The Business Support Navigator Growth Hub was created specifically to help local businesses with in the Coast to Capital area from Brighton across to Chichester and up as far as Croydon, to  provide a free signposting business support service to enable business to access the right grants, funding and business support that they may need.

The Business Support Navigator Growth Hub was created specifically to help local businesses wtihin the Coast to Captial area, to provide free signposting business support service to enable businesses access to the right grants, funding and business support they may need.

The service is free to use, and consists of three telephone based Business Navigators and two Senior Business Navigators. Between them, they have experience in all aspects of business including business support, premises and facilities, administration, management, human resources and funding. Their aim is to take a lot of the hassle and effort away from business owners so they can concentrate on the most important aspect of their business, which is selling their products and services.

So far, over 4,000 businesses and entrepreneurs across the Coast to Capital region have used the Business Navigator service for support on a range of issues.

Fantastic pitches were delivered at by the participants of the third Entrepreneurs Academy at East Surrey College on Thursday 19 November 2015. This free initiative to help support and develop business within the borough, brings entrepreneurs together to provide skills and opportunities to develop their business ideas.

The nine members of the Academy pitched their ideas to a panel of 'Dragons' to compete for a £5,000 investment grant provided by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. Congratulations to the winner of the 2015 Entrepreneur Academy, Sumi Wang for eFOLDi. Sumi’s product is a battery powered, portable personal vehicle. The investment will help launch the product to the market, which has already garnered local business interest.

 Sumi commented:

“Coming from an engineering background, the Entrepreneur Academy has helped me tremendously to understand the business world, from cash flow through legal protections to digital marketing. It has also provided a friendly and welcoming environment to get honest feedback of eFOLDi, which is invaluable at product R&D stage. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to start his/her own business”

As a result of the talent being so high this year, two runners up, Frank Sinclair and Halani Foulsham, each received £1,000 for their business ideas: The ‘Tone at Home’ Project and The Rooted Tree Journal Series respectively. All members will continue to receive mentoring support, ensuring they stay motivated and on track with bringing their business ideas to the market.

Cllr Eddy Humphreys, the Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Jobs, said of the scheme:

“We are keen to encourage and foster entrepreneurial behaviour because new business start-ups are good for our local economy. Through the Entrepreneur Academy and our other business support initiatives we are trying to ensure that our entrepreneurs have the business skills they need when they start out and to support small businesses on their journey. Big congratulations to Sumi for winning this year’s Entrepreneur Academy. I wish her and all the participants every success in their new business ventures.”

Why not express your interest in next years Entrepreneurs Academy, starting next spring?

Our huge thanks go out to the local companies that supported the Academy with training input Morrisons Solicitors, Kingston Smith and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.  Also to the 'Dragons' for their valuable feedback on the pitches: Rosemary French OBE (Gatwick Diamond Initiative), Brian Turner (Creative Pod Limited/Director, Young Start-Up Talent) and Brian Woods (Federation of Small Business)

Small Business Saturday on 5 December is now entering its third year. It does a great job of highlighting the importance of small businesses to their local area and the UK as a whole.

They are the UK’s engine room - the success of our economy is built on the hard work and determination of the people who start them, run them, work for them and support them.

If you are a small business, this is a great opportunity to get involved and increase your profile locally. In the run-up to and on the day of Small Business Saturday, the campaign organisers are running a range of free talks and workshops on a number of topics. Everything from turning an idea into a business, through to marketing or growing a small business.

To keep up to date, follow @SmallBizSatUK on Twitter and get involved in the conversation using the #SmallBizSatUK and #SmallBizSat hashtags.

Last year’s Small Business Saturday saw 16.5 million people out spending a total of £550 million with small businesses on the day, and wouldn’t it be great to have every small business involved this year. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1MxGH6W.

Events happening locally on 5 December:

REIGATE
From 10.30am Santa arriving by Helicopter in Priory Park - Redhill and Reigate round table
12-5pm Reigate Christmas Fair, including donkey rides, market stalls and street food - Reigate Business Guild
6.30pm Fireworks Priory Park

BANSTEAD
4pm Christmas lights turned on in Banstead High Street

The worlds largest free  business accelerator for early stage or growing businesses is recruiting for its latest intake in Brighton. Their aim is to develop entrepreneurs who have a #GoDo attitude with a solid grasp of how to create value, which makes them investable. With mentors, ambassadors and supporters, workshops, pitch practice and a full time ‘entrepreneurial enabler’ the focus is on the individual.

Applications are still open but the oversubscribed accelerator always fills up fast don't miss out. Find out more

Next intake
Applications for our February 2016 intake are now open!

Key dates
Bootcamp – Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 February 2016 (9-5pm)
Hatchery start date – Wednesday 10 February 2016
Fortnightly Wednesday events – starting on the 17 February 2016 (5-7pm)
Acceler-8® – Wednesday 13 April 2016 (Full day event)