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Social Enterprise Boost Fund from Access to Business

Posted on 13 February 202413 February 2024 by Alex Taylor

Access to Business is working with iSE to deliver the West Midlands Social Enterprise Boost Fund in Wolverhampton and Sandwell. This initiative aims to kick start and accelerate social enterprise activity across the region.

The SEB Fund runs until March 2025 and offers a range of grants and targeted business support. Its aim is to help new and existing social enterprises start up, scale up and grow. Organisers will also collect and share evidence on the impact of social enterprises on communities in the local area.

Are you eligible for a Social Enterprise Boost?

You need to be a Wolverhampton or Sandwell resident to apply to the Social Enterprise Boost Fund. You have to be thinking about starting a business, or have an existing business that is less than five years old, with an annual turnover under £250K.

Your business doesn’t have to be officially registered as a community interest company (CIC) for you to apply to the fund. A wide variety of social businesses are eligible.

What does the fund offer?

New social entrepreneurs can attend a series of FUSE Start Up courses over the next two years, plus CIC Start sessions to help you register your new enterprise. Owners of more established businesses can attend a series of social enterprise MOT programmes. These cover topics such as contract readiness, social impact and managing people.

The fund will also provide one-to-one business support and networking, tailored to your specific needs. All recipients of business support will also be able to apply for a range of grant funding, up to a maximum of £10K.

Learn more about the Social Enterprise Boost Fund at the A2B website.

Brum Rocks: Sandwell business event

Misfits Music Foundation is holding a business networking evening at Thimblemill Library on Thursday 21 March. There, you can learn about its Brum Rocks project.

Misfits Music Foundation is a local charity that holds community music activities for wellbeing in Birmingham and Sandwell.

This year, the Misfits team is running a huge project called Brum Rocks. They are holding workshops across Birmingham and Sandwell, for adults who sing or play any instrument. These workshops will culminate in a Rock Extravaganza Finale Event in July 2024, with hundreds of people coming to sing and play together in Birmingham city centre.

To tell local businesses about Brum Rocks, Misfits invites you to a business networking evening on Thursday 21 March (7-9pm). Learn about sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, for an event that is likely to achieve a great deal of media coverage.

Over a glass of wine or soft drink and samosa, you’ll get to see a Brum Rocks workshop in action. This is thanks to members of Misfits’ Bearwood Rock Collective. You will also have time to network with people from other Sandwell-based businesses.

Send a message to rosie@misfitsmusic.org.uk if you’d like to attend. Tell her you heard about this event on the Sandwell Business Growth website.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024: two Sandwell success stories

Posted on 9 February 20249 February 2024 by Marie

For National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we share two stories about successful apprentices in Sandwell: Callum in carpentry and Paige in plastering!

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 takes place between Monday 5 and Sunday 11 February. It’s a chance to celebrate apprentices, their achievements, and the positive impact they make on communities, businesses and the wider economy.

Sandwell Council recommends apprenticeships to local businesses as a way of investing in the future. You can train an employee to have the skills that are exactly right for your industry, in a cost-effective way. In the meantime, you are fostering a culture of development and learning in your workplace.

A social value commitment

So we also recognise apprenticeships as a social value commitment: a way to give back to Sandwell and its people.

Therefore, we have been very glad to hear about the progress of local resident Callum Farmer. Callum started with a trainee multi-trade position with building contractors E Manton, which led to an apprenticeship with Sandwell Council.

E Manton was the principal contractor working to expand the Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick. This is a learning hub run by Sandwell Adult and Family Learning Service (SAFL).

Funded by the Towns Fund, the £360k development added two new specialised digital classrooms to the Ron Davis Centre. It boosted the range of services that SAFL can offer.

The work enabled Callum to invest in tools and start saving for a car. Its varied nature – and further work with E. Manton – also allowed him to decide which area of the building trade suited him best.

Now Callum has gone on to do a carpentry apprenticeship with Sandwell Council’s Neighbourhoods Team. We hear that he is doing very well.

“I wanted to know how to get into a trade”

We’re also glad to hear about Paige, who is doing a three-year plastering apprenticeship.

Paige’s original plan was to work in the beauty industry. She had done a training course in beauty. She was also having one-to-one sessions with a mentor, who was helping her to find courses and look for suitable vacancies. The mentor was from Think Sandwell. This is Sandwell Council’s Employment and Skills Team, which helps local people into work and supports local employers to fill job and skills gaps in their workforce.

