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BIPC
Access over £5M worth of online resources through your local library Starting or running a business can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be extremely challenging. You may require support to help your venture thrive but be unsure where to turn. The good news is that help is at hand. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Business & IP Centre (BIPC) offers a wide range of free services and support, which has already assisted over 700 entrepreneurs. The Centre is part of a national BIPC network founded by the British Library, with public library partners across the country. The British Library is expanding the network from 14 to over 100 regional and local libraries including new local Centres in Ely, Huntingdon and Wisbech. These new Centres will build on wider support already available at Cambridge Central Library and Peterborough Central Library. Offering vital insights, confidential advice and access to free resources, training and events – both online and in-person – the BIPC can help you imagine, start or develop your business. Wherever you are in your business journey, it’s important to stay informed about your market so that you can continue to offer something that customers want. We provide access to over £5M worth of resources that can help. The network’s resources include: • Online market reports from top publishers • Company data for over 144M UK and global companies • Start-up books and business directories • 700,000 historical annual reports • Over 60 million patents available for you to access. These can help to answer some of the following questions: • How has Covid-19 impacted my customers? • Is there demand for my product or service? • What are my competitors doing? • Have my customers buying habits changed? • What funding is available for my business? The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough BIPC provides free access to the following resources: COBRA - a complete business reference adviser providing critical business facts, compliance and trading details covering hundreds of small businesses. EMIS - a comprehensive information platform with over 25 years of experience as provider of emerging markets intelligence. Euromonitor Passport - a global market research database providing insight on industries, economies and consumers worldwide. GRANTfinder - Europe’s leading and most advanced grants and policy database, bringing together funding opportunities and related policy across the UK. IBISWorld - provides easy-to-read and comprehensive analysis on over 400 UK industries. Kompass EasyBusiness - provides detailed and up-to-date business contact information. 20 connected
Mintel - As the world’s leading market intelligence agency, Mintel’s analysis of consumers, markets, new products and competitive landscapes provides a unique perspective on global and local economies. NewsBank - helps explore diverse perspectives and stay informed. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources from more than 200 countries. All resources require the user to sign up to a free library card membership via their library (either Cambridgeshire Libraries or Peterborough Libraries). Councillor Tom Sanderson, Chair of Cambridgeshire County council’s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, said: “The BIPC offers free proven advice which can make a vital difference. If you’re an entrepreneur or thinking of starting a business, you really have nothing to lose by contacting them.” Councillor Steve Allen, Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Communities, added: “Over 700 local entrepreneurs have already benefitted from the invaluable support offered by our local BIPCs. They offer unique and valuable resources which can help a business get off the ground and thrive.” For more information on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough BIPC visit https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/bipc
