Fledgling founders and early-stage entrepreneurs from across Suffolk are being urged to take their place in a new ‘hub’ concept where businesses are nurtured to succeed.
A total of 20 spaces are now available at the newly launched Shout About Suffolk Start-Up Lab, in Melton, with every one of the vacant ‘hub seats’ due to be ‘paid for’ by local companies or individuals.
Businesses, meanwhile, are being urged to play their part in the concept, by committing to support an entrepreneur or fledgling business to the tune of £4,800. Formed by successful businessmen Paddy Bishopp, Toby Durrant and Richard Croft, Shout About Suffolk opened its doors in January and has already seen a number of start-up enterprises take up home as part of the company’s fully-mentored ‘Lab’ programme.
The Hub, meanwhile, is run as a social enterprise, and allows up to 20 business owners or start ups to work in an entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative environment, with access to Shout About’s mentoring programme.
Individuals chosen for one of the paid-for bursary seats will receive a 12-month collaboration space in the new-build office, at no cost, as well as group mentoring, access to online learning, a full programme of networking, and the opportunity to progress toward the Lab and its next-stage investment pathway.
Companies providing the first wave of confirmed bursaries, include legal firm Birketts, accountancy practice Ensors, and M7 Real Estate. David Scrivener, from Ensors, said: “As soon as we heard about the intentions of Shout About Suffolk and the delivery plans for the lab, we were keen to find out how we could support incredibly talented and entrepreneurial individuals from across the county.
“We’re delighted to be acting as a bursary provider for one of the spaces, and are pleased that our financial commitment will ensure another business founder will get to receive support and help in building a great company idea, right here in Suffolk.”
Paddy Bishopp, co-founder of Shout About Suffolk, said: “Critical to the success of our business concept, and in particular the social enterprise element of our delivery, is that we are able to provide support to those in the county who would actually struggle to raise the initial funding to be able to benefit from the ongoing collaboration and mentoring.
“By having some fabulous bursary providers on board, which therefore means we can overcome that hurdle for the entrepreneurs, while at the same time engaging those companies in energetic and inspirational mentoring and guidance.”
He said: “I would welcome hearing from companies and individuals from all sectors and backgrounds, who feel they would like to play a pivotal and generous part in the development of a young Suffolk business.”
Shout About Suffolk’s other provision – its Lab – is granting space and one-to-one mentoring to up to eight business founders per year. Those receiving a place are supported through funding, marketing, product development, sales processes, and even more complex business elements around trademarking, franchising, employment structures and more.
To enquire about one of the 20 available places in the Shout About Hub, or to sponsor a place, email sarah@shoutaboutsuffolk.co.uk or call the team on 01473 801 3424.
To stay informed about events and networking plans being developed by the Shout About Suffolk team, register for their newsletter at hello@shoutaboutsuffolk.co.uk.
Photo by Warren Page Pagepix
