Business Start-Up

If you have an idea for a new business or want to find out more about being self employed, Business Start-up is here to help.

 

Whatever stage you're at, from idea generation through to trading, we can offer valuable support and resources to help you along the way.

 

In the last five years we have supported over 100 students and graduates start up in business and our University is celebrating ten years of enterprise support in Leeds through its business incubator and Business Start-up services.

 

We have supported the start-up and growth of over 600 businesses, creating over 1,300 jobs in the region with a collective turnover of more than £42 million.

 

The University offers two business support services: Business Start-Up which supports students and graduates of Leeds Metropolitan who want to become self-employed or start up in business; and QU2 (Queen Square Business Quarter), which offers business support and office space to any business in the region, particularly suiting start-up and early stage businesses with limited budgets.

 

Our University is committed to supporting the development of the SME sector, a key driver of growth in the local and regional economy. Through our business support services like QU2 and Business Start-Up we demonstrate that commitment which ensures we keep connected and relevant to a diverse and dynamic regional economy.

 

QU2 and Business Start-Up both provide training and advice on the main aspects of starting and growing a small business including: sales, marketing, legal concerns, accountancy and finance, online marketing and human resources. Clients can also access one-to-one advice from in-house business advisors.

 

Business Incubator Manager, Katie Rigarlsford says: “Statistically 50% of start-up businesses will fail in year one of trading. QU2 increases sustainability levels to 95%. This is done through intensive support including finance, legal, sales, marketing and one-to-one expert business advice.”

 

Additional financial help is available for students and graduates to help with the initial set-up costs in the form of proof-of-concept grants worth £1,000 and start-up grants of £2,500, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In the last ten years, Business Start-Up has awarded over £125,000 in grants.

 

The University receives support through corporate partners within the region, including DWF solicitors, WGN accountancy practice, HSBC Bank, Campus PR and other partner organisations such as Leeds Chamber of Commerce. The University is also a founder member of the Leeds Enterprise Network. For further information, please click here.

 

• Business Concept Competition! Your idea could be worth £1500!
  Have you got a business idea for:
  Developing a new product
  An idea for a new company
  A charity or community based product or organisation
  An idea for repositioning an existing company

 

If so, why not enter and be in with the chance of winning the cash. All entrants must be at pre-trading stage or have been trading for less than 12 months on 13 January. You must also be running, or intending to start your business, in the Yorkshire & Humber region.

 

Deadline for applications is Friday 13 January 2012

 

Applications forms can be found here.

 

For more information call 0113 812 1752 or email info@business-start-up.biz

 

Links: Business Start-Up

> Business Start up - Joel Seckleman, Recorded Soul

> Proof of Concept Winner - Godfrey Guzha