Ambitious Essex Enhanced Mentoring Programme
Overview
The Enhanced Mentoring Programme provides targeted, practical support to SMEs across Essex who are looking to grow, scale or overcome specific business challenges.
Through the programme, businesses can access 6–12 hours of fully funded, one-to-one mentoring with an experienced business expert. Each mentoring journey is tailored to the individual needs of the business, ensuring support is relevant, focused and outcome-driven.
Mentors work closely with businesses to identify key challenges and opportunities, providing guidance in areas such as sales, marketing, finance, operations and growth strategy. The programme is particularly valuable for businesses that are ready to take the next step but need clarity, direction and expert input to move forward with confidence.
The aim of the programme is to help businesses develop a clear, realistic plan for future growth and scale-up, equipping them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to achieve sustainable success. After an initial triage, you will be matched up with a relevant mentor and start working on clear, actionable next steps.
Mentoring can support businesses in areas such as: Marketing and attracting customers, Using AI and digital tools, Improving cash flow and financial management, Product or service development, Team management, and much more!
Sign up at this link: Ambitious Essex Mentoring Programme Launch - Ambitious Essex
South East Creative Economy Network: South East Creative Economy Network new homepage - SECEN
What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Government | www.gov.uk/set-up-business |
| Business Support Service | www.gov.uk/get-business-support |
| Help to Grow programme | www.helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
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Castle Point Borough Council We have a number of business services to support businesses |
business@castlepoint.gov.uk 01268 882492 |
| Essex County Council | Start or Grow Your Business | Essex County Council |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
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Ambitious Essex Growth Hub Access bespoke business support in your local area: grant funding, business skills workshops, specialist advice, alternative funding options, apprenticeships and more. |
Ambitious Essex |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Register on the Government’s Contracts Finder portal, to search for information and contract opportunities for contracts over £12,000 | www.gov.uk/contracts-finder |
| For Essex County Council contract opportunities | www.essex.gov.uk/information-suppliers/find-and-bid-contract |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| British Business Bank | www.british-business-bank.co.uk |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Essex Apprenticeship Hub- support to help your organisation take on an apprentice | www.essexopportunities.co.uk/apprenticeship-hub/apprenticeship-hub/ |
| Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service | www.essexalts.co.uk |
| T-Levels | www.employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Create South East | www.createsoutheast.org.uk |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Funding is available for innovative businesses, through the Governments Innovate UK | Innovate UK |
| Knowledge Transfer Partnership | Knowledge Transfer Partnership | Innovate UK |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Unltd | www.unltd.org.uk |
| School for Social Entrepreneurs | www.the-sse.org |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
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Federation of Small Businesses The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are experts in business, offering their members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Their aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. |
Tel: 0808 20 20 888 www.fsb.org.uk |
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COLBEA Colchester Business Enterprise Agency have been offering advice and training to businesses in Colchester for 37 years and they are now extending these services to other parts of Essex. Initially it will be in the form of fully funded, one hour, One to One business advice sessions online, where a fully qualified business adviser will be able to answer your questions. |
Tel: 01206 548833 |
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Essex Chamber of Commerce Essex Chambers of Commerce, the home of business right across the county helping businesses from SME’s through to national and international companies to succeed. Focusing on three essentials to help your business grow:- International Trade, Business Support and Campaigning. |
Tel: 01702 560 100 www.essexchambers.co.uk |
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Enterprise Nation Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support. |
Tel: 020 3871 2922 www.enterprisenation.com |
| Provider | Contact Details |
|---|---|
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Digital Essex Digital Essex aims to boost digital connectivity, champion digital inclusion and drive the digital economy by working with partners to run projects that support communities across the county. |
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Working Well Working Well is commissioned by Essex County Council and offers small, medium and large organisations holistic health and wellbeing support. The programme has been relaunched in July 2020 to support your business during COVID and the EU transition. Our Working Well programme includes free and discounted online training, and you can choose the offer that best suits your organisation’s needs. This service is commissioned by Essex County Council |
www.essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/workplace |
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Innovation Centre Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway is the bold new office space for innovative and technology-focussed business. |
Tel: 01206 405 500 www.innovationcentre-kg.co.uk |
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Small Business Commissioner The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body appointed by the government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and poor payment practice in the private sector of the UK. The SBC can assist small businesses by checking contracts and providing advice on getting invoices right. The SBC operates a complaints scheme where small businesses can present their complaints in writing about payment issues they are experiencing with larger businesses. We are an impartial and free service. |
Tel: 0121 695 7700 www.smallbusinesscommisioner.gov.uk |