Free Business Support Programmes

New support from Plymouth City Council is set to help businesses get back on their feet and give entrepreneurs the support they need to get going.

Four brand-new projects will offer businesses a lifeline and support Plymouth’s economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. This will involve helping individuals into self-employment or guiding them as they set up new businesses, as well as supporting existing businesses looking to ‘relaunch’ after the interruption caused by coronavirus. Support is available up until 31 March 2022.

Each of the four business support programmes has its own specific focus:

Business Start-up Support

What is it?

Provision of advice and support for new business start-ups/re-starts, including access to a Business Start-up Specialist, one-to-one support and workshops.

Who's it for?

Individuals and pre-starts, sole traders, new businesses (under 2 years old), businesses re-starting/re-launching

Get in touch

For further information on the Business Start-up Support, visit Outset Enterprise Coaching or contact YTKO via email at enterprisecoaching@outset.org or call 0800 0286 754.

Inspirational Entrepreneurship Programme

What is it?

A programme to increase entrepreneurship, which includes access to a Community Enterprise Advisor, one-to-one, group sessions and flexible support dependent that meets their needs.

Who's it for?

Individuals/pre-starts, sole traders, new businesses (under 2 years old).

Get in touch

For further information on the Inspirational Entrepreneurship Programme, visit Outset Enterprise Coaching or contact YTKO via email at enterprisecoaching@outset.org or call 0800 0286 754.

Digital Pivot Programme

What is it?

Helping businesses to adopt new Digital solutions, enabling them to adapt to the challenges of Covid19 and the need for Digital Transformation, which includes two hours of free one-to-one advice and support, and a series of digital workshops.

Who's it for?

Individuals/pre-starts, sole traders, new businesses (under 2 years old), existing SMEs, businesses re-starting/re-launching.

Get in touch

For further information on the Digital Programme, contact Cosmic at planning@cosmic.org.uk.

Social Enterprise Support

What is it?

Advice for social entrepreneurs and new social enterprises, which includes one-to-one support, workshops focussing on start-up, legal structures and governance, funding and finance, business planning and marketing, social impact,  Personal resilience/leading self and others, as well as 'surgery' type drop-in sessions, and take part in a 'learn how to register your CIC' session.

Who's it for?

Individuals seeking to set up social enterprises; Voluntary and community groups which want to set up legally separate social enterprises; Existing social enterprises under 2 years old; Public, private or voluntary sector employees facing redundancy seeking to set up a new social enterprise; Public sector employees seeking to externalise their service; Existing businesses or other organisations seeking to convert to a new legally separate social enterprise.

Get in touch

For Social Enterprise Support, email the School for Social Entrepreneurs at dartington.admin@sse.org.uk

Find out more about other business support programmes available on the Heart of the South West Growth Hub website.