Business support in libraries

Build Your Business

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire are launching a programme of business support in North Northamptonshire.

Build Your Business is a new programme which is aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.

The programme consists of:

• 1:1s
• webinars
• workshops
• access to specialist business databases
• mentoring
• networking
• start-up grants of up to £2,000

Start-up business grants

Part of the Build Your Business programme is the opportunity to apply for a grant. Successful applicants will receive a £2,000 grant for business expenses and ongoing support from the BIPC Northamptonshire team. 
 
The eligibility criteria and terms and conditions include:

• the business must be registered in Northamptonshire and be less than one year old on the application deadline
• the business must read and comply with the full terms and conditions, must submit a completed business plan using the BIPC Northamptonshire business plan template, and submit a completed application form
• the business must have attended at least three BIPC Northamptonshire Build Your Business sessions prior to application. This can be any combination of workshops, webinars, 1:1’s or mentoring
• grant applications must be received by midday on Friday 3 May 2024

Download the application form, business plan template and full terms and conditions.

Modules cover the key areas of running a business

Module 1: Build Your Business - start here!

This module provides a valuable introduction to the Build Your Business programme, including details of the support available and the grant application process and requirements. This is also an opportunity to start building your network of other local business owners.

Module 2: Markets and customers

• Importance of marketing and the impact it can have on your business.
• Understand your market, opportunities, trends, and market potential.
• What is a brand? Why is it important to a start-up and small business and how does it deliver growth and impact?
• Brand identity development, what’s your personality, what are your values and what do you believe in?
• Creating a marketing plan.
• Digital channel overview - what is the best way to reach your audience and communicate with them effectively?

There are bookable 1:1 mentoring sessions available for this module open to Northamptonshire businesses. We have a limited number of sessions available, so this will be on a first come first serve basis. To book a mentoring 1:1 please email [email protected].

Module 3: Business growth strategy

• Use a range of established strategic tools to help consider what will work best for you, your business and your ambitions.
• What is important to maintain and develop in your business using the Business Model Canvas.
• Help you develop your own strategy for business growth to share with investors and lenders.
• Effective resource management, which assets are most important to your business and what assets do you need to develop.
• Build effective processes and polices for people management.

Module 4: Financial planning

• Enable you to read and use the financial information your business needs to thrive.
• Use a range of simple tools to measure progress to ensure that sales will generate profits, and that profitability will not be at the expense of future stability.
• Look at the key forecasts for your cost, cash and contributions
• Finance and planning for growth

Module 5: Personal development for business owners

• Examine the behaviours that can get in the way of running a successful business and those that contribute
• Content will include time management, prioritisation and delegation as well as holding on to purpose and resilience.

There are bookable 1:1 mentoring sessions available for this module open to Northamptonshire businesses. We have a limited number of sessions available, so this will be on a first come first serve basis. To book a mentoring 1:1 please email [email protected].

The programme is completely flexible so businesses can access as much support as they need, tailored to them.

Find out more about Build Your Business workshops and webinars on Eventbrite.

As part of the programme weekly business support drop-ins in Wellingborough Library are being offered, as well as bookable 1:1s in Kettering or Wellingborough Libraries or online.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 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, please visit UK shared prosperity fund prospectus GOV.UK.

Last updated 25 January 2024