Free course for entrepreneurs planning to start high growth businesses

Inspiring EnterpriseStarting 10 January 2017, the Essex Innovation Programme (EIP), is working with the Eastern Enterprise Hub to run a FREE 12 session course to help entrepreneurs gain business development skills. The aim of the Inspiring Enterprise course is to support and provide advice for up to 15 entrepreneurs through the early stages of commercialisation of new business ideas as this is the most critical time for them.

As well as receiving expert business advice throughout the course, entrepreneurs will also be able to pitch for cash prizes, up to £2,000, to further develop their enterprise idea. Start-ups from creative, digital, healthcare and environmental sectors are encouraged to apply.

A course for people wanting to set up a business in Essex

Inspiring EnterpriseInspiring Enterprise is a highly practical course for entrepreneurs who want to launch and monetise their business idea. It will enable people looking to develop a good understanding of setting up and running their own business.

Attendees will go through a range of subjects and training sessions and hear from successful entrepreneurs and meet and work with other aspiring/existing entrepreneurs, with the aim of gaining confidence as well as practical knowledge.

“This fantastic initiative funded by the Essex Innovation Programme will help budding entrepreneurs get their businesses reaching new heights. Essex has a thriving business community and there is a wealth of support available to newcomers who have the potential to become our business leaders of the future. I would encourage those with a great business idea to take up this offer and show that Essex Means Business by signing up for an information session now.”


Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Partnerships, Essex County Council 

What the programme will cover . . .

  • Creative thinking
  • Leadership
  • Marketing and sales
  • Business planning

Graduating with a view to setting up a business in Essex

Inspiring Enterprise graduates

The Inspiring Enterprise course enables entrepreneurs to develop everything they need to know about running their own enterprise. Earlier this year the graduates from the first cohort of Inspiring Enterprise were from a diverse range of businesses including an online video directory, an African Caribbean food delivery service and psychology programmes for at-risk young people. The course’s success rate is high with over half the graduates already trading.

“Essex has always had a thriving population of entrepreneurs and it’s good to see this continue with the Inspiring Enterprise course. We are really pleased to be supporting this work in helping people with great business ideas access the professional help they need to develop those ideas.”

Helen Quinnell, Enterprise Project Officer, Essex Innovation Programme

The course is brought to you by

Digby Chackfield, Helen Quinnell, graduate from Inspiring Enterprise courseThe Essex Innovation Programme is working with the Eastern Enterprise Hub to reach entrepreneurs and provide training and support to help them commercialise their business ideas.

The Essex Innovation Programme (EIP) works with established companies and small businesses to help them to develop, and take to market, innovative products and services.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the Essex Innovation Programme to deliver this exciting course, which will support entrepreneurs across Essex.  With Colchester being known as a creative and business hub of the UK, we are keen to hear from start-ups from various sectors such as creative, digital, healthcare and environmental. We would love to hear from a wide spread of people as Inspiring Enterprise 2016 will enable start-ups to gain the required knowledge and support they need to develop their business offerings.”


Digby Chacksfield, CEO, Eastern Enterprise Hub

Course details

The course runs over a 12 week period at the University of Essex.

If you are interested in joining Inspiring Enterprise please call 01473 527100 or email Heidi Love: .

See here for more information on Inspiring Enterprise.

Helen Quinnell
Helen Quinnell

Innovation Manager

Biography

I work with innovative SMEs across Essex providing a range of support to enable business growth through the Essex Innovation Programme. This includes business mentoring for start-ups, early stage and established companies, signposting to funding and finance, as well as arranging networks and events to provide opportunities for business collaboration.