Business support programmes
Want to find out what free programmes you're eligible for?
Browse our top picks here - from funds to accelerators - or contact us for tailored advice on what's right for you.
- Social Enterprise
West Midlands
West Midlands Social Economy Business Support programme
Provided by West Midlands Combined Authority
Developing the business skills of Social Enterprises, Community Owned Businesses, Coops and Charity Trading Arms to help them grow and be more sustainable
Government funded
- Starting a Business
- Social Enterprise
Coventry
Starting a Community Business
Provided by Coventry & Warwickshire CDA
Support for groups seeking to set up new not for profits as well as those already trading
Free
- Starting a Business
- Social Enterprise
West Midlands
West Midlands Ownership Hub
Provided by Aston University
Working to establish more worker co-operatives and employee-owned businesses, as a way to enhance business performance, boost local economies and empower people in their working lives
Free
- Social Enterprise
West Midlands
UnLtd
Tailored assistance, including funding of up to £18,000 to help launch or expand social ventures.
Free
FAQs
Programmes come in a number of different formats. Accelerators are usually a focused series of workshop-style sessions aimed at boosting growth in a particular area. Some are a series of events to equip you with specific knowledge and appropriate networking opportunities. Some give you access to funds. Most come with some element of coaching or mentoring from a relevant expert. All our designed to facilitate one or more aspects of business growth. We recommend businesses contact us for free advice on which programmes to choose.
Contact us. Let us know a little bit about your business, and your ambitions for growing it, and one of our Business Advisers will signpost you to the best programmes - and any funding - that you're eligible for.
Some are run and/or funded by Business Growth West Midlands. The rest are from various providers such as Local Authorities, Universities, banks, research institutes and not-for-profit organisations. With so much on offer it can be hard to navigate all the options and decide what's going to be the best investment of your time, so we recommend you contact us for free advice on which programmes to apply for.
No. There are hundreds of opportunities and they are always changing. We list key initiatives here to give you an idea of what's on offer, but recommend you contact us for free, comprehensive, up-to-date advice on the right opportunities for your business.