• Shropshire BizFest - 14th Sept
• Mastering the Art of the Candidate Experience - 21st Sept
• Turbocharging your equity fundraise – Investor Readiness - 19th Sept
• Turbocharging your equity fundraise – Valuations - 26th Sept
• How can AI/ChatGPT help me with my SEO? - 17th Aug
• Friday Hub - 18th Aug
• One to One Expert Business Advice Sessions - with Shane Stark - Sept 1st
• Take Your Website to the World Masterclasses and Digital Trade Conference - 20th & 26th Sept
• The Enterprise Nation Fund
• The Arts Society Is Accepting Applications for Autumn 2023 Funding Round
• Creative UK Launches Business Builder Fund for Screen-Based Storytellers (England) *
• Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity Announces Funding Theme for September Round (UK)
• West Midlands Growth Programme
• Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant
• Start-up Loan - loans to start or grow your business: First Enterprise

Shropshire BizFest - 14th Sept

Start: Thursday 14th September 2023 at 2pm to 7pm Venue: The Dye House, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, SY1 2SZ Shropshire BizFest brings together authoritative speakers, inspiring business leaders and the county’s most innovative companies. Join Reech at The Dye House, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings this September to access exclusive content, gain valuable insights and make connections to help drive your business forward. Be one of 300 delegates and hear from guest headline speaker Mark Wright, with more great speakers to be announced soon. Mark is an award-winning, influential entrepreneur and digital marketing specialist, renowned for his success in winning BBC’s The Apprentice. In securing the winners title, Mark went on to find and develop one of the UK’s fastest growing digital marketing agencies, Climb Online, in partnership with Lord Sugar. To register your interest in this event, please visit https://shropshirebizfest.co.uk/ and for support email bizfest@reech.agency.

Mastering the Art of the Candidate Experience - 21st Sept

Thursday 21 September 2023 – 9.30 – 10.30 Getting recruitment right has never been more important given the challenges employers face in attracting quality candidates. Mastering the art of the candidate experience is simply about treating people right. During this short taster session we will share tips to help you make every candidate feel valued, appreciated, and excited about the possibility of joining your organisation. Who is this course for? This session is for anyone who wants to learn more about how effective recruitment practices can positively impact your success. This course is delivered online via MS Teams and links will be sent to delegates 24 hours prior to the event. Breakfast Briefing - Mastering the Art of the Candidate Experience, 21 Sept - TLC Shrewsbury (yarringtonevents.co.uk) For our full programme of events: Shropshire HR Training Programme 2023

Turbocharging your equity fundraise – Investor Readiness - 19th Sept

PwC Raise Ventures and the British Business Bank are excited to announce our three-part webinar series to support you with accelerating the growth of your business and navigating your way through your equity fundraise. The webinar series will focus on three topics relating to the fundraising process. PwC and the British Business Bank will also be joined by Business Growth Fund (BGF) and founders of Midlands based SMEs at each event to provide you with practical experience and insights. Turbocharging your equity fundraise - Investor Readiness - Marches Growth Hub

Turbocharging your equity fundraise – Valuations - 26th Sept

PwC Raise Ventures and the British Business Bank are excited to announce our three-part webinar series to support you with accelerating the growth of your business and navigating your way through your equity fundraise. The webinar series will focus on three topics relating to the fundraising process. PwC and the British Business Bank will also be joined by Business Growth Fund (BGF) and founders of Midlands based SMEs at each event to provide you with practical experience and insights. Turbocharging your equity fundraise - Valuations - Marches Growth Hub

How can AI/ChatGPT help me with my SEO? - 17th Aug

During this webinar, we'll delve into the powerful world of AI-driven SEO and unveil the ways ChatGPT can assist you in optimising your website for search engines. Unlocking Business Success with AI Platforms Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Friday Hub - 18th Aug

A collaborative space to meet others and find practical solutions to support your business... This is a gentle and light-hearted yet business focussed group where you can be sure to finish your week on a high... "Good things Happen When You Bring Good People Together…" You can register here if you've not before https://bit.ly/G2G1FriHub

One to One Expert Business Advice Sessions - with Shane Stark - Sept 1st

Are you looking to grow your business? Would you like to take time to look at your business strategically? Then why not come and talk to our experienced adviser. These 75 minute conversations will consider your aspirations (personal) and examines what you want your business to be. This session will support you in : Evaluate the current market and opportunities Evaluate the talent and assets available Consider the businesses financial performance Identifying the critical success factors that the business relies on One to One Expert Business Advice Sessions - with Shane Stark - Sept 1st Tickets, Shrewsbury | Eventbrite