Paige’s career path took a change in direction, however, when her mum was having building work done on her home and struggling to find people to carry out work.

“I realised that there was lots of work available and wanted to know how to get into a trade”, said Paige.

Responding to Paige’s change of heart, the Think Sandwell mentor arranged for Paige to do a construction overview course. This included training for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Carrying this card gives proof that an individual working on a construction site has the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out.

Paige got her CSCS card, and along the way, learned that she enjoyed plastering the most.

With support from Think Sandwell, Paige applied for relevant work experience placements. Soon, drywalling specialists DCL offered her an opportunity to work with them on the Windsor Olympus Academy site in Smethwick.

As a result of her strong work experience performance, DCL offered Paige a three-year plastering apprenticeship. She started it in April 2023.

Learning a skilled trade

Scott Joynes is a project manager at DCL. He said: “It’s nice to see younger age groups having an interest in learning a skilled trade. Having Paige on site has been a breath of fresh air, she certainly keeps us all on our toes. I started as an apprentice myself when I was sixteen and it’s great to see the support networks that are in place to support apprentices now.”

John Jacznik, director at DCL, said: “It’s refreshing to have someone with that enthusiasm on site. Her character and spirit will make her into a great asset. The support from Think Sandwell in finding an apprentice and setting up the apprenticeship has been a great example of partnership working”.

Learn more about apprenticeships in Sandwell – and read more social value stories.

’Sales accelerator workshop’: sales training from Business Growth West Midlands

Business Growth West Midlands is offering a free sales accelerator workshop on Tuesday 27 February

This half-day sales accelerator event is for business owners and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands who want to boost their sales skills. It takes place at the TechnoCentre in Coventry. Experienced sales trainers Lindsey Newman-Wood and Iain Wood will be leading it.

The workshop will focus on practical strategies to increase sales. It will also be very interactive with plenty of discussions, case studies and hands-on activities.

Practical and interactive

Attendees can expect to learn lead generation tactics, acquire practical skills, develop sales strategies and network with other Midlands professionals.

Business Growth West Midlands works in collaboration with seven local authorities to help businesses in the region grow and develop. It has links with government, education and the private sector, and offers tailored support to businesses of any size and any sector.

Places are limited, so register now:

We’ve got more ideas for growing your Sandwell business.

‘Access to Finance’: taster session from Oxford Innovation Advice

Oxford Innovation Advice is giving a free interactive taster session for the Access to Finance programme on Thursday 21 March.

The Access to Finance programme offers guidance and support on business finance to West Midlands SMEs. The aim of the scheme is to demystify the world of business finance, enable growth and boost the regional economy.

This taster session is an opportunity to meet the Oxford Innovation Advice team and get an overview of the funding options available to businesses.

It takes place at our very own Sandwell Start-Up Hub here in Oldbury, from 10am to 3pm on Thursday 21 March.

The session will explore:

Debt finance and understanding interest rates
Alternative finance
Grant funding – is it free?
Crowdfunding – reward, social and equity
Angel investment and venture capital – when is it right for you?
The importance of creating a pitch deck or a business plan
Financial forecasting.

You can sign up via Eventbrite, or see other sessions on alternative dates.

Access to Finance programme open for applications

Posted on 1 February 20241 February 2024 by Alex Taylor

The Access to Finance programme offers tailored guidance and support on business finance to West Midlands SMEs.

The aim of the scheme is to demystify the world of business finance, enable growth and boost the regional economy. It is fully funded – the only investment required is time and energy.

Access to Finance covers topics such as:

Loans and overdrafts
Asset finance
Finding and grant applications
Equity
Crowdfunding
Creating forecasts and business planning documents
Pitch decks

Three decades of experience

There are two stages of support available:

Stage 1: Business engagement, information and advice
Stage 2: Mentoring support to develop the investment pitch and financial forecasts

Each stage includes one-to-one support by a dedicated finance specialist.

Oxford Innovation Advice, which delivers the programme, has been supporting entrepreneurs for over 30 years. Access to Finance is part of the Investment Readiness Programme. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Business Growth West Midlands are funding it.

