Enterprising Worcestershire
The Enterprising Worcestershire programme is here to help support you start, develop, and grow your early-stage business.
There are multiple support options available via the Enterprising Worcestershire programme.
Due to a high demand of applications on this programme and funding availability, some areas are no longer accepting new grants applications. Please see the County Council’s webpage for more information.
Below you can find out about the support, coaching and grant support available to help early stage businesses in Worcestershire.
Pre-Start Support
Fully funded Start-it Business Masterclasses are on offer to equip budding entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge, skills and confidence needed to begin their business venture.
Support is delivered face-to-face in local settings and provides the opportunity for like-minded entrepreneurs to share experiences while gaining purposeful advice and guidance from business start-up specialists.
Business coaching for early-stage businesses
Specialist business coaching support can help early-stage businesses, less than 3 years old, to establish a strong foundation and help them to develop and grow.
The business coaching support is flexible. Between 3 – 10 hours of support is on offer to help businesses meet their needs.
Enterprising Worcestershire Grant
Grant funding from £1,000 – £5,000 is available for eligible SMEs under three years old. Grants are awarded on a match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.
Funding can be used for one-off items such as, but not limited to:
- machinery
- equipment
- website construction
- marketing materials
- consultancy support
Due to funding, the Enterprising Worcestershire Grant is only available to eligible businesses in, Bromsgrove, Malvern, Redditch, Wychavon and Wyre Forest districts. For businesses in Worcester, please contact the Worcester City Council.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Worcestershire County Council. Worcestershire County Council is delivering and managing this programme on behalf of Worcestershire District Councils.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Find out more
To find out more about Enterprising Worcestershire and how you can access it for your businesses, contact the Worcestershire Growth Hub team using the form below.