Project Name: Enterprise Hub Lead Organisation: City of Liverpool College ERDF value: £4,631,302 Duration: Dec 2015 – Nov 2018 Contact: Helen Millne hello@thewo.org.uk Website: www.thewomensorganisation.org.uk/projects-and-partnerships/enterprisehub Project summary Enterprise Hub coordinates and simplifies the business start-up support available across Liverpool City Region, working to support men and women in Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens and Halton to explore their business ideas and prepare them to get started. The project supports individuals across the City Region to develop their enterprise skills in the pre-start up stage of their businesses, providing advice and guidance, one to one support, training and access to resources and networks. Maggie O’Carroll, CEO of The Women’s Organisation, who are the managing agents of Enterprise Hub said; ‘The creation of new businesses is vital to keep our local and national economy afloat. The Enterprise Hub partnership brings together organisations with a variety of expertise ensuring that those interested in getting advice can link with experts who can offer them quality services. We urge anyone who has any idea for a business to get in touch and let Enterprise Hub guide you to getting started.’ Elaine Bowker, Principal and Chief Executive of The City of Liverpool College who are the accountable body for Enterprise Hub, said: “Start-up businesses are an essential economic driver for the region and a vibrant entrepreneurial sector is a key indicator of a healthy regional economy. “We have long supported future entrepreneurs at The City of Liverpool College and we already work in partnership with The Women’s Organisation to offer student enterprise services, where students with business ideas can access support and advice to set up their own companies.” Enterprise Hub launched in December 2015 and has a target of supporting more than 6000 entrepreneurs up to November 2018 with the creation of 1200 businesses. By June 2016 more than 1,600 individuals had signed up to Enterprise Hub with around 600 of those receiving 12 hours of intensive business support. Irene Afful was among the first cohort of Enterprise Hub business start-ups. A trained mediator, Irene has drawn on 30 years’ experience, including 25 years in the Police service, to set up Ametrine Enterprise Solutions, which aims to advise on diversity strategies and address the under-representation of minority groups at levels within organisations. Former Detective Inspector Irene, who was the first black female Inspector within the Merseyside Police, will also offer personal life coaching and performance coaching for employees. She said; ‘The support from Enterprise Hub was really supportive, motivating and knowledgeable about the many aspects of starting a business. The advice and support was invaluable in giving me the confidence to do what I have always wanted to do.’ ‘I am very proud of myself. I know I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to. I am a passionate and determined woman, and my confidence has grown immensely since embarking on this adventure.’ Partnership The organisations offering business start-up services under Enterprise Hub include; Alt Valley Community Trust, Everton Development Trust, Granby Toxteth Development Trust, Merseyside Expanding Horizons, Princes Trust, Franchising Works, Safe Regeneration, St Helen’s Chamber, Wirral Chamber of Commerce and The Women’s Organisation, who are acting as the managing agent for the project. Strategic support comes from Liverpool Central Library Business & IP Centre, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Person Shaped Support and South Liverpool Housing. The City of Liverpool College are the accountable body for Enterprise Hub Key Outputs / Results 2,320 Entrepreneurs assisted to be enterprise ready. Beneficiary Experiences