Businesses in the City of Wolverhampton will soon be able to apply for grant support towards capital investment and low carbon projects
We would anticipate the average grant to be £15,000, at a 50% intervention rate, and we would anticipate supporting at least 50 businesses with funding which is coming from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The Fund is split between SME grants and NET Zero grants. The focus for the grant support will be on capital investment, innovation, developing new market opportunities, promotional activities, and low carbon/energy efficiency measures.
To learn more about the grant programmes, and all the other support now available, please join us for a breakfast briefing on 21st March at the Science Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park. To book a place please click here (please note that attendance is limited to no more than 2 per business). As well as learning about the SME and the NET ZERO grants, we will also hear from colleagues at Innovate UK, the Aston Centre for Growth, and the University of Wolverhampton.
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 IGNITE is a free to use business and enterprise hub located in the i10 office and retail complex at the heart of Wolverhampton city centre’s transport Interchange. It provides entrepreneurs, business start-ups, established growing SMEs, students and graduates with FREE bookable workspaces, resources and business support.
If you have any queries relating to business support, growing your business, some of the challenges you are facing then please call our City Council Business Support helpline on 01902 555572 or complete the online enquiry form here
There are also 2 webinars and a workshop being run with support from the West Midlands Combined Authority in the coming weeks.
6th March 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am
Online
In the busy world of West Midlands business, finding undiscovered sales chances is crucial for success. This 90-minute webinar is designed to give local businesses the tools and knowledge they need to uncover hidden sales prospects and grow their businesses. Here you will explore prospecting techniques, effective ways to build a sales funnel, and proven methods for building genuine relationships with potential customers.
By attending, you'll gain actionable tactics tailored to the local market, helping you boost your sales efforts and achieve real business growth.
To book a place please click here
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Investment Readiness: Workshop for Wolverhampton Businesses
13 March 2024, 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Online
These free interactive taster sessions will give an overview of the funding options available to businesses and help to demystify the world of funding your business including:
- Debt finance & understanding interest rates
- Alternative Finance
- Grant funding – is it free?
- Crowdfunding – reward, social and equity
- Angel Investment & Venture Capital – when is it right for you?
- The importance of creating a Pitch Deck or a Business Plan
- Financial forecasting and why it’s the narrative you need
Further support will be delivered by the Access to Finance team through a combination of workshops, masterclasses and one-to-one mentoring by finance specialists, all of whom have years of experience in unlocking funding and helping firms grow.
There will also be access to bespoke online resources that will help bosses better understand key measures, financial forecasting, cashflow needs and creating pitch decks to entice potential investors.
To book a place please click here
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 Attention all Wolverhampton businesses in the visitor industry! The Express and Star Business Awards are now open for entries. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business and gain recognition for your hard work and dedication. Winning an award can help you stand out from the competition and attract new customers.
City of Wolverhampton Council is sponsoring the ‘Hospitality, Leisure & Retail Business of the Year’ award. The category is open to any restaurant, hotel, café, pub, leisure facility, shop, visitor attraction, or similar business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to showcase your business. Enter now!
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. The February edition of Employer Bulletin includes articles on:
2024 National Insurance contributions rate changes
End of year reporting basis period reform
Simplifying the reporting of Income Tax and National Insurance contributions on benefits in kind
Help for Households
Upcoming changes to Paternity Leave and Pay
You can register for HMRC’s employer email alert service to receive emails from HMRC which tell you when the latest issue is available.
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The Start Up Business Wolverhampton programme being delivered by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce has got off to a great start with 40 joining the first cohort who are now heading into the 2 day bootcamp for intensive support
With funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the start-up programme, which will run until March 2025, will provide support enabling Wolverhampton residents to engage and access skills to create the foundations for their business to prepare, start and ensure its survival. If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, whether considering starting a business, or in the first year of trading please speak to the Chamber team on 0330 024 0820 or email wolverhampton.startup@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
The next cohort will start on 3rd April.
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