Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint have joined forces to provide a 'Realising the Remarkable' programme to support small businesses to thrive.

Twenty entrepreneurs will win a £3,000 grant to help boost their business and take the next step towards growth. The winners will also receive marketing and design support from VistaPrint.  

Simply fill in the short application form via the link here for your chance to win (applications close October 31, 2024), and learn more about the support available from Enterprise Nation, much of it free, For more information please click here

Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) organise a programme of business support webinars. Coming up in the next two weeks are the following

Social Media Essentials: TikTok

Thursday 31 October 2024

10:00 to 11:30

Location: Online (information to be sent post registration)

Social Media Essentials is a series of webinars focused on each of the major platforms, going through the essential information that you need to know about a platform one at a time.

This time it will be focusing on TikTok, which is an increasingly popular platform with a broad user base. Is it all dancing and lip-syncing or is there a real business case to use it?

In this session, you’ll look at the many different components that TikTok offers and how to use the platform to its full potential for your business. To book a place please click here

Building a Resilient Workforce: Adapting to Change and Uncertainty

Thursday 7 November 2024

09:00 - 10:30

Location: Online (information to be sent post registration)

A must-attend webinar designed for SME owners. This session will help you strengthen your workforce's resilience, adapt to rapid changes, and enhance employee well-being. If you're responsible for managing teams, driving organisational change, or fostering a positive work environment, this event is essential for you. To book a place please click here

For details of all BGWM events please click here

The University of Birmingham is launching a new Green Economy Series, a fully funded programme designed to support and elevate businesses in the Midlands by exploring the green economy and highlighting how your business could benefit from current and upcoming opportunities. It will run from November 2024 to January 2025 and offers a unique opportunity for local -aspiring- businesses to explore, learn, and connect within the green economy. This programme will be delivered through a series of half day workshops (10am-1pm) based at Tyseley Energy Park, East Birmingham, B25 8DW.

Benefits -

• Gain valuable knowledge and practical strategies for integrating sustainability into your business.
• Connect with a network of experts and fellow business leaders.
• Access exclusive resources and consultations designed to support your growth in the green economy.

For more information contact Debbie Smith, Climate Innovation Platform – Incubation Manager d.s.smith.1@bham.ac.uk   or   climateinnovation@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Are you an entrepreneur navigating the challenges of building and growing your business? Maintaining the right mindset is key to your success, but staying motivated and avoiding burnout can be tough. Join us for the next in our series of interactive workshops with Innovate UK on Thursday 7th November, at Wolverhampton Science Park, at 9am where we’ll explore proven strategies to help you stay energised, focused, and resilient on your entrepreneurial journey.

In this session, you’ll learn how to cultivate a growth mindset, set meaningful goals, and recognise the early signs of burnout. You’ll walk away with practical tools to manage stress, improve your productivity, and protect your mental well-being. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned business owner, this workshop will equip you with the mindset and methods to keep thriving - no matter what challenges come your way.

Delivered by specialists from Innovate UK this workshop will give entrepreneurs invaluable insights, tips and advice into continually driving the business forward.

To book a place please click here

Learn how to improve the performance and resilience of your business by joining a growing number of business leaders taking part in the Help to Grow: Management Course.

The course is 90% funded by UK Government, so the cost is only £750 per person. Both Aston Centre for Growth and Birmingham City University (BCU) deliver the programme

Aston Centre for Growth is now accepting applications to its December cohort. For more information and to book a place please click here 

To register an interest in the next cohort at BCU please click here

If you have any queries relating to business support, growing your business, or some of the challenges you are facing, then please call the council's Business Support helpline on 01902 555572 or complete the online enquiry form here

To support your business enquiry and growth our team can conduct a free business diagnostic and connect you quickly to the right support.