Have you ever thought of starting your own business?

BSEEN is a project designed to help you.

If you are a recent graduate living in Birmingham, you could be eligible for BSEEN’s comprehensive business support programme.

The BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) programme offers graduates and students a diverse package of support at a time when many will see business start-up and self employment as an attractive career option. With incubator support, training, mentoring and career guidance, the programme will give participants the tools they need to succeed. A city-wide network of entrepreneurs will give much needed peer support and access to the regional economy.

The Graduate Business Support Programme has been designed to ensure that budding entrepreneurs have the necessary skills and knowledge to make their business thrive, and not just for the initial six months of support that the scheme offers, but for years to come. Graduates are welcomed at various different levels of experience: whether you are just developing an idea or have already begun to make the idea a reality, BSEEN can take you forward.

The programme includes:

• Incubator Space

You will have use of one of three incubator spaces, along with internet, telephone and printing facilities. Each university participating in the scheme has their own incubator, and these are located across the City. Each of the spaces is different, but all are an excellent place to start your business.

• Business Grant

BSEEN entrepreneurs receive £500 each month, which can either be used towards setting up your business or towards your living costs.

• Mentoring

There is a pool of experienced mentors on board who will be able to give advice, share their own experiences and guide you in the right direction. All the mentors have been in your position, and many would argue that finding the right mentor can be a major factor in a business’ success.

• Networking Opportunities

Throughout the programme, there will be frequent opportunities to meet and share knowledge with other graduates, as well as with more experienced entrepreneurs.

• Training Sessions

Each incubator has devised a series of training sessions, designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge you need to develop your business. For example, past topics include Legal Issues, Creating a Business Plan, and How to Pitch to Investors.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scheme, you must have graduated (from any UK university) within the last four years and be currently living in the Birmingham City Council region. If accepted onto the programme, you will be asked to provide proof that you meet both these criteria.

If you have already set up your business, you must not have been trading for more than six months.

How to Apply
To apply, please download and complete the application form, and email it back to KYP@fusedmagazine.com: BSEEN Application Form

Enterprise Club

If you are an enterprising graduate looking to meet like minded individuals in Birmingham, then we invite you to join the BSEEN Graduate Enterprise Club.

For one day every month, BSEEN wants to bring together like minded graduates for a series of networking events, training sessions, workshops and drop in sessions. Covering areas such as business planning, marketing, pitching and securing investments, these sessions offer a number of different ways to kick start your business. Throw in the opportunity to talk to already established professionals, and there is no reason why your ideas can’t be taken to the next level. So, if you are currently living in Birmingham and have graduated within the last four years, then BSEEN may be offering you all the support you’ve hoped for.

For further information contact: Elisabeth Hewitt on 0121 202 4817 or email alexa.torlo [@] bcu.ac.uk