Businesses in all sectors are eligible

To be eligible for support, your business must be based in Birmingham, Solihull or the Black Country. You must also be looking to grow your business, or require finance for your business. SMEs from all sectors are eligible.

There is a f ree, interactive taster session in the Sandwell Start Up Hub on Thursday 21 March. This is an opportunity to meet the team and get an overview of the funding options available to businesses.

Are you interested in joining Access to Finance? Contact the Oxford Innovation Advice team to discuss your support needs further:

Christmas gift appeal: celebrating the generosity of our business community

Posted on 30 January 20241 February 2024 by Marie

Sandwell Council held a breakfast celebration event to thank businesses for donating to a children’s Christmas gift appeal.

On Thursday 18 January, around 45 people attended the morning event at our Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury. Sandwell Council hosted it to say thank you for 300+ gifts donated to Sandwell Children’s Trust’s 2023 Christmas gift appeal.

Recognising that many children and young people would receive few, if any, Christmas presents, Sandwell Council had appealed to partners and local businesses to donate new toys and gifts for Sandwell Children’s Trust to distribute in the borough.

The campaign asked for items suitable for newborn babies and appropriate toys for children of various ages. Also, for older teenagers: fragrance, vouchers, hats or scarves.

Sandwell Council’s partners and business community responded with generosity, donating more than 300 gifts. These organisations included our social value partners: businesses committed to ensuring the work they do in Sandwell has social or environmental benefits that extend beyond the scope of their contracts.

The thoughtful businesses dropped their gifts off in Oldbury by late November. This gave staff at Sandwell Children’s Trust time to wrap and distribute them before Christmas to local children and young people.

‘A business community willing to do more for people’

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. At the breakfast, he presented each participating business with a certificate of thanks.

He said: “It made me very proud to see our colleagues going the extra mile for the borough’s children – and I’m impressed with the businesses who rose to the challenge in supporting this campaign.

Lee Kingston and Councillor Peter Hughes

“Social value is important to Sandwell Council, and this has reinforced my belief that even in tough times we have caring partners and a business community willing to do more for people.”

‘You are all making a massive difference’

Jackie Hodgkins is Communications Manager for Sandwell Children’s Trust. She said at the time: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help put smiles on children and young people’s face this Christmas. Particularly for the vulnerable children in Sandwell who may not get a gift this year without the generosity of those who donate.

“Thanks to everyone for their support and know that you are all making a massive difference to children’s lives.”

People sitting in green chairs at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, clapping

Thank you

Thank you to everyone involved, both at the event and with the Christmas gift appeal. Special thanks to our colleagues from Sandwell Children’s Trust:

Emma Taylor – Chief Executive
Tara Malik – Director of Resources
Steven Gauntley – Director of Operations
Teo Bot – Director of Quality and Performance
Tom Davies – Engagement Manager
Jackie Hodgkins – Communications Manager

And to the generous businesses who both donated to the appeal and attended our event:

Axis Europe Plc
Birmingham, Garage & Industrial Doors Ltd
Bryant Electrical (Midlands) Ltd
Corroy Products
Countryside Partnerships
Doocey Group
Ideal Heating
J McCann & Co Limited
Jays Sourcing Group Ltd
Lift & Engineering Services Ltd
MCP Property Services Ltd
Newey Group
PHC Parts
Sandwell Jobs KPM
Sure Maintenance Ltd
Tricas Construction Ltd
Vinci Facilities
Welch & Phillips Building Contractors Ltd.

Regeneration West Midlands: we’re in the Express & Star

Posted on 25 January 202425 January 2024 by Marie

Check out the Express & Star‘s ‘Regeneration West Midlands’ supplement for January 2024. It contains a lot of information about our support for Sandwell’s businesses.

We have a double-page spread in the 24-page Regeneration West Midlands pull-out from the Express & Star for January 2024. Pages twelve and thirteen outline our extensive support for Sandwell businesses this year, underpinned by our Sandwell Business Growth Plan.

The support includes …

Free use of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub co-working environment for new entrepreneurs and start-ups
Grants (Start Up in Sandwell, Grow in Sandwell and Net Zero in Sandwell)
Learning programmes (Sandwell Enterprise Programme and Sandwell Business Boost)
Help with international trade.

You can read the digital version here.

