New Cohort for Chamber Start-Up Academy

The second cohort of a successful development programme designed to boost start-ups and small businesses has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Applications are now open, until 24 August and the second cohorts starts in September 23 to March 24.

The first Academy, aimed at supporting the growth of start-ups and small businesses by providing workshops, support and access to Greater Birmingham business experts from key sectors, was launched in March.

The programme, which features six half-day sessions at Birmingham City University 's STEAMhouse, included insights to help small businesses save time and money while business owners graduating from the Academy had the chance to be selected for a two-hour one to one mentoring session with one of the experts.

Sessions included business planning and growth, productivity and processes, closing sales with ease, financial forecasting and cashflow, people management and mindset and marketing strategies. Amina Hussain from SME Outsourcing will return to conduct the session on finance.

The first Academy initiative was declared such a success that a second cohort is now planned, targeting start-ups and small businesses looking to create a robust structure for growth within a supportive peer group.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “At the Chamber, we want to use our network to connect our small business members to the highest quality advice, insight and support to help them on their journeys.

“Our Start-Up and Small Business Academy ensures our members have free access to the expertise that can help them develop their businesses. ”

The success of the first cohort was warmly praised by several participants. Karnbir Athwal of Desicity - which describes itself as the Asian Amazon - said: “Learning within a group has been great. Different minds have different questions enabling me to think from a different perspective and I 've gained a better appreciation for the importance of networking in business. ”

Anita Ellis, Director of Lexicomm Ltd, said: “The Chamber Academy is really helping me focus on how to streamline and grow my business. It 's such a great opportunity to meet so many like-minded business owners too. ”

And Sally Dhillon of nudgeforward.co.uk, said: “The Small Business Academy is helping me to raise my profile, gain greater commercial confidence and be part of a supportive community at a similar stage of growth. ”

Meanwhile, Anthony Tattum of Birmingham-based Leopard Co Marketing Agency - one of the speakers lined up for the second cohort - said: “The SME Academy is a brilliant programme that attracts businesses from across the region. I 'm so pleased to be invited to present the marketing planning module, which sits so well with the other parts of the programme to provide a proper grounding for high growth. ”

He said the marketing module represented a “perfect fit ” between the finance and operational modules. “The delegates on the programme are open, engaged and highly knowledgeable about the businesses and categories/sectors. ”

Jayne Hume, Relationship Manager at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Following the success of the first cohort, we are now taking applications for the second cohort which will start in September and run through to March 2024.

“Applications are now open and will close on August 24. To apply for a place on the academy please email [email protected]. ”