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SPEED Plus - Be your own boss
Have you got a business idea or a hobby that you’d like to turn into a business venture but need help and support to get it going?
If the answer is yes, then apply now for our business start-up project SPEED Plus and be your own boss!
What is SPEED Plus?
SPEED Plus is a 6 month, part-time business start up project which offers Keele students, graduates, alumni and staff, plus other graduates returning to the West Midlands region, the opportunity to develop their idea or hobby into a business.
SPEED Plus is a £4.2m project which is run at Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Staffordshire University, Wolverhampton University, and here at Keele University. The project started in July 2012 and aims to create 600 new businesses in the West Midlands by 2015.
What does it offer?
If you are offered a place on the prestigious SPEED Plus project, you will receive:
- Practical business development workshops
- One-to-one business consultancy sessions with business experts and specialists
- The opportunity to bid for up to £1500 of grant funding (as its a grant you do not pay it back)
- A business address on Keele Science & Business Park for 1 year
- Access to hot desking in the Nova Centre incubator on Keele Science & Business Park for 6 months
- Networking and additional business development and funding opportunities
- Access to a large network of support and assistance to guide you along the way
When does it start & finish?
Cohort 1: 3 October 2012 - 31 March 2013
Cohort 2: 16 October 2013 - 31 March 2014
Cohort 3: 29 January 2014 - 31 July 2014
How much time will I have to commit?
You will be required to attend a one day induction, a two day weekend residential plus 7 afternoon workshops.
| Attendance Required | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Induction Day (all day) | Wed 16 Oct 2013 | Wed 29 Jan 2014 |
| Weekend Residential | 5/6 Oct 2013 OR 19/20 Oct 2013 | 1/2 Feb 2014 OR 8/9 Feb 2014 |
| Workshop 1: Marketing & Market Research | Wed 23 Oct 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 5 Feb 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 2: Branding & PR | Wed 30 Oct 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 12 Feb 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 3: Financial Planning & Record Keeping | Wed 6 Nov 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 19 Feb 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 4: Developing a Business Proposal | Wed 13 Nov 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 26 Feb 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 5: HMRC & Insurance | Wed 20 Nov 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 5 Mar 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 6: E-commerce | Wed 27 Nov 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 12 Mar 2014, 2pm-5pm |
| Workshop 7: Contracts & other legal stuff | Wed 4 Dec 2013, 2pm-5pm | Wed 19 Mar 2014, 2pm-5pm |
After your final workshop, you only need to attend for your review meetings.
What will be expected of me?
In addition to attending the above events, you will be required attend review meetings, draft an Action Plan, submit 2 Progress Reports, and an End of Project Review. You will be issued with the deadline dates for these during your induction.
You are also required to register as self employed with HMRC during the Residential Weekend and be able to start trading before the end of the project.
Who can apply?
The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and so is only available to EU and EEA Citizens and those with Indefinite Leave to Remain in UK status.
You should also be: a current undergraduate, postgraduate, staff or alumnus of Keele University.
You may also be a graduate of another other university but are returning to live in the West Midlands, or have some other connection to Keele University.
Preference will be given to those applicants who live in the West Midlands.
Please note: We cannot accept applications from anyone who has already incorporated their company, registered with HMRC or is already trading.
How do I apply for SPEED Plus?
Download the Application Form, complete it, ensuring that you sign it, then scan it and email it back to us at speedplus@keele.ac.uk
Even if you are applying as a group, you must all complete an individual Application Form.
SPEED Plus Application Form
Is there a deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications for both Cohorts is 5pm on Monday 22 April 2013.
Places are limited, so if you think this is for you, then you should apply as soon as possible.
Remember to tick the appropriate box in your Application Form to let us know which cohort you wish to apply for, or you can apply to for both, just tick both boxes!
If places are not filled by the final judging panel day in July, we reserve the right to re-advertise during the summer vacation. Previous applicants, who have not been shortlisted, should not re-apply.
What happens next?
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to present your business idea to a panel of experts. Times and venues will be arranged nearer the time. You should indicate all the dates you can attend on your Application Form. You are required to bring 2 passport photos with you, with your name clearly printed on the reverse.
Those who are selected by the judges to participate in SPEED Plus will be notified in writing, confirming your start date, time and venue.
|
Judging Panel Dates | |
|---|---|
| Wed 8 May 2013 | Fri 31 May 2013 |
| Wed 29 May 2013 | Mon 10 June 2013 |
| Thur 30 May 2013 | Mon 17 July 2013 |
How do I access the funding?
If you are sucessful, this will be discussed in detail during induction. The funding can only be used to pay for goods/services to help you start your business. You apply before you make any purchase, then, once approval has been given, you buy the goods yourself and after we recieve your reciepts we reimburse you - usually within 2 weeks of receiving your completed claim.
If you need any further information, please take a look at the official SPEED Plus website or email speedplus@keele.ac.uk
