Topic: Business support

Apply now for the Amazon Innovation Accelerator

Posted on by Marie

Amazon is looking for Midlands businesses to enrol on its Innovation Accelerator programme. Successful companies will get tailored, practical workshops to help them innovate, adopt new technologies and implement more sustainable practices.

During the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, one senior representative from each participating business will attend two all-day workshops. These will take place on Tuesday 17 October and Wednesday 15 November at Amazon’s fulfilment centre, just outside Sutton Coldfield. Attendees will also get three hours of free mentoring with a member of Amazon UK’s senior leadership team.

The programme combines the expertise of Amazon, Amazon Web Services, the Growth Company and Made Smarter. The latter is a government-backed initiative that helps local manufacturers overcome operational challenges through digital technology.

A catalyst for growth

Neil Travis, regional operations director at Amazon said: “Amazon has been serving customers in the UK for 25 years and we know how important it is to maintain a start-up mentality and find new ways to innovate. The success of small businesses is vital to Amazon, and we want to use the expertise of our teams to be a catalyst for growth and productivity for more local businesses and have a positive impact on jobs and the community.”

For more information, including an agenda for the first workshop day, visit the Amazon Innovation Accelerator page of the Innovation Alliance website.

To apply, email madesmarter@cwgrowthhub.co.uk. The programme can only take 20 people, so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment.

See more programmes and resources for growing your business
See more programmes and resources for growing your business

Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency: join this 16-week programme for free

Posted on by Marie

The Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency is a free sixteen-week programme to help you achieve profitable, sustainable growth for your business.

The Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency is for leaders in the West Midlands who want to upskill and optimise their organisation’s processes and output.

MTC Training is delivering the programme. Thanks to a partnership with Lloyds Bank, it will be free for the cohorts starting between now (September) and November 2023.

About the Skills Bootcamp

Through a blend of in-person classroom and online sessions, you will examine the strengths and challenges facing your manufacturing business. Experts will help you see how they impact your organisation’s ability to execute strategy and become more profitable.

You will also have personal development modules so you can enhance your leadership and management skills to further drive productivity.

About the commitment you need to make

MTC Training has made the learning programme flexible, to minimise disruption to your business. You or your employees can participate without needing to be absent from work too much.

You should expect to commit a total of 65-70 learning hours over the 16 weeks. Twenty-four hours of this will be during week five, delivered in a four-day block at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry. You will spend a further ten hours learning at your own site, to coincide with your usual working pattern. MTC Training will direct your self-study element to the course, but you will have to manage your learning.

How to sign up

Find out more and sign up for the next round with MTC Training.

More ways to grow your Sandwell business
More ways to grow your Sandwell business

FUSE: join this social enterprise start-up programme in Sandwell

Posted on by Marie

SWEDA is running a twelve-week social enterprise start-up programme for Sandwell businesses. Sign up for FUSE and work through the ideas stage of your enterprise, to launch and beyond.

The Skills Work and Enterprise Development Agency (SWEDA) is running a social enterprise start-up programme for businesses based in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

FUSE is a twelve-week programme to take businesses from the ideas stage to launch and beyond through dedicated business support.

What does the FUSE social enterprise start-up programme offer?

FUSE offers you hands-on hybrid business support to start a social enterprise, with five practical masterclasses on business mindsets.

You can also get access to a supportive community of social entrepreneurs and industry experts.

The masterclass topics are:

  • Confidence building
  • Business mindsets
  • Social value creation
  • Building sustainable business models finance and funding
  • Digital marketing.

When does the programme run?

The FUSE programme starts on Tuesday 12 September 2023. The masterclasses will take place online on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm:

12 September
26 September
10 October
24 October
7 November
21 November.

Funding for social enterprises

When you complete the programme you will also have the opportunity to access grant funding – if your business is eligible.

The West Midlands Social Enterprise Boost Fund will offer a range of grants and targeted business support to help new and existing social enterprises start up, scale up and grow. The aim of the SEB Fund is to create positive social and environmental impact.

