Access fully-funded business advice and skills training to help your Wiltshire-based start-up thrive
Running a start up can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our wrap-around Start Up Programme offers one-to-one business advice, skills training and grants for entrepreneurs in the Wiltshire Council local authority area, giving you the tools, confidence, and connections to make your business dreams a reality.
Whether you’re at the idea stage, recently launched, or looking to grow, our wrap-around support includes:
One-to-one business advice: Get tailored guidance from experienced business advisors who understand the challenges of starting a new venture.
Skills training: Participate in expert-led workshops covering essential topics like marketing, finance, sales, and business planning.
As part of the support on offer, you’ll also become part of a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs, gaining valuable opportunities to network, share experiences, and collaborate.
So, what’s on offer?
Short Courses
If you’re looking for bitesized, digestible content that still packs a punch, explore our short courses. Focused on the foundations of business and business planning, these sessions can be undertaken online or in person in as little as two working days.
Foundations of Business
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You’ll explore your aspirations, strengths, and areas for growth while assessing market opportunities and aligning your skills with demand. Gain realistic insights into the challenges and rewards of being your own boss, along with practical knowledge on startup costs, funding options, and financial planning.
You’ll also build a supportive network and develop decision-making skills to confidently take your next steps.
Upcoming sessions:
Currently there are no upcoming sessions
Business Planning Workshops
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Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner, this workshop will guide you in building a comprehensive business plan to turn your vision into reality.
You’ll learn about the essential sections of a business plan, from outlining your goals and target market to crafting financial projections, and receive practical templates and resources to start drafting your plan.
You’ll also share your progress with the group to gain constructive feedback that will help you refine your business plan and ensure that it’s polished, perfected and ready to implement.
As a bonus, participants intending to use their business plan to apply for funding, grants, or loans will have the opportunity to book a one-to-one session with a business advisor for personalised advice and support.
Toolkit Series
Take your lunch break to the next level with our new Lunchtime Toolkit Series - a practical, no-pressure way to learn valuable skills in just 60–90 minutes.
AI for Grants - find, write & win with confidence
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Join Blue O'Connor from LSE for a relaxed and supportive lunchtime. You’ll discover how AI tools can simplify your grant application process, saving you time, reducing stress, and boosting your chances of success.
What you'll learn:
In this hands-on session, Blue will guide you through real-life examples of how AI tools can help you:
Discover how tools like ChatGPT can help you identify the most relevant grants in a fraction of the time you’d spend searching manually.
Say goodbye to writer’s block! Learn how to use ChatGPT to structure your ideas and how to ground your proposals in rigorous research using SciSpace.
Need a polished pitch deck or presentation? Master Gamma, a powerful tool for creating professional and visually engaging presentations in minutes.
Why attend?
We understand that AI can feel daunting if you're unsure where to start, and writing grant applications might feel overwhelming. That’s why this session is designed to:
Build your confidence in using AI tools effectively.
Simplify the process of grant hunting and writing so you can focus on what truly matters.
Provide step-by-step, actionable techniques to save time and maximise your success rate
Who is this session for?
This workshop is perfect for anyone who finds writing grant applications daunting or time-consuming, individuals or organisations eager to simplify the grant process and achieve more in less time, or curious minds interested in getting started with AI tools but unsure where to begin.
Upcoming sessions:
There are currently no upcoming sessions.
Selling made simple
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Join Dave Kavanagh, Sales Geek, for an inclusive and friendly lunchtime workshop where he’ll demystify sales and show you how simple, effective approaches can make all the difference.
Whether you’re just getting started, growing your business, working in an organisation, or just curious about how to build better relationships, this session is for you.
What you’ll learn:
Why selling matters (and isn’t as scary as it sounds)
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it – Learn how to communicate naturally and effectively.
Identify what ‘it’ is – Discover how to understand and address your audience’s real needs.
Opening conversations – Find simple ways to grab attention and spark meaningful discussions.
Master active listening to uncover insights and opportunities.
Creating lasting connections that drive growth.
Why attend?
This is a welcoming, no-pressure session designed for anyone who finds sales daunting or unfamiliar. You’ll gain:
Practical, easy-to-follow tips to simplify selling and make it approachable.
Confidence in connecting with potential clients and building relationships.
Skills that are useful beyond sales, in both life and work.
Whether you’re new to sales or looking to grow your confidence, this workshop will show you how to make selling feel natural and even enjoyable
Who is this session for?
This workshop is perfect for you if you:
Want to grow a business or organisation but feel unsure about attracting clients
Find the idea of “sales” intimidating and need a friendly, supportive space to learn.
Are based in a location covered by Wiltshire Council.