Net zero workshop in Walsall

Posted on 23 January 202423 January 2024 by Alex Taylor

Head to Walsall Football Club on Tuesday 6 February for a free workshop on how your business can work towards net zero.

The net zero workshop is for Black Country SMEs. It will provide advice and guidance for businesses on energy costs, decarbonisation and energy efficiency. You can also find out about a £35m grant fund for investments that reduce energy use.

Opportunities through carbon emission savings

The Black Country Industrial Cluster hosting the event This is a not-for-profit collaboration of over 3,500 energy-intensive manufacturing businesses across the West Midlands. It aims to reduce industrial carbon emissions in the region by 1.3 mega tonnes over the next ten years. This free net zero workshop is part of that strategy.

Matthew Rhodes [pictured] is director of the Black Country Industrial Cluster. He said: “We will discuss the opportunities the transition to net zero presents for Black Country businesses. We aim to continue to bring inward investment to the region, share best practice with our members, advocate at a local and national level, and provide businesses with access to specialist energy engineering knowledge and support.”

For further information on climate resilience for your business, visit our net zero page.

Free health checks in Sandwell

Posted on 18 January 202418 January 2024 by Kate Christie

This January, Sandwell Council in partnership with Randox Health is helping Sandwell residents get the best possible start to the year by providing diagnostic NHS health checks.

The health checks include testing for diabetes, heart and kidney disease, and hypertension. Sandwell Council and partners will offer them to residents aged between 40 and 74 (who have not previously suffered coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, or kidney disease).

Over the next few weeks those eligible will receive letters inviting them to the twenty-minute NHS health check. Look out for the joint branding from Randox, Healthy Sandwell and the NHS.

The tests and clinics will take place in Sandwell and, if convenient, in Birmingham. At the Birmingham clinic, people can have additional free body composition analysis health checks. GPs will receive the results for review and inclusion on patient medical records.

The testing programme will enable prevention and mitigation through the early identification of serious illnesses. It will also allow lifestyle modification on issues including smoking, alcohol, and weight management.

The partnership between Sandwell Council and Randox Health also includes a limited number of free three-month gym memberships.

Let’s all stay fit and healthy in 2024

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health Councillor Suzanne Hartwell said: “The good health of our residents has always been a priority for the Council. This initiative will have a significant and beneficial impact on the health and longevity of thousands of people living in the area. It will enable those at high risk to take medical and lifestyle steps to prevent illnesses which could, if not detected early, shorten, or change lives.”

David Ferguson is the chief operating officer for Randox Health. David said: “Randox is delighted to be part of this joint initiative with Sandwell Council’s public health team. It has long been our belief that early diagnostic health testing delivers better outcomes for individuals. It relieves the pressure on our NHS by enabling lifestyle change and medical intervention. This, in turn, prevents or mitigates illnesses which would otherwise require intense long-term treatment.”

To check your eligibility and book an appointment visit the Randox website.

FSB small business awards open for entries

Posted on 11 January 202411 January 2024 by Alex Taylor

It’s time to send your entries in to the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024. There are twelve categories, open to all small businesses and self-employed people from anywhere in the UK. There is even a brand new category for 2024 celebrating franchise businesses.

This year, the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) is celebrating 50 years of supporting small businesses in the UK. Winning, or being shortlisted for, one of its prestigious awards is a great way to gain national recognition for your business success.

Sponsored by Tyl by NatWest and others, the awards are free to enter. Finalists get an invitation to a free networking event in March, and a free ticket to the awards ceremony. This takes place at the Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom in Blackpool on Thursday 9 May 2024.

Twelve categories to enter

There are twelve categories in the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards, which means twelve chances for your business to shine. The categories for this year are:

Sustainability award: for ethically, socially responsible and green businesses
Micro Business award: for businesses with 9 or fewer employees
Start-up Business award: for businesses under two years old
Family Business award: for businesses owned and run by at least two family members
Young Entrepreneur award: for people whose business success belies their age
Community award: for businesses that support their local community
Innovation award: for new business models and innovative products
Self-employed and Freelancer award: for people with tenacity and drive
Expansion and Growth award: for businesses with 10 to 250 employees
Diversity and Inclusion award: for putting diversity at the heart of a business or project
Service Excellence award: for first class customer service
Franchise Business award: for a high-performing franchise

Don’t miss this opportunity to get recognition for your work, raise your profile, gain new connections and celebrate your achievements. Get your entry in before the final deadline of Sunday 11 February.