Take Your Website to the World Masterclasses and Digital Trade Conference - 20th & 26th Sept

Your website is your shop window to the world and with a global audience of over 4 billion plus global internet users it's vital that you understand how to maximise its potential. If you sell products and services overseas or are planning to, now more than ever, your website needs to be able to attract and appeal to an international audience. Expectations are growing rapidly as customers discover more convenience on all levels - be it product customisation, mobile-optimized search, quick checkout processes, or hassle-free delivery. These sessions will help to provide a deep dive on a number of website areas to get your website fighting fit for international reach and appeal.

What you'll learn •  How well your existing website is performing on international search engines •  How to attract visitors from outside the UK to your website •  When and how to translate, localise and optimise your website for international search engines •  When and how to move your website to another platform and what to include in your brief •  How to implement effective paid and organic Search Engine Optimisation •  How to source and commission external web providers such as designers, digital marketers, translators and copywriters to take forward your international web strategy

Session1: Website health check in 8 easy steps 20 September, 10am-11am: A very practical session which will show you how to use free tools to check your website's current performance before embarking on your international website journey. Understand how to not only benchmark your performance but also that of your competitors to gain competitive advantage.

Session 2: Planning your international website journey 26 September, 10am-11am: Once you know where you are, you need to decide where you want to go. This session will take you through each website area you need to consider while building your international website plan. Creating your website roadmap will facilitate decision making and help you set achievable goals.

Session 3: Creating and Adapting content for an international audience 4 October 2023, 10am-11am You may take the decision to move your website onto another platform, which may involve sourcing and commissioning external web providers and preparing a website brief. Save time and resources by letting us share with you how best to do that.

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The Enterprise Nation Fund

Want to take your business to new heights? Apply to the Enterprise Nation Fund to be in with the chance of winning a £5,000 grant and a year of mentoring from an expert entrepreneur. The Enterprise Nation Fund | Apply to win a small business grant | Enterprise Nation

The Arts Society Is Accepting Applications for Autumn 2023 Funding Round

The Arts Society is offering grants of up to £3,000 for UK-registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £3 million to deliver projects across all aspects of the arts and heritage, such as:

• Projects that support a wide range of activities to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to artistic experiences and practise.  For example: the development and training of skills in the arts, crafts, and heritage through bursaries, sponsorships, and crafts apprenticeships.
• Support for regional museums, galleries, and arts organisations, such as:
  Special projects.
  Displays.
  Internships and part-time posts.
  Training.
  Conservation activities.

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2023.

The Arts Society Grants | The Arts Society

Creative UK Launches Business Builder Fund for Screen-Based Storytellers (England) *

Administered by Creative UK, the Creative Enterprise Business Builder Fund sits under Creative Enterprise, a BFI-funded project to help screen-based businesses move away from working project-to-project and develop more sustainable businesses.

This is achieved through mentoring and consulting, investment readiness courses, and the Creative Enterprise Business Builder Fund. 

Through the Business Builder Fund, Creative UK is able to offer grants to registered SMEs working in 'moving image' for storytelling. The fund aims to support businesses to maximise their ability and  create opportunities for business growth.

Creative UK can offer maximum grants of £2,500. The grants can be used to subsidise the cost of working with an expert to

• Support companies’ specific goals, including business planning and strategy as well as offering other specialist expertise, knowledge or contacts. Examples include marketing strategy, monetisation of IP and international operation.
• Screen-based storytelling businesses based in England may apply. 'Screen-based' comprises those working in film, TV, animation, games and immersive industries. The business should be a limited company registered on Companies House, with a relevant track record in the screen industry.

Applications open on 13 September 2023 and will remain open until March 2024 or until the fund is depleted, whichever occurs sooner whichever occurs sooner.

Creative Enterprise Business Builder - Creative UK (wearecreative.uk)

Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity Announces Funding Theme for September Round (UK)

MSE Charity has announced the theme for the September 2023 grant round is 'Life Changes'.

The new round is focused on funding groups working with adults who are specifically impacted by one of life's changes (bereavement, retirement, relationship breakdown, homelessness, offenders or resettlement (migrants/refugees), to develop the personal financial life skills essential to navigate the transition they are facing.

Grants of up to £8,000 will be available (an increase from £500 from previous rounds).

Full project cost recovery will be considered, but costs must only relate to the project itself and not the organisation's core funding.