Upcoming sessions:
There are currently no upcoming sessions.
Demystifying SEO
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Led by Jenny Claxton from Redspark Digital, you’ll walk away with practical, jargon-free strategies that you can implement immediately.
What you’ll learn:
What SEO actually is (and isn’t)
How search engines rank websites
Easy wins for beginners - technical SEO basics
How to use keywords effectively
Why search intent matters
Build your own SEO strategy - Step by step
When and how to hire an SEO professional
Upcoming sessions:
There are currently no upcoming sessions.
Understand and Unlock the Power of Your Brand
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This interactive lunch-and-learn session will help you uncover your brand’s identity and the steps you’ll need to take next to bring it to life.
This session is perfect for start-ups looking to establish a brand identify, nonprofits wanting to communicate their mission clearly and build trust with partners, and entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to refine or craft a brand that truly resonates.
Upcoming sessions:
There are currently no upcoming sessions.
How to Use AI to Save Time and Money
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This session will help you discover:
Fresh perspectives on human-AI collaboration
Inspiration for simplifying creative processes
Ideas for new service offerings and client engagement models
Real-world examples of successful AI implementation in creative contexts
Common pitfalls to avoid during AI adoption
Concrete steps for beginning or accelerating your AI journey
Why Attend This Session?
You want to know about how AI can help you and your organisation
You want to learn how to use AI, or use it better
You want to increase your knowledge of AI
You want to stay competitive in an increasingly automated world
Upcoming sessions:
Tuesday 25 February, 12:30 – 13:30, online Register
Creating Stunning Designs with Canva
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This session will help you discover:
How professional visuals can enhance your brand and engagement
A tour of Canva’s features, from templates to the drag-and-drop editor
How to leverage Canva’s ready-made templates for social media, posters, presentations, and more
Use Canva’s team collaboration features to streamline feedback and editing
Create short videos, animations, and dynamic presentations with Canva’s advanced features
This session is ideal for startups and nonprofits wanting to produce great presentations, marketing and graphics.
Upcoming sessions:
Wednesday 26 February, 12:30 – 13:30, online Register
Marketing Without a Budget
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Why Attend This Session?
Learn how to market without spending money—using creativity, collaboration, and community.
Discover how to maximise social media and leverage your network for greater reach.
Understand why starting without a budget can be the best way to define and refine your marketing strategy.
Take away real-world, actionable ideas to implement straight away.
Join us to learn how to create meaningful content and grow your brand.
This session is ideal for startups and nonprofits wanting to delve into the world of marketing, but who don't have big budgets to play with.
Upcoming sessions:
Wednesday 27 February, 12:30 – 14:00, online Register
Meet the Mentors
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Aimeé actively supports the growth of start-ups within the South West, providing design, oversight and delivery of regional funding and business support programmes. Aimeé has led high-impact initiatives, including >£4m of programmes, such as Scale-up 4 Growth Gloucestershire, the WoE Digital Innovation Fund and START.
Recognised in the top 100 innovators in the South West, winner of the 2023 Business Mentor/Advisor award, and a qualified leadership coach, Aimeé has worked with more than 130 founders as they build their businesses.
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Paula is a wordsmith, and an active member of the Wiltshire business community, hosting her own network in Chippenham and being a key member of many more.
She was a member of the Wiltshire Growth Hub team, hosting their webinar series and supporting our business community.
She loves making connections, helping people with their business challenges and being a part of their journey.
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Charly Patrick is Chief Operations Officer at techSPARK, our not for profit regional tech community.
She previously delivered the highly regarded NatWest Accelerator Programme.
She's worked with and for start-ups through her career and likes to get into the details, working out the finances and interrogating the business plan.
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Lucy has been supporting people on their founder journeys for the last twelve years, initially in Sussex before moving back to the West Country.
She delivered the Wiltshire based Innovation for Growth fund for the University of the West of England, as well as heading up techSPARK Swindon & Wiltshire, and being a part of the innovation support team at the University of Bath.
Her focus is around customers, sales, and the why of every idea - to make sure we create ventures with impact.
“I now feel that I have the tools and support to successfully build my business into something greater than I ever dreamed it could be.”
– Past participant
“I really feel that this course has been invaluable to me in starting up my business and giving me the confidence to know where to start and succeed. You have a great team and the ladies were so lovely and friendly. I am so grateful I did this course - Thank you!”
– Past participant
“This was such a fantastic course, Lucy and Charly were brilliant at getting everyone included and comfortable to share and support each other.”
– Past participant
This programme is funded by Wiltshire Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is being delivered by the University of Bath, The Future Smiths, and TechSPARK.