Black Country SEND employment forum

Sandwell Council is holding a SEND employment forum and networking event on Wednesday 28 February.

The inclusive SEND employment forum aims to show employers how they can take practical steps to put disability confidence into action in the workplace. The ways they can do this include supported internships, work experience placements, industry visits and job carving.

SEND: special education needs and disability.

The event is open to:

Employers
Young people with SEND and their parents/ carers
Colleges
Schools
Health, education and social care professionals
Local disability organisations.

The forum aims to help attendees gain the confidence to understand additional needs. It will also reveal the support available in your local area and provide information on how to access funding.

Attendees will hear about the different approaches to supported internships and the perspectives of young people accessing them. They will be able to access training from industry leaders at no cost.

The event also provides the opportunity to contribute to a Black Country action plan that will improve employment opportunities for young people and adults with additional needs.

To reserve your place contact Kate Loftus at Sandwell Council by emailing kate_loftus@sandwell.gov.uk.

For information and support on apprenticeships visit our Apprenticeships in Sandwell page.

Sandwell business support in 2024

Posted on 10 January 202416 January 2024 by Alex Taylor

Big things are happening in Sandwell this year. We’ve got a wide range of business support, guidance, networking and finance for companies both new and established. Here’s what’s going on …

Business support for start-ups

When Sandwell businesses thrive, they create jobs, raise aspirations, boost skills and generate wealth for our local economy. You’re Sandwell’s lifeblood – and so our Sandwell Business Growth Team is here to champion your business at every stage.

The Sandwell Business Growth Plan sets out Sandwell Council’s strategy for supporting businesses over the next two financial years.

In 2024, we’re offering some amazing business support to help your dreams get lift-off.

Sandwell Enterprise Programme

This scheme is for people who are setting up a new business, or who have set one up in the last two years. In collaboration with business consultancy Aspire4U, it offers both group and one-to-one support, and is fully funded by the UK Prosperity Fund.

‘Start Up in Sandwell’ grants

Businesses registered on the Sandwell Enterprise Programme are also eligible to apply for grants of up to £3K. This could help fund equipment, a website, leaflets, producing a new prototype, property refurbishment or improving systems and processes.

Learn about Start Up in Sandwell grants.

Business support for established companies

We’re going through some of the most difficult trading times ever. Our Sandwell business support extends to companies that have been around a while and would like an injection of knowledge, ideas or even finance to achieve their next stage of growth.

Sandwell Business Boost

Business consultancy Winning Moves is working with Sandwell Council to deliver this free programme of tailor-made support to help businesses maximise their growth potential. It is designed to help develop leadership skills and stronger relationships with clients, partners and employees. It is also a chance to build market insight, resilience and sustainability.

‘Grow in Sandwell’ grants

Grants of up to £20K are available for Sandwell SMEs that have been trading for over two years. The money can fund activities such as relocation, developing new market opportunities, promotion, capital investment and improving systems and processes.

Learn about Grow in Sandwell grants.

‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ grants

Achieving net zero carbon emissions is one of Sandwell Council’s seven economic priorities. Grants of up to £20K are available to help local businesses improve energy and resource efficiency through changing or updating things such as ventilation, heating, lighting, refrigeration, insulation and waste management.

Learn about Net Zero in Sandwell grants.

A banner to represent international trade showing a globe, planes taking off, container ships and lorries

International trade support

Sandwell Council has teamed up with experts at Falsum Consulting Ltd to provide one-to-one business support to companies with global trade ambitions.

If your business has been importing or exporting for at least a year, then you may be eligible for specialist advice, a customs review, and ongoing consultation.

We also have two international trade workshops coming up at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury, on Friday 12 January and Friday 22 February.

Support for all businesses

Sandwell Start-Up Hub

Whether you’re new to business or highly experienced, you’re welcome to come and work from the Sandwell Start-Up Hub. It’s our supportive, innovative, co-working space in Jack Judge House in Oldbury (opposite Sandwell Council House), which offers free WiFi and networking opportunities).

Desks are free for start-up businesses for twelve months after they sign up*, with designated zones for collaboration and quiet working.

You can also hire space at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub for events.

