Keele University is delighted to partner with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to deliver local entrepreneurial support with the first Exploring Digital Entrepreneurship workshops taking place this month.

Designed to help budding entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality, the programme offers 12 hours of support and guidance delivered through four interactive workshops.

Drawing on the experience of successful entrepreneurs and in collaboration with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the workshops will cover key topics, from understanding your value proposition and target audience, to calculating your costs. At the end of the sessions, participants will leave with their own Business Summary and Toolkit to support the next steps in launching their business.

Available exclusively to anyone based in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire who has not previously set up their own business, a new cohort will start each month until June 2023. There are three options available, each suited to a different stage of the entrepreneurial journey:

• Run by Business Advisors from the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Engaging Entrepreneurs workshops are best suited to those with some prior knowledge and experience of studying or working in business and provide an exciting opportunity to discuss and develop your business idea(s).
• In proud collaboration with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Empowering Women Entrepreneurs workshops are designed to support and inspire the next generation of women in business, providing an exciting opportunity to build relationships with other aspiring female entrepreneurs.
• Ideally suited to people interested in business and looking to develop a business idea, the Exploring Entrepreneurship workshops give you the space to ask questions, share your ideas and develop an understanding of what is required to run your own business.

Tom Nadin, Head of Projects and Business Services at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Keele University on the Exploring Digital Entrepreneurship workshops.

“Launching your own business can be a fantastic and exciting career opportunity - and these workshops will support the development of the key skills required to be successful.

“The programme offers a holistic support package that will guide entrepreneurs through the process of launching their own businesses to give them the best start in the world of self-employment.”

Lizzie Harling, Project Co-ordinator at Keele University, said “Exploring Digital Entrepreneurship is a new and exciting opportunity for anyone wondering about what it might take to start their own business. The interactive workshops will help develop your business idea, understand what is involved in running a business and engage with successful entrepreneurs.

To find out more and view the session dates visit our website or get in touch with the Keele Gateway (01782 733001 / gateway@keele.ac.uk).

Innovation Centre 7 and its associated programmes are part-funded through a suite of funders including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (as part of the England 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme), the Research England Development Fund, and UK Government funding through the Getting Building Fund.