How to register for FUSE

For further information and to express your interest, contact SWEDA on 0121 525 2558 or email sweda@sweda.org.uk.

More support for social enterprises
More support for social enterprises

Get Connected in Sandwell: breakfast networking

Come and join the Sandwell Business Growth Team, Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce for a breakfast networking event in Oldbury on Thursday 21 September.

We’re hosting the event at Jack Judge House (Halesowen Street, Oldbury B69 2AJ) which is soon to become home to the Sandwell Start-Up Hub.

Learn about the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

The event is free to attend. It’s a great opportunity to network with other businesspeople and learn about funded courses and grants/business support for your Sandwell business. You can have breakfast for free too: bacon, sausage or a vegetarian option.

Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Get ready for international trade: exclusive workshops for Sandwell businesses

Posted on by Marie

We’re launching a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell-based businesses, covering a range of valuable topics. Join us!

Has your Sandwell business started its international trade (importing and/or exporting) journey yet? Would you like some guidance for future success?

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

  • Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
  • Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
  • Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
  • Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
  • Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.

Free face-to-face international trade workshops

We’re aiming our free face-to-face workshops at Sandwell-based businesses to support and improve your global trade activities. We’ll cover topics that are suitable for businesses new to international trade – right up to experienced importers and exporters seeking to expand their market activities.

Our first workshop takes place on Friday 22 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury (soon to be our Sandwell Start-Up Hub!). It’s called ‘The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide’.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

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The workshop will introduce you to the world of exporting and importing, focusing on the terms and practices used. Sam will provide an overview of some of the most common international trading areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, Incoterms®, and export and import customs requirements.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Further information and registration

At the later events, we’ll cover topics for more experienced import/export companies. All the workshops are for Sandwell businesses.

Register for Friday 22 September

Workshop: The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell businesses. Join us at the first one on Friday 22 September!

We (the Sandwell Business Growth Team) are holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

  • Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
  • Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
  • Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
  • Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
  • Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.
Read more about our international trade workshops

Our first workshop takes place on Friday 22 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury (soon to be our Sandwell Start-Up Hub!). It’s called ‘The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide’.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The workshop will introduce you to the world of exporting and importing, focusing on the terms and practices used. Sam will provide an overview of some of the most common international trading areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, Incoterms®, and export and import customs requirements.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Register via Eventbrite today.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub launch event

Come to our Sandwell Start-Up Hub launch on Tuesday 26 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury.

Our new hub offers desks, resources, collaborative spaces, free WiFi and networking opportunities.

Free desk space in Oldbury

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub has open-plan office space within a hot-desking environment, equipped with 60 desks and free WiFi. There, you can work alongside entrepreneurs and new businesses, and access meeting rooms.

We understand the importance of having a productive workspace so we’re excited to provide it to local businesses at no cost for the first year (until September 2024).

Interior of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, with clean open space, round tables and a communal kitchen

Location and layout of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

The hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury (B69 2AJ). This is the former Oldbury library building, opposite Sandwell Council House (where the library is now housed).

It has three areas:

Collaboration Zone
Where entrepreneurs can engage in meaningful networking and spark collaborations.

Quiet Zone
For focused work, allowing you to immerse yourself in your tasks without distraction – for maximum productivity.

Event Zone
Where we will host business support organisations to deliver informative sessions on a variety of topics.

Grow together at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

We’ve designed the Sandwell Start-Up Hub to be more than a physical space. Together we will build a community of like-minded individuals, supporting one another’s growth.

Whether your established business is looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.

To find out more or register for the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, contact the Sandwell Business Growth Team at Sandwell_StartupHub@sandwell.gov.uk. We will send you a registration form to complete. Eventually, you will be able to book your desk through the MySandwell app.