[*Free for twelve months following sign-up, and before March 2025.]

People to shout about how great you are

Sandwell Business Growth will be here throughout the year, writing news stories, promoting your successes and featuring local businesses through Made in Sandwell profiles. If you have something to celebrate, we’d love to hear from you at any time.

You can also follow us on X or LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.

West Midlands Co-Investment Fund

A £25m fund to support SMEs that offer high-growth potential.

Registration open for Venturefest WM 2024

Posted on 4 January 20244 January 2024 by Kate Christie

Registration for Venturefest West Midlands 2024 is now open. The free event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is sponsoring and co-hosting the Venturefest WM 2024 event at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 21 March.

The all-day event offers entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to share ideas, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. During the day there will be panel discussions, workshops and an exhibition of innovative products.

Sponsors of the Venturefest WM 2024 include:

ICure
Electric Revolution Skills Hub
Medilink
VWV
Natwest
Penningtons Manches Cooper
University of Birmingham.

Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up

Running alongside Venturefest WM will be Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up – a Dragons’ Den-style competition for business owners. The competition provides a unique opportunity for businesses to raise their profile, both in the West Midlands and in front of a national audience of investors.

Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up is run by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, BizzInn at the University of Birmingham and Minerva Business Angels, which is part of the University of Warwick Science Park.

The programme has put over 200 entrepreneurs directly in front of investors over recent years. It has helped bring more than £65m of investments to the region’s small businesses.

The Pitch Up final will be held at Venturefest. The best business pitches will compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs to win:

The best pitch award
Golden ticket to access Minerva Birmingham’s professional network of business angel investors
Potential future investment.

Applications for Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up 2023 are open. The deadline to apply is Friday 26 January.

Find out more and apply here.

What the Mayor had to say

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “I am delighted to once again see Venturefest WM back in the West Midlands. Our region is the fastest growing tech sector in the UK, a position it has proudly held for the last three years – headlined by the £15.3bn tech cluster in Leamington Spa.

“However, we cannot be complacent. Despite the successful path we’re on, there is still so much more to do to grow our tech economy and ensure local people can fulfil their career ambitions here.

“That’s why we’re pressing ahead with investments like our Innovation Accelerator and our Deeper Devolution Deal, and why having Venturefest WM return for another year is so important to us.”

What others had to say

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the WMCA’s portfolio holder for economy and innovation and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Venturefest WM signals our commitment as a region to our wider Plan for Growth. For how we can return our economy to an upward trajectory and with greater influence in key areas.

“We can give entrepreneurs and businesses better focus on growing the skills they need to grow their businesses. All of which are key to our future prosperity.”

Kevin Marks, Regional Research Commercialisation, University of Warwick, said: “It’s great to be part of Venturefest WM and Minerva Birmingham PitchUp again this year. It will showcase some of the exciting technology emerging from across the UK’s University network, supported under Innovate UK’s ICURe programme.

“It’s also exciting that the audience will be allowed to select the best pitch from the cohort presenting to enter the final of Minerva Birmingham PitchUp.”

Dr Ben Roberts, West Midlands innovation adviser at Medilink Midlands, said: “Medilink Midlands is proud to support Venturefest WM. We recognise investment as a pivotal element for our network’s growth and success, both within the West Midlands HealthTech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) and our broader ecosystem across the Midlands.”

Venturefest WM 2024 details

Venturefest WM will take place on Thursday 21 March at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham from 8.30am to 5pm.

For more information about Venturefest WM 2024 and how to meet potential investors, visit the Venturefest website.

To get more funding news and information for your Sandwell business visit our funding search page. You’ll find a searchable database of current EU, government and council grants, loans, venture capital funds and tax credit programmes.

Essential road maintenance works in Sandwell

Posted on 2 January 20242 January 2024 by Kate Christie

Just to let you know: Sandwell Council will be carrying out essential road maintenance work on Dudley Street bridge in West Bromwich between Wednesday 3 January and Sunday 5 May.

The road maintenance works involve partial demolition of the outer edges of the bridge deck and their reconstruction. To keep disruption to a minimum, Sandwell Council has planned the work to the bridge to coordinate with planned stoppages on the Metro.

Once completed, the bridge will be able to carry full highway traffic. The existing eighteen-tonne weight limit on the bridge will be removed.

