Business support for new entrepreneurs

IntoEnterprise: support for new entrepreneurs

The School of Business and Enterprise (SBE) at St Martin’s College is leading a new project, IntoEnterprise which aims to provide expertise and support to new entrepreneurs across the North West.

Rochdale Town Hall will host the launch on Wednesday 20 June 2007 at 5.30pm. This is part of the regional launch of events taking place across the North West from mid June. Local businesses are encouraged to attend and find out how they can benefit from the programme.

IntoEnterprise is a new initiative, designed to enable recently started enterprises to maximise potential and achieve fast track growth. The project will focus on enterprises based within specific areas in Manchester, Rochdale, East Lancashire, Blackpool, Lancaster, Morecambe, Barrow, West Cumbria, Carlisle and Eden Valley. 

IntoEnterprise will offer free access to business experts and coaching, online business skills training, peer support networks, advertising and promotional opportunities plus support.

An 'enterprise portal' has been developed which amongst other opportunities for new enterprises will feature an  enterprise library, notice boards, news areas, diagnostic tools and signposts to enterprise opportunities.

There are 500,000 small to medium enterprises in the North West who employ 47% of the population and account for a 37% of private sector turnover.  Only around one-third of new start-ups make it to their fourth year.

Project Manager Karl Lester explains: “IntoEnterprise will help new enterprises across the region by giving them access to expert advice and business networks, providing them with an entrepreneurial community so they can flourish. We want to help businesses grow and develop, not only to benefit the business itself but also the region as a whole.”

The programme is designed to be inclusive but is restricted to certain areas of the North West.

IntoEnterprise is a partnership of Higher Education and Voluntary Organisations including St Martin’s College (School of Business and Enterprise), Manchester Metropolitan University (Centre for Enterprise); the University of Central Lancashire; Voluntary Action Cumbria and Rochdale Council.  The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the North West Regional Development Agency and a contribution from the Rochdale Borough Neigbourhood Renewal Fund. 

Interested parties can find out further information on www.intoenterprise.com