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New council support for businesses in Southwark

4 October 2022

Southwark Council is delighted to launch a new programme of support for people looking to start up or grow their business in the borough.

The Southwark Pioneers Fund is part of the council's action plan to be on the side of local businesses and support more diversity in business and entrepreneurship in the borough, promoting growth and boosting the local economy.

Business founders of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly women, younger and older people, people with disabilities and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The council teamed up with charity Hatch Enterprise and social enterprise Trampoline to offer the Southwark Pioneers Fund which has two programmes of support. Launchpad is for would-be and early stage entrepreneurs. Grow Your Enterprise is for founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Cllr Martin Seaton, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business & Town Centres, said: “Anyone can successfully run their own business with the right support. If you have a business idea or a business you want to grow in Southwark, our new fund is there to help you reach your full potential. Southwark has a strong pioneer spirit and we want to nurture our home grown businesses as much as possible, especially those headed up by people from underrepresented groups.”

Southwark Pioneers Fund: Launchpad

If you have a business idea or an early-stage start-up:

  • Test your ideas, improve your business skills, identify your target markets, start and build your business
  • Access one-to-one business coaching, advice surgeries, networking events and masterclasses
  • Programme graduates can apply for grants of up to £5K

Applications are open now for the Launchpad programme.

To find out more or to apply, visit www.trampolinecic.org/southwark-pioneers-fund/

Southwark Pioneers Fund: Grow Your Enterprise

If you have an established business you are wanting to grow:

  • Find new funding opportunities, grow your connections, recruit staff, scale your business sustainably
  • Choose between in-depth, intensive support and more flexible, on-demand options
  • The Accelerator is a six-month, intensive form of support with a chance to apply for a grant of up to £10K when you graduate.
  • The Community Package is a selection of year-round business support which allows you flexibility, one-to-one mentoring and expert-led workshops.

Applications are open now for this programme. Access the Community Package all year round or apply for the first Accelerator starting in January 2023. The final deadline for applications for the Accelerator is 9am, Monday 31 October 2022.

To find out more or to apply, visit www.hatchenterprise.org/our-programmes/southwark-pioneers-fund/

Joanna Hamer, Head of Cohort Programmes at Hatch Enterprise, said: “Growing a business is hard, and it's even more challenging without a supportive network of other entrepreneurs around you. We're so excited to be partnering with Southwark Council to deliver these Accelerator programmes and help business owners take their enterprises to the next level.

“With a specific focus on women and other marginalised genders, founders from ethnic minority backgrounds, and founders with disabilities, these Accelerator programmes will provide the knowledge, networks and funding needed to level the playing field in entrepreneurship.

“We're also very happy to be working with fellow enterprise support organisation Trampoline CIC to provide much needed support for all businesses across Southwark, and looking forward to supporting local people and communities.”

Claudine Bongo, Executive Director Founder of Trampoline, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for anyone thinking of setting up or who recently started running a small business. The start-up journey can be daunting, and the challenges difficult without having the right type of support. The Southwark Pioneers Fund: Launchpad will guide you through the process and connect you with like-minded people.

 

“We’re here to help and support you all the way to running a successful start-up. If yours is a more established business, our partner Hatch Enterprise will be more than happy to help you grow, scale up and make your business more sustainable.”

Page last updated: 04 October 2022

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