Various closures and diversions will be necessary while the road works take place including:

Temporary traffic signals and lane closures on Dudley Street from Wednesday 3 January
A full road closure of Dudley Street from Monday 19 February to Sunday 5 May
The closure of Jervoise Street at the junction with Dudley Street between Monday 4 March and Friday March

Pedestrians will be able to access to frontages throughout the work. Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place.

The diversion routes for the closures are short. The Dudley Street closure will put additional traffic onto the A41 between the Swan and Albion roundabouts. The closure of Jervoise Street will put additional vehicular traffic onto Coppice Street and Claypit Lane.

Go to Sandwell Council’s page for the latest on road maintenance works in Sandwell.

Merry Christmas from Sandwell Business Growth

Posted on 22 December 202322 December 2023 by Marie

We’ll be back from Tuesday 2 January to bring you lots more support, guidance, opportunities and resources to help your Sandwell business thrive and grow.

In the meantime, merry Christmas!

If you’re working quietly on your business over the festive break, check out our current programmes:

For established SMEs in Sandwell

Net Zero in Sandwell grants
Grow in Sandwell grants
Sandwell Business Boost

For start-up businesses in Sandwell

Start Up in Sandwell grants
Sandwell Enterprise Programme

If you have questions, the Business Growth Team will be back on Tuesday 2 January to help you. See you in early 2024!

Provisional green light for Grove Lane funding in Smethwick

Posted on 19 December 202319 December 2023 by Marie

A regeneration project for Grove Lane in Smethwick has provisionally been awarded £18m in government Levelling Up Funding.

The government has identified the Grove Lane project in Smethwick as one of 55 successfully proposed projects nationally. It has provisionally awarded the project £18,063,128 from Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.

In line with the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 submission, the funding will be used for land acquisitions to enable new housing around the Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital. It will also support the delivery of the Grove Lane Masterplan which Sandwell Council’s Cabinet approved in February 2022.

Funding methodology

In deciding the funding methodology for Round 3, government ministers had three primary objectives:

1. To prioritise places assessed as ‘in need’ according to metrics set out in the Levelling Up White Paper

2. To ensure a fair geographic spread so the Fund can benefit all areas of the country across its lifetime

3. To support the ‘pride in place and transport’ Levelling Up missions by focusing predominantly on regeneration and transport projects. (Please note that a smaller share of funding is going to transport projects this time compared to previous rounds, given recent wider government investment in local transport.)

The funding award is provisional and subject to project validation, subsidy control checks, and departmental sign-off. Sandwell Officers will be working through this assurance process with government civil servants.

Here in the West Midlands, Dudley Council and City of Wolverhampton Council also made successful bids in Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.

Decarbonisation workshop: creating a resilient future for your business

The Black Country Industrial Cluster is hosting a workshop: ‘Creating a resilient future for your business: How to thrive amidst rising energy costs and decarbonisation challenges’. The free workshop takes place on Tuesday 6 February at Bescot Stadium in Walsall.

The transition to net zero creates greater challenges and opportunities for Black Country businesses than any other UK region. Many businesses in the region depend on competitive energy prices to compete globally. With an increasingly carbon-conscious customer base this can be complex to achieve. This decarbonisation workshop will provide insights into how businesses can thrive whilst working towards becoming net zero.

This event is open to all businesses based in the Black Country with an interest in becoming more resilient, energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint.

The team that led the ‘Repowering the Black Country’ and ‘West Midlands Energy Taskforce’ projects will be presenting the workshop. Expert speakers will be sharing knowledge and advice on energy costs, decarbonisation and energy efficiency.

The team will also discuss the opportunities that the transition to net zero presents for Black Country businesses.

Reasons to attend the decarbonisation workshop:

Learn about the latest government support: funding and free energy assessment programmes
Gain knowledge: access valuable insights to help empower your business to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable practices and make informed decisions
Help shape national conversations: discover how you can get involved in the Black Country Industrial Cluster – a platform for your voice to be heard at national forums
Network with industry leaders: connect with like-minded professionals, industry experts, and influencers who share your commitment to a sustainable, decarbonised and resilient future.

For more information about the event email info@bcinc.org.uk.

For a full agenda and to register visit Eventbrite. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.

‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ is one of Sandwell Council’s seven economic priorities. Find out more on our net zero page: