glide

GLIDE - Entrepreneurs Programme

GLIDE - Entrepreneurs Programme

ERDF and HMC logos
 

Got creative skills to pay the bills?

Ever thought of starting your own business?

Now is a great time – the rules are being re-written.

You might be thinking I’m a creative! I wouldn’t know where to begin when it comes to business. Keep reading.

GLIDE Entrepreneurs Programme logo

GLIDE for creatives who want to start a business

GLIDE is a European Regional Development Funded Bootcamp for creative entrepreneurs is a week of free, online specialist workshops. It will give you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of starting your own business, from concept to company to brand growth.

The programme has been designed by creatives for creatives. The content is relevant and realistic.

 

Who is it for?

Anyone aged 16 or above with an interest in turning their creativity into a living.

Perhaps you are:

  • studying at college or uni, or a recent graduate considering your next steps
  • not in employment and would like a career that fits around your needs and commitments
  • employed but considering a side hustle

You will need to:

  • be available from 6-10 December (9am-1:30pm) and able to commit to 12hrs of workshops
  • fill out a registration form prior to booking your place
  • have the legal right to work or study in the UK

 

What will I learn about?

Monday 6 December 09:00 – 13:30

  • Introduction to the day and programme
  • Pitch It Right – A workshop to help with communicating what your business offers and what problems you are solving for customers
  • Price with Confidence – Good pricing means being competitive while making the profit you need. This workshop will help you make sense of pricing structures

 

Tuesday 7 December 09:00 – 13:30
  • Introduction to the day. Recap and Q&A from the day before.
  • Your Perfect Customer – This workshop helps you look at who is, and isn’t, buying from you and why.
  • Tools for the Job – In many ways, your suppliers are as important to you as your customers. This workshop shows you how to identify the equipment, technology and expertise you need to drive your business forwards.

 

Wednesday 8 December 09:00 – 13:30

  • Introduction to the day. Recap and Q&A from the day before.
  • Standing Out in a Crowd – This workshop will cover key elements of brand identity, creating and communicating your value proposition, and how to effectively communicate your brand story to your audience.
  • Developing Online Audiences – Come and hear from Jody Raynsford, an acclaimed copywriter who knows how to create simple and compelling messages online.

 

Thursday 9 December 09:00 – 13:30

  • Introduction to the day. Recap and Q&A from the day before.
  • Fine-tune Your Business Plan – This workshop is aimed to help potential business owners focus on some of the most impactful elements of their business plan.
  • Confidence with Data – This session has been designed to take the ‘fear of the unknown’ away – to give you the confidence to know what data you have and know if / how and when you might use it.

 

Friday 10 December 09:00 – 13:30

  • Introduction to the day. Recap and Q&A from the day before.
  • The first three years: what to expect when growing your business – When you’re establishing your business, you rarely have time to take a step back, review your progress and think about where you’re heading. This workshop looks at the first three years of running a creative business, with guidance, tips and exploration of the risks/opportunities

Grant Opportunities

If you decide to launch your business and fulfil your dream of working for yourself, GLIDE also offers the opportunity to receive a £1,000 - £2,000 grant. The grant will be matched on a two thirds to one third basis. This means that for every £2 you invest in your own business, the programme will add £1. (Grants will be allocated based on an application and assessment basis. Terms and conditions apply.)

This programme is free of charge for any eligible participants. Please see below for eligibility criteria below.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Your business is not yet incorporated.
  • You have the legal right to work or study in the UK for the next six months
  • Unfortunately, undergraduate students are not eligible.

Funding Authority

The project is receiving up to £531,893 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

For more information visit the European Growth Funding website.

ERDF and HMC logos