Growth Ladder
Businesses aged 2-5 years based in Staffordshire can apply for FREE support with an experienced Business Growth Consultant.
This programme has been designed to help businesses create their own bespoke action plan for their growth journey and to help them thrive.
Spaces are limited.
Growth Ladder - Staffordshire County Council
Achieve and Grow
Designed specifically for business over five years with more than two employees who wish to take the next step of growth.
Achieve and Grow provides fully funded limited hours of support as follows:
- Up to four hours of digital marketing consultation/support on a range of topics from social media to SEO
- Up to five hours of support in areas such as contracts of employment, recruitment processes or HR policies
- Up to four hours of support in areas such as updates and improvements to a current website and general marketing
For further information, please contact chloe.kelly@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Made Smarter
Manufacturing and engineering SMEs in the West Midlands can access tailored support through this programme, helping them adopt new digital technologies to boost productivity and efficiency.
The scheme offers specialist advice, a personalised digital action plan, and up to 50% match funding (up to £20,000) for equipment or expert support. It also includes Digital Transformation Workshops and an exclusive Leadership Development Course.
Designed to accelerate digital adoption, Made Smarter connects businesses with experts who can help them modernise operations, strengthen competitiveness, and plan long term digital transformation.
Boosting manufacturing in the West Midlands - Made Smarter
Business Academy
Learn how to sell your products and services to the world. Exporting can help you grow your business by finding new customers and increasing your sales.
Business Academy - Free events and training
Green Skills Training
Free Green Skills Training, including Accredited Carbon Literacy Training are available to Stafford based businesses.
Green Skills Training - Staffordshire Business and Environment Network
Energy Assessments
Fully subsidised energy assessments are available to profit seeking limited companies based in Staffordshire, that have been based at the same trading premises for at least 12 months.
Participating businesses will be provided with recommendations to save money and reduce their carbon emissions.
Green Solutions: Energy Assessments - Staffordshire Business and Environment Network
One2Three Club
A business networking opportunity to take advantage of business opportunities across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire. For start up businesses formed within the last three years or those wishing to start up - One2Three Club (my.staffordshirechambers.co.uk)
Staffordshire County Council Enterprise Centres
The County Council has a number of units to let in Stafford as part of its overall strategy of regeneration and economic development.
These are available to let on flexible, monthly 'easy-in', 'easy-out' licences - Staffordshire County Council Enterprise Centres (staffordshire.gov.uk)
Staffordshire Business and Environmental Network
A free membership group to help businesses achieve long term sustainability and maximise their business opportunities through innovative environmental activity - Staffordshire Business and Environmental Network (sben.co.uk)
The Carbon Tracker
A fully funded online carbon foot printing and reporting tool that enables Staffordshire organisations to measure and monitor carbon emissions from their energy use, fuel use, transport, water consumption and energy generation. Standard recommendations are also provided to help you reduce your carbon emissions - The Carbon Tracker (sben.co.uk)
Creative Lab
Offered by Staffordshire University, this is a platform for ideas and business model generation, scaling up and new product or process design.
It is a workspace that provides access to specialist and collaborative facilities where students, innovative thinkers, start-ups and SMEs can benefit from a digitally enhanced environment and university expertise - Creative Lab (staffs.ac.uk)
Staffordshire University Knowledge Partnerships
KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, the University, and a recently qualified graduate to collaborate on a business opportunity, idea or innovation and supports companies to drive innovation through the development of new digital products, processes and services.
SMEs can claim grant support at 67% towards project costs and for large companies 50% - Staffordshire University Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (staffs.ac.uk)
Staffordshire University Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Specifically for growth orientated businesses with up to 500 employees, the focus of a mKTP is specifically on delivering human-centred and/or technology enabled, strategic change.
Up to 67% funding is available depending on the size of the business - Staffordshire University Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (staffs.ac.uk)
Hatchery and Incubation Office Spaces
Office space of all sizes based in Stafford is available to rent through Staffordshire University. Through this, businesses can gain access to academic expertise, specialist equipment, training courses, business mentors and so much more - Hatchery and Incubation Office Spaces (staffs.ac.uk)
Department of International Trade
Whether you are interested in exporting for the first time, or an experienced exporter, support from the UK Government’s DIT can help your business to grow in new markets - Department of International Trade (stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk)
Help to Grow Management Course
A 90% funded government backed programme designed to help businesses learn new skills, reach more customers and boost profits.
The 12 week programme, delivered by Keele Business School, combines a practical curriculum, with 1:1 support from business mentors, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network. Participating businesses come out with a tailored business growth plan to lead their business to its full potential.
Sessions are offered in a variety of in-person sessions at Keele and online sessions on Teams - Help to Grow - Keele University (keele.ac.uk)
All current cohorts are fully booked. Please contact the Keele Gateway team on gateway@keele.ac.uk to be informed about future cohorts.
Keele University Knowledge Transfer Partnership
This programme is designed to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through better use of knowledge, technology and skills.
A KTP is a three-way project partnership between a business, Keele University and a recently-qualified high-calibre graduate.
Up to 67% of the total KTP budget for SMEs is met by Government funding (for larger companies, this is up to 50%). In certain cases, the KTP may also be eligible for Research and Development tax credits - Keele University Knowledge Transfer Partnership (keele.ac.uk)
Innovate UK
Supports business led innovation in all sectors and technologies.
Innovate UK (ukri.org) help businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.
King's Trust Enterprise Programme
Free of charge support for 18 to 30-year-olds who are interested in setting up their own business.
Through King’s Trust Enterprise Programme young people can receive expert-let workshops, one-to-one support and find out about the opportunities to apply for funding.
Free support to start a business - Enterprise programme (kingstrust.org.uk)
MentorMe Programme
The Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) offer free one-to-one virtual business support sessions for Staffordshire businesses looking to:
- Start a business or in the embryonic stages of your business?
- Keen to identify potential new markets?
- Interested in bid ready for public procurement opportunities?
- Need advice on chasing late payments?
- Seeking general advice and support?
Contact karen.woolley@fsb.org.uk to book a slot.
Kick Off in Business
This is a fully funded, one-week online course available to adults (19+) who are interested in exploring the option of self-employment or starting their own business. Also open to those have already started their business or registered as self-employed
Help to set up a business or become self-employed (kickoffinbusiness.co.uk)
Staffordshire Skills Hub
The Skills Hub provides guidance and support to businesses looking to upskill their staff. A Skills Hub Advisor will undertake a skills review and offer guidance on training available and what will work best for the business independently, as well as having the most up to date information on funding, apprenticeships and levy sharing.
Staffordshire Skills Hub (staffsskillshub.co.uk)
Please read our Privacy Notice regarding how we handle your data.