Small to medium-sized non-profit organisations with a constitution can apply, including UK registered charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and credit unions. To be eligible, applicants must be based in the UK, looking for funding for UK based activities, have an annual income of less than £750,000 and unrestricted reserves that are less than six months of their running costs.

Applications are usually invited twice a year: in February and September.

The September application form, questions and eligibility quiz are currently available to review. Applicants are urged to review them before the fund opens for applications because each grant round is limited to the first 40 accepted applications. Previous rounds have closed within a couple of weeks of opening.

Applications will be accepted from 4 September to 29 September 2023.

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West Midlands Growth Programme

Existing small-to-medium sized businesses based in the Shropshire Council area can apply for grants from £5,000 to £100,000. Businesses must employ less than 250 people, and have been trading for at least six months or more.

A larger grant will only be awarded in exceptional circumstances. This is to make sure that as many businesses as possible can benefit from the limited budget available.

Up to 50% of WMGP project costs can be awarded at the discretion of Birmingham City Council.

About the West Midlands SME Grant Programme | About the West Midlands SME Grant Programme | Birmingham City Council

 Am I eligible?

• You must fall under the category of an SME and be based in the Shropshire Council area  – (enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and/or which have an annual turnover not exceeding £36 million)
• The grant scheme is subject to the creation of new and safeguarded job. WMGP uses a guide calculation of £10,000 grant for each new full-time job created
• Grants are restricted to one per SME
• Cash match funding is required
• Businesses from all sectors are eligible, except for a number of exemptions (including charities)
• Businesses need to be paying business rates to Shropshire Council (unless currently located outside of Shropshire and looking to move into the area – this would need to be evidenced)  

Eligibility for existing small to medium enterprises | Eligibility criteria for the West Midlands SME Grant Programme | Birmingham City Council

What is an eligible cost?

For Existing SMEs.     

• Relocation, expansion and growth of existing businesses
• Develop new markets opportunities
• Promotional activities
• Innovation – including the development of new products including prototyping, testing and commercialisation
• Improving systems and processes
• Capital investment -  e.g. new plant, machinery and equipment
• Increase in productive capacity of new and existing premises through new property builds/refurbishment/extensions.

 WMGP eligible and ineligible project costs | Birmingham City Council

 How do I apply?

If you want to receive the WMGP application, you can email wmgp@birmingham.gov.uk 

Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant

On 26 July 2023 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that £10 million of government funding is being made available to cattle farmers in England to help them replace ageing cattle buildings with state-of-the-art facilities.

As set out in guidance, the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant will allocate awards to farmers ranging from £15,000 to £500,000, to build new, upgrade, or replace existing calf housing buildings to deliver health and welfare benefits for calves.

Through this grant, cattle farmers will also be able to access funding for roof-top solar panels on calf housing buildings to improve the thermal insulation of their building whilst providing low-cost energy for calf housing.

Visit the website for further information and to apply.

Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant - Marches Growth Hub

Start-up Loan - loans to start or grow your business: First Enterprise

Enterprise Loans is the leading business support partner in the East and West Midlands for the Government’s Start Up Loans scheme.

A Start Up Loan is classified as a personal loan that can be used to start or invest in a business. You can borrow from £500 up to £25,000 to hire additional staff, purchase new equipment, improve marketing performance or buy more stock. During the application process, you will be assigned a dedicated Business Adviser who will guide you through every step, including advice on creating a business plan and cash flow forecast, and there is free mentoring after receiving your loan. 

Start Up Loan at a glance:

• £500 - £25,000 available per director (with a maximum of £100,000 available per business)
• 1-5 years loan term
• Fixed interest rate of 6%
• No arrangement fees and no early repayment fees
• Government backed Eligibility
• You must be aged 18 or over.
• You must be living in the United Kingdom.
• You have an idea for a new business or a business that has been trading for less than 3 years (0-36 months).
• •A personal credit check performed on each applicant to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria, though lending is not necessarily based solely on the credit report.
• If you are a foreign national, you must have a relevant visa that extends at least 6 months beyond your loan repayment.

If you have further questions about the scheme or want to apply for a Start Up Loan with us, please contact us by calling 0345 602 7355 or emailing us at reception@first-enterprise.co.uk.

For more information, please go to our website: https://www.first-enterprise.co.uk

Contact the Marches Growth Hub Shropshire

• Phone: 01743 250526
• Email: marchesgrowthhub@shropshire.gov.uk
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