You can also join the launch event on Tuesday 26 September. We’re holding this from 9.30am to 11.30am at the hub. Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub: welcome to your free, inspiring co-working space in Oldbury

Posted on by Marie

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or do you have a growing business in Sandwell? Come and work in our supportive, innovative co-working environment at Jack Judge House in Oldbury.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub is our exciting initiative, launching on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

Designed to give local businesses the tools they need to flourish, our new hub offers desks, resources, collaborative spaces, free WiFi and networking opportunities.

Free hot-desking and meeting space in Oldbury

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub has open-plan office space within a hot-desking environment, equipped with 60 desks and free WiFi. There, you can work alongside entrepreneurs and new businesses, and access meeting rooms.

We understand the importance of having a productive workspace so we’re excited to provide it to local businesses at no cost for the first year (until September 2024).

Interior of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, with clean open space, round tables and a communal kitchen

Jack Judge House: location and layout of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

The hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury (B69 2AJ). This is the former Oldbury library building, opposite Sandwell Council House (where the library is now housed).

It has three areas:

Collaboration Zone
Where entrepreneurs can engage in meaningful networking and spark collaborations.

Quiet Zone
For focused work, allowing you to immerse yourself in your tasks without distraction – for maximum productivity.

Event Zone
Where we will host business support organisations to deliver informative sessions on a variety of topics.

Grow together at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

We’ve designed the Sandwell Start-Up Hub to be more than a physical space. Together we will build a community of like-minded individuals, supporting one another’s growth.

Whether your small established business is looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.

To find out more or register for the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, contact the Sandwell Business Growth Team at Sandwell_StartupHub@sandwell.gov.uk. We will send you a registration form to complete. Eventually, you will be able to book your desk through the MySandwell app.

You can also join the launch event on Tuesday 26 September. We’re holding this from 9.30am to 11.30am at the hub. Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Go green, save money: new UK Business Climate Hub

Posted on by Marie

The government’s new UK Business Climate Hub gives you practical advice for reducing your business carbon footprint and saving on energy bills.

Through the hub, you can get advice on everything from paying less for electric vehicles and sourcing products from green suppliers, to installing solar panels and making money by selling green energy back to the grid.

The website includes a free carbon calculator and other tools to help your business measure, track and report on emissions.

Research shows that 90 per cent of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but don’t know how or where to start. Also, 85 per cent of customers are more likely to buy from businesses with a reputation for sustainability. So going greener makes good commercial sense.

Graham Stuart is Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. He said: “More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so. The hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy.”

‘A valuable tool for business leaders’

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group chief executive and co-chair of the Net Zero Council, said: “None of us will get to net zero without all of us getting to net zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour.”

The Broadway Initiative is managing the UK Business Climate Hub. The collaboration developed it in partnership with associations such as the Federation of Small Business and the Institute of Directors. They had support from the British Business Bank, HSBC, NatWest, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid and National Grid. The hub is the UK partner of the international SME Climate Hub.

Find out more at the UK Business Climate Hub website.

Visit our climate resilience page
Visit our climate resilience page

Be the solution: join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Posted on by Marie

Aston University and partners have pioneered an innovative technology that can convert organic materials into commercially valuable bioproducts. Will your Sandwell business join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator and benefit from helping them take it to market?

The breakthrough from Aston University and local industrial leaders uses an innovative pyrolysis technology. (Pyrolysis is the breaking down of organic materials by subjecting them to very high temperatures and without oxygen. It yields energy-rich liquids and gases, and a solid substance known as biochar.)

Their new process can convert organic materials such as sawdust, fallen trees, agricultural straw, and dried chicken litter into these commercially valuable bioproducts, including biochar, gases and liquids.

Low-carbon solutions offer growth opportunities

Now, the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute and the Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability at Aston University are looking for partners to commercialise biochar and related bioproducts. They’re inviting West Midlands companies to join a new business accelerator programme designed to develop new low-carbon products such as:

  • Low-carbon fuel for boilers and engines
  • Soil conditioners and products for improved plant, tree and animal health
  • Biochar for carbon capture and credits
  • Biochar for water treatment and odour control
  • Biochar for building and composite material
  • Bioliquids for low carbon weedkiller, fungicide and plant growth enhancer.

