Creating Vibrant Start-Up

Transcription

1 Creating Vibrant Start-Up Communities The Enterprise Foundation helps third sector organisations and those seeking to launch or develop their own businesses by providing affordable, flexible office space in a vibrant, sustainable and supportive environment. enterprisefoundation.net Registered Charity number

2 A message from the Chief Executive Officer: There are over five million small businesses in the UK producing a quarter of the country s Gross Domestic Product and employing over a third of the private sector workforce. 96% of all businesses employ less than 10 staff and these generate more jobs than the rest of the economy most of which is contracting. However, a third of all start-ups fail in their first three years, mostly in their first 12 months. 95% begin in the often isolated environment of the home, many are not advised or counselled and the majority do not receive relevant business training. Recently there has been increased recognition at a national government level of the importance of start-ups and micro-enterprises (businesses with less than 10 people). In 2012 David Cameron referred to small businesses and entrepreneurs as the lifeblood of the British economy and vowed to work with the private sector to do everything to help businesses start and grow. However, the reality of entrepreneurship in the UK is that many individuals are finding it harder to launch and sustain a business and receive appropriate finance to help achieve this. This is especially true for many people who do not have the knowledge of what is available or the personal financial backing. In addition, while the government has recognised the need for affordable managed offices for start-up businesses, in many cases unless you have appropriate collateral this is not accessible. It is for this reason that the Enterprise Foundation was established; a registered charity whose purpose is to help those in society who are at a disadvantage when it comes to setting up and developing their own business. The Enterprise Foundation provides affordable, flexible office space and the necessary infrastructure, training, coaching and mentoring for such individuals to improve the odds of establishing and sustaining a profitable, ethical and successful business. Although we launched in our current form in 2013, the Enterprise Foundation was originally incorporated in July The original vision of helping people to create employment, not just for themselves but also for others, has stayed the same and is now more pertinent than ever and we are excited to be making a difference to both people s lives but also to wider society. We now have new Enterprise Centres opening their doors across the country and our vision is to have at least one Centre in each major city and town in the UK. Keith Powney Chief Executive Officer The Enterprise Foundation 2

3 WHO ARE WE? The Enterprise Foundation helps third sector organisations and those seeking to launch or develop their own businesses by providing affordable, flexible office space in a vibrant, sustainable and supportive environment. KEY FEATURES An Alternative to Isolation The Home can be an isolating place to run a business from, as the majority of new start-ups find out each year. Our Centres are designed to offer new businesses a creative and collaborative atmosphere from which to grow. Grants Available We offer Enterprise Grants in the form of subsidised rent to help your business when it s at its most fragile. No Hidden Charges All costs are upfront and we are completely transparent with the services we provide, and the few we don t. Easy-in, Easy-out Agreements We won t tie you in to long-lasting agreements like some commercial office providers, meaning you can protect your vital cash flow. Prime Nationwide Locations We have secured property in a number of locations across the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Chatham, Glasgow, Kent, Leeds and more. Free Meeting Rooms In each location we have set aside dedicated meeting space and board rooms which are available to hire at no additional cost to our members. Communal breakout areas will also be available, featuring free Wi-Fi. On-site Mentor Each of our Enterprise Centres around the UK is run by a former business leader who will be able to provide practical assistance as well as being your first point of call for anything Centre-related. Regular Events & Workshops We will running regular, relevant networking events, skills workshops and more which all members will be welcome to attend. 3

4 WHat We Do Many businesses which might well succeed in the long term, fail in the first year. The Enterprise Foundation aims to prevent this through training, mentoring and support all from our Enterprise Centres across the UK. We hope to see our members go from start-up to survival and eventually to long-term success by relieving some of the burden of overheads until the business can pay its own way at market levels. We do this by providing flexible, low cost business accommodation within a vibrant, sustainable and supportive environment in each of our Enterprise Centres located around the UK. Flexibility is proven through our service agreements, which reflect your real world needs. We don t tie our members in to punitive contracts and offer an easyin, easy-out agreement where we require just one month s notice. 4

5 In terms of our space offering, we don t have the hidden charges and add-ons that many of our competitors in the private sector do. What we DO provide is a wealth of amenities upfront including 24hr security, phone-answering service, Wi-Fi access, kitchen facilities (including an important coffee allowance) and printing facilities. allcentres have been designed from the outset to provide a creative and collaborative atmosphere for new businesses to establish themselves, reduce their overheads and develop their income streams. But what really sets us apart is the fact that each of our In addition, for new start-ups we can provide non-secured Enterprise Grants which will assist with rent payments during their first year of operation in Enterprise Foundation workspace. As well as the subsidised rent on offer, free workshops, training and mentoring will be made available to those eligible start-ups. We achieve this by renting space to established third sector organisations as well as using funds derived from a variety of sources including: social enterprise activities, the patronage of the Cook Foundation, European Community Social Funds, local and national government as well as other organisations which support our charitable objectives. 5

6 OUR CENTRES Usually, obtaining business premises means entering into a lease agreement, which can be a burdensome commitment, or paying more for a monthly license. Rent, rates, service charges, insurance and other overheads can be a drain on a fragile cash flow while the business is most vulnerable. The grants and support that we offer enable new start-ups to grow and flourish in a safe, productive environment. The Enterprise Foundation has unique relationships with its landlords throughout the UK which enables us to negotiate an initial rent-free period ourselves, allowing us to pay for the refurbishment and setup costs in each Centre, which in turn enables us to offer the best price to our members. In each location, the Enterprise Foundation works in co-operation and partnership with all major stakeholder groups. These typically include the County Council, Local Authority, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), other groups and agencies that are focussed on supporting enterprise and developing new start-ups. Each one of our centres is run by a former business leader who understands what it is to start and develop a business. Finally at all our Centres we encourage ethical business practises amongst all our members. This includes utilising ethical and Corporate Social Responsibility principles within a business context, respecting staff, suppliers and customers, paying taxes when due, paying workers a fair wage, and allocating a proportion of generated profits to benefit the wider community. Below you ll find a selection of the wide range of services that our Enterprise Centres offers to its members: Enterprise grants Enterprise training On-site lectures Business mentors and coaching support Bookable meeting rooms Reception and secretarial services IT, fax and photocopying services Boardrooms, break-out areas (for networking) and catering facilities Furniture for rent Banking, legal and accountancy introductions (with discounts) 6

7 GET IN TOUCH If you are interested in renting space or applying for our Enterprise Grant scheme, please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you. enterprisefoundation.net

8 Unit 4 Priory Park, Mills Road Aylesford ME20 7PP t: enterprisefoundation.net Registered Charity number The Enterprise Foundation is a registered charity in England & Wales. Registered at Unit 4 Priory Park, Mills Road, Aylesford ME20 7PP. Company number