West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) in collaboration with the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire (BIPC), have announced the thirteen winners of the second round of start-up grants through the Build Your Business programme.
This initiative, supported by £600,000 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) over two years, aims to empower small businesses, local entrepreneurs, and aspiring business owners across the county.
The Build Your Business programme consists of five comprehensive modules covering key areas of running a business. These modules, delivered by specialist partners, include marketing, business growth, financial planning and personal development for business owners. Additionally, the programme offers 1-2-1s, workshops, mentoring, and access to specialist business databases.
Eligible entrepreneurs participating in the programme can apply for a £2,000 start-up grant by submitting a competitive business plan, leveraging the knowledge gained through the programme. Successful applicants not only receive this crucial financial boost but also benefit from continued support from the experienced BIPC Northamptonshire team.
The successful grant winners of the second round of grants are:
- Ami & Martin – Whatsup Training
- Clare & Yvette – Believe & Achieve Business Academy
- Douglas – Carduan Ltd
- Esme – Esme Abbott Hair Design
- Nam & Darren – Tara Beauty Therapy
- Heidi – Hartbeeps Kettering
- Kate – Daventry Wellness & Sports C.I.C
- Laura – Laura’s Seating Solutions
- Owen – The Ethical Car Wash Company
- Sheila – Take My Lead
- Stuart – Medi8 Therapy
- Susan – The Regent Street Cattery Limited
- Sophia – So Clean (Simply Organic Home Cleaning)
Ami and Martin, owners of WHATSUP Training based in Thrapston, said: “Accessing the resources and training seminars provided by BIPC has been invaluable for our new small business. From excellent marketing and financial management courses to personalised one-on-one support and use of the in-library Grant Finder database, we have been able to chart the course for our company’s growth confidently.
“The business planning documents and the guidance received during the BIPC training sessions helped crystallise our ideas and set clear short, medium, and long-term goals for our company. Securing the small business grant has allowed us to significantly expand our capacity, allowing us to serve more customers and accelerate our growth. This funding has enabled us to enhance our services and reallocate resources to other crucial areas of our business, ensuring a stronger foundation for future success.”
Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure, West Northamptonshire Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the Build Your Business Programme has had on local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Northamptonshire. The programme has provided vital support and resources to help our innovative businesses grow and thrive.
“Congratulations to all the grant recipients of this second round. Their achievements underscore the importance of fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy. We look forward to continuing this momentum and seeing even more success stories emerge from the programme.”
Building on the success of the first two rounds of the Build Your Business programme, BIPC Northamptonshire has announced a third round, offering aspiring local entrepreneurs with businesses under one year old the opportunity to apply for start-up grants of up to £2,000 to help towards business-associated costs.
Cllr David Brackenbury, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “Small businesses and local entrepreneurs are essential to local economies across the country as well as closer to home. The last couple of years have been particularly tough for businesses and we are always working to support them in any way we can.
“With this in mind, schemes like the Build Your Business Programme make such a difference and I wish all the grant recipients the best of luck in their future endeavours.”