Join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Led by Aston University, the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is a business growth programme offering you a pathway to:

  • Technological advancements that set your business apart
  • Skill and knowledge enrichment to navigate the evolving landscape
  • Strategic networking and supply chain collaborations
  • Access to diverse funding sources for growth
  • Expanding into new market opportunities.

To find out more about this opportunity, visit Aston University’s Biochar CleanTech Accelerator page.

See also the Clean Futures Accelerator Programme. This and the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator are part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator – a £100m growth-focused partnership between our region and central government.  

See more low-carbon business growth opportunities
See more low-carbon business growth opportunities

Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM): launch event

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM): comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is taking place on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena. It’s for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

There, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address. He will show his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including through WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees.

Why attend the BGWM launch?

  • Hear about £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses
  • Find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region
  • Network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders
  • Access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area
  • Have a free lunch.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

Green Advantage: join the skills bootcamp in business sustainability

Posted on by Administrator

Green Advantage is a five-session course for managers who want to explore environmental challenges on their business.

Give yourself an informed approach to environmental issues and start your journey to sustainability. Through Green Advantage, you can have five interactive workshops, peer networking and one-to-one business coaching over twelve weeks. The course is designed to fit around full-time work.

The Department for Education via the West Midlands Combined Authority has funded Green Advantage, as part of the government’s Skills Bootcamps. Aston University is delivering it. The next cohort will start their sessions in September 2023.

Develop a road map to sustainability for your business

During the course, you will develop a bespoke sustainability roadmap for your enterprise. Maybe you will take practical actions to lower emissions and save energy. Or perhaps you will decide to overhaul your business model and values completely.

The cost of the Green Advantage course varies, according to your business size. SMEs must contribute £296.95 per learner, while for large businesses it’s £890 per learner. It is free for self-employed people. The next cohort starts in September 2023.

For more information visit the Aston University Centre for Growth page.

Get more ideas for achieving net zero
Get more ideas for achieving net zero

Join the launch of Business Growth West Midlands

Posted on by Administrator

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena.

BGWM will provide comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

At the event, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address, showing his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees, encouraging active engagement with BGWM’s support services.

Why attend the launch?

  • Attendees at the event will be among the first to hear about the £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses.
  • You can find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region.
  • There will be opportunities to network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders,
  • You can access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area.
  • There is a free lunch for all attendees.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

When? Where? How do I register?

  • When? Tuesday 12 September, 9.30am –  4.30pm (come along for all or part of the day)
  • Where? Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Longford, Coventry CV6 6AQ
  • Register: Sign up here to attend.

Email businessgrowthevents@wmca.org.uk if you have questions. Or you can use the following links for more information about BGWM and the official launch event:

Learn more about Business Growth West Midlands.

See more listings on our events page
See more listings on our events page

Sandwell Business Growth is here: welcome to our new website

Posted on by Administrator

If you’re reading this, you’ve found Sandwell Business Growth – the new website from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team. Welcome!

It’s replacing www.thinksandwell.com – our faithful old website which, in internet years, was more than ready to hang up its work suits and get out its slippers.

We want our new website to feel accessible and welcoming to our huge Sandwell business community.

Our overriding goal is to help you grow. Because when Sandwell businesses thrive, they create jobs, raise aspirations, boost skills and generate wealth for our Black Country economy.

And we’re passionate about supporting your business to grow in a way that ensures people and communities benefit too.

Three things to do here today:

We’re still making changes to the website. So if you see any snags, we’d love you to tell us via our contact page.

Thank you to Tobi and team at West Bromwich-based Studio 14 for their help and expertise in building this website!

Meet the Sandwell Business Growth Team
Meet the Sandwell Business Growth Team