***This project has now ended***
If you live in South Bristol and are interested in making, digital manufacturing or developing your own products and ideas, a new enterprise support programme at KWMC The Factory could be for you.
MADE in South Bristol has two strands: Exploring Creative Enterprise for beginners, and Growing Creative Businesses for people with existing businesses.
MADE kicked off in Autumn 2020 and its second round of Exploring Creative Enterprise sessions will run from 3 February 2021. Applications are now open for people who are new to business and keen to learn more about making and how to turn creative hobbies and ideas into an enterprise!
Over 12 hours the team at our making and innovation space KWMC The Factory will guide participants through the product design process, cover the basics of business, and provide support in developing and testing ideas.
The first cohort of Exploring Creative Business took place in November and December 2020. Since taking part, one of the participants has started exploring sustainable creative practices and how to re-use waste materials from making, such as acrylics. She commented: “I was able to re-evaluate what is important to me in a shareable space. I also enjoyed giving myself time to reflect and think about my ideas.”
Another participant developed an idea for sustainably-sourced branded clothing. He said, “[MADE in South Bristol] was great because you got to mix with other people online, who are similar to you, who are all interested in learning […] MADE was a positive experience right from the word go, it was pitched just right for me and I enjoyed it.”
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, MADE sessions will be delivered online until further notice, through interactive tools including an online whiteboard and video calls. To support at-home learning, participants are provided with workshop packs.
Applications for the February – March 2021 round of Exploring Creative Business are now open and should be submitted by 23:59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.
If you like the sound of MADE and already have a creative business, or you’re a sole trader or freelancer currently trading with a company registration number or Unique Tax Reference number, in early 2021 MADE will also be running the Growing Creative Business strand.
Both strands of MADE in South Bristol are free to take part in and open to people aged 18+
MADE in South Bristol is delivered by KWMC The Factory as part of South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES), which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and West of England Combined Authority Investment Fund. SBES is delivered in partnership by Bristol City Council, YTKO, School for Social Entrepreneurs, The Prince’s Trust, and KWMC The Factory.
