Free business support for social enterprises and charities across Cambridgeshire
August 10, 2023
Allia is a social enterprise that helps start-ups, ventures and enterprises to grow and achieve their impact aims, through workspace, support and finance. Its Future Business Centres provide workspace and community; its support programmes help entrepreneurs and founders to grow their ventures; and its social finance team advise and arranges finance for charities and responsible organisations.
Since 1999, with initiatives across the UK that include housing, cleantech and social innovation, it has helped hundreds of start-ups, small businesses and impact ventures to develop, scale & raise finance, enabling significant regional employment opportunities, transforming communities and creating positive impact for people, place and planet.
Later in the summer, our team at Allia are launching 2 new programmes (Start Your Business and Grow Your Business) for Cambridgeshire social enterprises – specifically for those social entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business, or for more established social enterprises wanting to grow.
By joining one of Allia’s programmes, social entrepreneurs will grow their network, identify key opportunities to level up their social enterprise, and build a roadmap for their own definition of success.
Each person’s journey is unique and will have different requirements, Allia is pleased to be able to provide personalised support as part of our programme and our coaches will spend time with you to ensure that your specific issues are heard and worked on.
All of our programmes are fully funded, so free for you to access! Open to all social enterprises, charities and impact organisations in Cambridgeshire, including Cambridge, Peterborough, Huntingdon, Ely, Wisbech, March, St. Neots and St. Ives.
Choose which programme is right for you below or get in touch at hello@alliaimpact.co.uk to talk to a member of the venture support team.
Start Your Business programme for aspiring entrepreneurs
Thinking of starting a business to help create a positive impact?
Our 2-month programme will help you understand the basics of building a business and provide you with the tools you need to get set up for success. Dedicated to aspiring social entrepreneurs looking to start their own social enterprise, charity or impact organisation. Our team will support you through:
• Expert workshops, from validating your idea to sales strategy and funding
• 1-1 support tailored to you
• Network with like-minded people
• Alumni benefits including exclusive discounts and free co-working days
Applications close 4 September. Apply here: https://bit.ly/StartBizCambs
“I think Allia’s programmes are a great chance for a social enterprise to take their business to the next level – making a commitment to join a programme means you benefit from focusing on your purpose and growth in a supportive environment and I think this can only be a good thing. As an entrepreneur, you also need to bounce ideas around and hear the experience of others to help shape your business, so Allia’s programme is a great way to get expert support whilst having a friendly community giving you encouragement but also challenges your thinking (we all need that!)” – Jane Thompson, Membership and Marketing Manager at Social Enterprise East of England
Grow Your Business Programme for social enterprises, charities and impact organisations
Are you a business owner looking to scale and increase your social impact?
Applications are open for our Grow Your Business programme, exclusive to social enterprises, charities and impact organisations in Cambridgeshire. Join a cohort of like-minded business owners for 3 months of dedicated support with:
• Expert workshops, from marketing and HR to sales and financing
• Support & mentorship tailored to your organisation
• Network with other small business owners in your area
• Alumni benefits including exclusive discounts and free co-working opportunities
Applications close 28 August. Apply here: https://bit.ly/GrowCambs
What is a social enterprise?
Social enterprises are businesses that trade in order to tackle the major challenges we face in society. They make their money from selling goods and services in the open market but reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community.
Many not only create jobs and pay taxes like any other business, but they also seek to create social and public benefit, in their communities, often supporting some of society’s most vulnerable groups.
Need more information? Please contact us at hello@alliaimpact.co.uk
Part-funded by Cambridge City Council Grants and The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.