Intensive Start-Up Support Help for you to start and develop your own business
Funded by
For more information on Intensive Start-Up Support, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or call 0845 00 66 888
Solutions for Business Our Purpose
Solutions for Business is a suite of highly targeted, publicly funded products and services offering solutions to real business needs and tackling market failure. Designed to drive qualifying businesses forward, it helps them to grow and succeed by providing help in a number of areas. These include starting up, understanding finance, developing people, environment and efficiency, exploiting ideas, international sales and marketing and growing your business.
Our Promise
Solutions for Business helps you make the most of business opportunities and challenges. By targeting public money at real business needs, it helps businesses create sustainable success.
Funded by
Intensive Start-Up Support is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and delivered by a number of organisations on our behalf. This core funding is complemented by co-funding from Local Authorities and Central Government. The NWDA leads the economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest. For further information on the NWDA visit our corporate website www.nwda.co.uk
Further Information
For further information on Intensive Start-Up Support or if you would like to discuss wider business support, contact Business Link Northwest: visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or call 0845 00 66 888
Intensive Start-Up Support Starting a business Starting a new business is exciting, rewarding and full of challenges. If you’re thinking of becoming your own boss, forming a partnership, limited company or looking at other start up options, assistance is available. From preparing a business plan to naming and forming your company, we’ll help you look at the day-to-day reality of running your business. Intensive Start-up Support can offer a range of information, advice and provide personalised support for individuals and groups in areas under represented in self employment and business ownership.
What is Intensive Start-Up Support? Intensive Start-Up Support provides free businessfocused assistance for individuals who wish to start a business or who have been trading for up to three years, whether they are a VAT-registered business or self-employed. It is in addition to the wider range of start-up information and guidance available from Business Link Northwest. It was set up by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), in partnership with Local Authorities, to encourage and make it easier for more people to start up their own businesses, creating jobs and contributing to the success of the Northwest economy. The key benefits of Intensive Start-Up Support are: • Business guidance for up to six months before and up to three years after you start your business • Personalised support from an adviser, coach or mentor • Workshops and seminars covering the range of business issues encountered at start-up The scheme is free to those who qualify for the service. What does it cover? Intensive Start-Up Support covers all the areas involved in starting up and running a business including: • Business idea development and how to research and understand your market • Business strategy and business planning • Finance (including getting paid) • Employing people • Managing and running a small business • Information Communication Technology (ICT) • Advice on premises, Health & Safety and compliance with regulations •
Tools demonstrating the day-to-day reality of starting a business and outlining the skills and qualities needed, for example, self help materials-guides and diagnostic tools
• Sign posting to complementary enterprise support, to ensure you recieve the best advice available
The Intensive Start-Up Support scheme has provided valuable, high quality support and guidance. My business advisor was approachable and encouraging. The consultations, information and practical help supplied increased my knowledge and allowed me to nurture and develop my business idea and make it a reality. The support received provided progressive steps and direction to the complicated process of starting a new enterprise and moving it forward. Esmail Patel - Director DEAF (Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship)
Who is it aimed at?
Am I eligible?
The Intensive Start-Up Support scheme is aimed at people looking to start or already running a business, including social enterprises.
The Intensive Start-Up scheme covers Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
The main criteria are that you: •
Are looking to start up a business in the Northwest or have done so in the last 36 months
•
Fall into one of the groups/ areas which are under- represented in enterprise and which are covered by the scheme
•
Have specific challenges to starting a business which can be resolved through intensive support
Each case is considered on its own merit but support is prioritised for those who fall into one of the region’s under-represented groups in enterprise. This includes, but is not restricted to, women, people with disabilities and black and minority ethnic communities, social enterprises and other local priority groups and communities. To find out if you qualify for the scheme, contact Business Link Northwest, who will be able to go through the scheme requirements in more detail.
With the help of the Intensive Start-Up Support programme from the NWDA, I was able to access their practical help and guidance. A specialist Childcare Business Advisor and Mentor guided me through the process of starting my own business. I was fully motivated with the step by step advice, planning and support that gave me the knowledge and understanding I needed to allow my business to take off. I continue to receive the support and guidance needed to thrive and be successful. Margaret Doran – Director Kidspiration Ltd Private Day Nursery
How does it work?
How do I find out more?
The Intensive Start-Up scheme is accessed through Business Link Northwest. They will confirm your eligibility for the service and refer you to an adviser in your area.
To find out more visit the Business Link Northwest website at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest, where you can find more information on the scheme.
In addition to support for up to six months before the start of trading, to guide the creation of a new business, assistance continues for up to 36 months from the commencement of trading.
Alternatively, telephone Business Link Northwest on 0845 00 66 888 to speak to one of their advisers in your area.
This means your new business can benefit from up to 42 months of support, depending at which stage of business development you seek help. Support is offered in two ways: •
Business guidance and personalised support is provided on a one-to-one basis by experienced individuals who understand the specific needs of new businesses
•
Workshops and seminars are provided on a one-to-many basis, covering the range of business issues encountered at start-up
Support is tailored to your particular needs at a pace which suits you.
For further information on the NWDA visit: www.nwda.co.uk
For more information on Intensive Start-Up Support or if you wish to discuss wider business support contact Business Link Northwest on: 0845 00 66 888 www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest