Fully-Funded Support for Newcastle SMEs
Have you heard the exciting news? HiThrive is thrilled to be part of the new Citylife Business Support Scheme, following our successful involvement in three previous initiatives. This new scheme is designed to provide fully-funded support to eligible SMEs in Newcastle upon Tyne’s local authority area. But what does this mean for you?
Up to twelve hours of free support from Business & IP Centre North East (BIPC) Citylife Experts
Workshops tailored to specific business needs
A free events programme based on current business challenges, the funding landscape, resilience, and innovation
The program is scheduled to run until March 2024.
Are you wondering if your business qualifies?
Here are the prerequisites:
Your business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise located within Newcastle upon Tyne’s local authority areas.
You need to be safeguarding or creating new jobs or be looking to adapt and improve in the post-COVID era.
To qualify as an SME, your business cannot exceed 250 employees during a financial year, have an annual turnover surpassing £36m, or a balance sheet total over £18m.
What can you expect from this support?
As a BIPC Newcastle’s Citylife Expert, HiThrive is committed to providing tailored advice to meet your unique needs. This could be one-to-one advice, online or in-person, or even a project they would carry out on your behalf. You can benefit from expertise on topics like improving business performance, conducting business audits, turning around a failing business, growing sales, and strategic planning.
Who are these Citylife Experts, you ask?
The Citylife Experts are small businesses or business support organisations that work in partnership with BIPC North East, through the Centre’s Experts-in-Residence programme, or have delivered and supported workshops and events organised by BIPC.
How do you get started?
Simply visit our Citylife page, and schedule an initial call on your preferred date and time. If you require further meetings or support, this will be agreed at your first meeting.
Once you’ve received support, BIPC will pay the Citylife grant into your business bank account for you to pay the Expert. However, if your business is not registered for VAT, the grant will include the Expert’s fee plus VAT. If you are VAT-registered, you will have to cover this cost yourself.
What if you need more than twelve hours of support?
Although larger projects can be undertaken, the Citylife Business Support scheme only funds the first twelve hours provided by the Expert. The remaining balance must be paid when the work is completed.
Not sure what support you need?
Don’t worry! The BIPC team will help you select the right Expert. You can even split your 12 hours between up to two experts. The service is flexible, designed to suit your business needs.
In addition, SMEs will have access to a free online events programme focused on resilience, innovation, and COVID-19 business challenges.
If you still have questions or want to discuss how the Citylife Business Support scheme could benefit your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, let’s thrive with Citylife!
