News & Case Studies

5 Benefits of Entrepreneurship in the Economy

It is Global Entrepreneurship Week (16th-22nd November 2020), so we are celebrating entrepreneurship and how it is important to recognise its contribution to the economic development. Entrepreneurs are not only provided with opportunities that benefit themselves, but their work also develops the economic sector.

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Become an Enterprise Adviser

Your experience matters.

Help schools and colleges shape the futures of young people.

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GIVE AN HOUR CAMPAIGN - Call for SMEs to get involved

In an hour, you could change the course of a young person’s life by sharing your story or helping them understand more about the world of work. And sometimes that’s all that is needed. Could you be that someone?

Small business owners and employees are needed to help show young people the variety of careers available to them.

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Extensions announced to Kickstart and cash incentives for taking on Apprentices

Cash incentives of £3,000 for every apprentice a business hires ended in September, but Sunak has prolonged the scheme by four months until the end of January.

Kickstart, which subsidises job placements for young people on universal credit, was due to end in December but will now be extended by three months to March 2022.

Employers considering either of these schemes as a way to upskill or expand their workforce can get free, impartial advice and support for the GBSLEP Skills Hub. 

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Kickstart is coming to an end; what now?

With the Kickstart Scheme coming to an end, there are many other skills solutions that employers can look into, such as work experience, traineeships or apprenticeships. Find out how the GBSLEP Skills and Apprenticeships Hub can support you in creating jobs and training opportunities, and growing your business.

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What counts as intellectual property, and how to identify yours

Many businesses own intellectual property but don't realise it. Here is an overview of what counts as intellectual property and what kinds of assets you should look at protecting. 

In September and October we are running a series of free webinars for businesses at all stages of development where you can hear from IP experts and Growth Hub Business Advisers. We are here to help you identify, protect and monetise your creative property.

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Small Habitats Grants Programme

Through delivery of the ERDF Small Habitats Grants Programme we are enabling a greener GBSLEP. Through the programme eligible organisations from across the GBSLEP area will be able to deliver green and blue infrastructure improvements at a smaller scale. The overall aim of the programme is to improve 20 hectares of land and habitat improvement.

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New social enterprise in Solihull receives support from the Growth Hub and iSE

“I have found the support from iSE and the Growth Hub really motivating, I now understand what I need to do to move forward and make a real difference”

GBSLEP Growth Hub and iSE have worked in partnership to offer free support to an emerging social enterprise in Solihull that provides care for people who care for others.

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Tech company receives help with access to finance and increasing their professional network

Video case study.

"Working with the Growth Hub has been so useful for both my personal and business branding. They have expanded my professional networks and have helped us to make our value proposition stronger" -  Khadijeh Rahmani, Managing Director of AIO APP

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Tender opportunity for online events

Outline: Design and deliver three on-line events designed to engage an audience of diverse industry sectors to consider how technology and working with creative industries in particular can enable them to drive change and innovation within their organisations, processes and use of creative thinking to adapt, grow and thrive. Utilising presenters from academia and creative businesses to illustrate what is possible, what can be achieved and what can be imagined. Creative industries can help to facilitate a pivot and change in business through reimaging the use of technology, innovation and vision. Businesses engaged should ideally be new to Growth Hub support.

Please provide a quote for delivery by 8th October 2021.

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