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Running your own business can be seriously daunting, but if you are thinking of launching your idea, or you have already founded your business in Hampshire, it’s good to know there is support on hand for you.
Over 86,000 companies have a presence in Hampshire, so there’s a strong network of people in the same position as you.
In this article, we aim to give you some signposts to companies and organisations that are there to help you.
Hampshire County Council
Through their Business Hampshire initiative, the county council offer a whole host of support to businesses. Whether it’s providing research and intelligence, help with premises, or signposting you to other resources available, they’re a great (and free) place to start.
Enterprise South
These guys help businesses whether they are pre-start-up, in the early stages after launch, or already well established. The offer free courses, one to one advice, access to finance, mentoring, access to office space and free downloadable guides to help business thrive and prosper.
District Councils
Here is a list of the district councils in Hampshire, all of which offer local support, provide access to local networking groups and in many cases offer free local business listings within their area:
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
East Hampshire District Council
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the County’s largest independent not-for-profit business support and networking organisation They work with businesses across the County, influencing decision-making and shaping practical solutions within relevant governance
Being part of a worldwide business community through the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) network, Hampshire Chamber helps your business to grow by keeping you informed and represented locally, regionally and nationally. The Chamber is well placed to help you expand your markets, access skills and harness the latest technology to achieve your objectives.
They offer training, networking events and business support across many practical disciplines such as HR, Legal and Finance.
Enterprise M3
Enterprise M3 is a Local Area Partnership (LEP). They are a business-led partnership, bringing together private, public and not-for-profit sector organisations to determine local economic priorities and undertake activities which drive economic growth and productivity through innovation, job creation, improved infrastructure and increased workforce skills within the M3 corridor.
They invest in transport, innovation, skills and enterprise, and their Strategic Economic Plan and emerging Local Industrial Strategy set out our vision for the future economy and plans to boost the productivity, prosperity and quality of life for the people and businesses who live and work in the region.
EM3 LEP invests funding through the Local Growth Fund programme and can access European funding through its EUSIF programme.
So whatever stage you are at with your business in Hampshire, do know that there is support available out there for you. What we have referenced here is just a starting point for you but through some of these, you can then get at other resources available to you, a lot of which are free.
We wish you the best of luck.