We’re excited to be a partner in a new enterprise support service for South Bristol that launched at the end of July 2020.
South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) is designed to help residents of South Bristol who are looking to start a business and existing businesses that are looking to grow.
Support will be offered by a partnership of organisations with a range of expertise, including business training and mentoring, supporting young people in enterprise, and digital manufacturing.
SBES will support any sector of business but will include specialist advice for construction, digital and food businesses. It will also provide specific support for young people, social entrepreneurs and women.
Opportunities available through SBES include pre-start up training, bursaries, access to workshops and digital manufacturing technologies, support with product development, grants, business coaching, and more.
Our programme
KWMC The Factory‘s activity will begin in October 2020. Our team will offer a programme of support, training and development for future small business owners who want to learn new skills and access digital manufacturing tools and technologies.
The Factory’s programme will be designed for mixed abilities and no experience of digital manufacturing or creative design is required. However, we ask that all applicants have the desire and commitment to learn digital manufacturing processes, from 3D printing to laser cutting, which are envisaged to play a key role in the formation of their future business.
Penny Evans, Strategic Lead for Knowle West Media Centre, The Factory, explains: “We’ve been based in South Bristol for many years and we know that there is talent and creativity in abundance here – but many people haven’t had the opportunities or support to realise their ideas. We’re looking forward to supporting people who want to become part of a growing community of maker businesses in South Bristol.”
More information about The Factory’s programme will be available soon. For further details about SBES visit www.sbes.org.uk
About SBES
Bristol City Council is leading the partnership which will deliver SBES, which also includes Knowle West Media Centre, The Princes Trust, School for Social Entrepreneurs, and YTKO Ltd.
SBES is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “We’re really pleased to be launching the South Bristol Enterprise Support service with our partners to give entrepreneurial activity in South Bristol a boost, particularly during this difficult time. Working collaboratively with key city partners is going to be vital to the recovery of Bristol, and SBES will help to help people from all walks of life who have brilliant ideas to turn them into thriving businesses. I would encourage anyone in the area who wants to become part of a growing community of local businesses to apply.”
West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles said: “A creative spark or a new idea can come to any of us at any time, but no-matter what your age or background, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help to turn that idea into a business. That’s what South Bristol Enterprise Support is designed for. It gives tailored support to help people strike out on their own and seize the opportunity to turn that into a thriving business. SBES will form part of the expanded regional Growth Hub support to help businesses through Covid-19 and I’m thrilled to see it launch with support from the West of England Combined Authority.”
