Business Start Up Programme by Invest Rotherham

So you want to start a business? No matter the scale of your plans, if it’s your business, it matters.

Our business start-up programme offers the knowledge, tools and techniques you need to enable you to create a successful business. A series of workshops and tailored one-to-one support takes you from an idea towards developing a sustainable and profitable business.

If you are an early stage business in the first three years of life looking to grow, we’ll design a unique, innovative package of help around your needs.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We understand this is a difficult time for businesses, especially new start-ups where your plans may have been turned upside down. As well as navigating through issues, it’s a good time to take stock, look at your business, customers, products and services and seek out new opportunities and new ways of doing things.

Our dedicated start-up support team is fully operational, working remotely and is available for one-to-one video calls to talk through your issues and ideas. Social distancing means our specialist group workshops are moving online so we are running some initial small group video sessions on relevant topics based on demand from businesses, including digital marketing, HR, legal surgeries, etc.

We are here to help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!

From an idea to a new business

Module 1: It all starts with an ideas workshop to look in detail at your products, services, customers and competitors. You’ll look at how to make your business stand out from the competition and provide solutions your customers really want.

Module 2: We’ll help you map out how you’ll market and sell your products and services, creating a marketing plan to attract and retain customers.

Module 3: We’ll then look at all the different operational aspects of your business, costs and legal issues to check it all adds up before you take the plunge.

We’re not going to ask you to write a formal business plan (unless you absolutely need one). Our advisers will help you develop an action plan and act as an ongoing source of support as your business evolves. Check out the workshops listings to find out more.

Expert workshops and support

For more established businesses and ideas, a programme of workshops delivered by subject experts provides you with the knowledge to drive your enterprise forward.

Workshops around marketing, branding, sales, social media and creating digital media provide key knowledge in winning new customers. You can also call on our advisers to help further develop your business model using the latest techniques, creating a marketing strategy to grow sales.

Advice can include how to manage your finances, including digital accounting and forecasting so you can make informed decisions to help your business develop. We also arrange drop-in sessions with local law firms where you can get your legal questions answered.

A major milestone of any new business is when you need to recruit new staff to grow, but it can be a daunting prospect. Our experts provide advice around how to do it right to attract the best people and stay compliant within employment regulations.

Who’s involved?

We are delivering the Sheffield City Region Launchpad Project in the Rotherham area. If you’ve an idea or business that’s been trading less than 36 months the Launchpad project can help.

The Launchpad is supported financially by the European Union and has attracted £2,073,682 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development.

See the events page for details of up-coming workshops or contact us for more information and to speak to an advisor.

Mighty help is just a call away –