rising Star – recognising young women (16-34) whose examples serve to inspire our next generation.
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High Street Hero (People’s Choice) – recognising businesswomen who help to keep our town centres, shopping districts and local communities unique, as voted for by the public.
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Made in Wandsworth – recognising the talent and creativity of local artists and craftmakers in the borough.
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Best Green Business – recognising businesswomen who place environmental sustainability at the very heart of their business.
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Best Charity/Social Enterprise – recognising organisations that are changing the future of their communities for the better.
If you’re an entrepreneur that deserves recognition, or you know someone that does, then nominate yourself or them. It’s free, quick and easy to do.
Nominations close Sunday 5th March. Winners and runners-ups will be announced at our Women’s Enterprise Day event.
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Affordable Workspaces
The first of the new workspaces being created in Wandsworth libraries is now open at York Gardens Library in Battersea, providing fairer opportunities for local start-ups and placing business support in the heart of local communities.
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Business Pitch Competition
Are you looking for investment to help grow or develop your business?
The Start Up Business Pitch Competition enables Start Up Wandsworth members to pitch for investment, giving you the chance to win £2,000 (1st place), £1,000 (2nd place) and £500 (third place), as well as useful feedback from judges.
The deadline is Friday 17th February.
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Start Up Business Week
Taking place Monday 20th – Friday 24th March across South London, Start Up Business Week will consist of a mixture of conferences, webinars, expert led workshops, training sessions, business panels and business mentoring opportunities.
Of the nine events taking place across the week, the Conquering Social Media Day event will take place at York Gardens Library in Battersea, on Wednesday 22nd March 11:00 – 16:00. The all-day event will provide entrepreneurs with tangible tips to create quality content and make the best use of social media.
The event will also involve attendees creating a reel for York Gardens Library Business Hub, where the winner will be announced on Friday 24th March at the Business Pitch Competition finals.
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Consultation on Council expenditure plans
The Council has a duty to consult with ratepayers’ representatives on our service expenditure proposals, including capital, for the next financial year.
The Council wishes to continue our regular consultation with the local business community about our budget plans for future years. Comments should be received by Friday 17 February 2023 in order to be incorporated into the budget report.
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Affordable workspaces for local creatives
Thanks to investment from Wandsworth Council's Affordable Workspace Fund, two new workplaces have opened in Nine Elms, providing residents across the borough with a fairer route into the creative industries.
Nine Elms Studio offers high-spec flexible video production studio facilities, co-working space and courses from Chocolate Films for creative entrepreneurs. World Heart Beat provides musicians and music industry entrepreneurs with a recording studio and training courses.
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Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The government has announced the new “Energy Bills Discount Scheme” for UK businesses, charities, and the public sector from April 2023.
All eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users do not need to apply for the discount, discount will automatically apply until 31 March 2024.
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Funding available to hire a summer intern
Career Ready provide an Internship Investment Fund to enable eligible small and medium enterprises to host young people for paid internships during the summer holidays.
SME businesses can apply to utilise funding to host a young person for a paid, four-week internship in July and August 2023.
The deadline to apply is 31 March 2023.
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Discover Balham High Road
Why not take a trip to Balham?
As part of our Shop Local campaign, the Council has produced a handy guide to encourage people to find out about some of the amazing shops, restaurants, bars and salons situated on Balham High Road.
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Cost of living support for Wandsworth businesses
Wandsworth Council is aware that businesses may be struggling with increased costs during this cost of living crisis and many businesses are worried about their future. We have put together a page of support to help you and your business navigate these challenging times.
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Recommended Reading
This month’s recommended reading comes from the Wandsworth Enterprise Team, we are recommending Build a Business from Your Kitchen Table by Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker, founders of notonthehighstreet.com.
The book consists of the lessons they learned and the experience they gained from building their award-winning and multimillion-pound online marketplace, all while raising a young family at the same time!
Make sure not to miss out on hearing Sophie Cornish speak at our Women’s Enterprise Day on 29th March, book your early bird tickets here.
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Business Support Events and Programmes
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Better Futures+: Engage with your employees & communities to create a positive impact
Wednesday 22nd February 12:00 – 13:00
Delivered by Better Futures+, this free webinar featuring Aneta Jajkowska, Senior Director of People & Organisational Partner at Dassault Systèmes, will cover how to engage with your employees and the communities your business operates in order to drive positive social change and help protect the planet.
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Mission Kitchen: Awards, Exhibitions and Raising Brand Awareness with Karen Green
Wednesday 1st March 14:30 – 16:30
Taking place at Mission Kitchen, this workshop with Karen Green, the Food Mentor, will teach start-up food and drink founders how to win awards and exhibit effectively to build brand awareness with target buyers.
Tickets cost £15
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FSB: International Women's Day 2023 - Embrace Equity
Wednesday 8th March 10:30 – 12:00
Delivered by FSB, this interactive and inspiring online session exploring the #EmbraceEquity theme for International Women's Day 2023. Speakers include Tina McKenzie, FSB UK Policy and Advocacy Chair, and Pauline Crellin, Director of Advocacy and World Events at The Department for Business and Trade (BST).
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Small Business Network Tooting: Networking Night
Thursday 16th March 19:30 – 22:30
Taking place at The Exhibit in Balham, this networking night hosted by Small Business Network Tooting is an opportunity to make connections with other local businesses in South West London.
Early bird tickets cost £10, general tickets cost £15 and includes 2 drinks.
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Wayfinder Wandsworth: Connect with trusted expert advice and free support
Ongoing
Wandsworth Council has partnered with the Mayor’s London Business Hub to bring the free Wayfinder service to businesses in Wandsworth. The experienced Wayfinder team will help match businesses with unbiased expert support on a wide range of issues which include: marketing, business planning, accessing finance and more!
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Wandsworth Enterprise Hub
Need business support, events or programmes to help start or grow your business? Look no further than the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub.
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My Virtual Wandsworth
Want to promote your business to local residents? My Virtual Wandsworth features more than 600 local businesses – make sure yours is one of them! List it in our online directory.
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Business and Licensing
Visit the Council's Business and Licensing page for information on business licensing, business rates, business premises and much more.
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