Stone businesses looking to win new contracts can apply for six hours of fully funded help with bids and tenders.
Only six businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will receive the bespoke support, which is being offered by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub in partnership with RGC Solutions.
The Achieve and Grow programme is intended to help businesses applying for contracts, trying to join a procurement framework or preparing their first tender.
Support can also be used to review paperwork, assess whether a business is ready to bid or examine why a previous submission was unsuccessful.
Who can apply
The support is aimed at established microbusinesses based in Stone and elsewhere in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent.
According to the Growth Hub’s published eligibility criteria, businesses must:
- Have traded for more than five years
- Employ between two and ten people
- Have annual turnover of no more than £632,000
- Have no more than £316,000 on their balance sheet
Businesses can apply if they sell directly to consumers, do not pay business rates or have previously received other funding.
Specialist support
The sessions will be delivered by RGC Solutions founder Sarah Colclough, a Staffordshire specialist in bid writing, contract submissions and funding applications.
The Growth Hub says she has worked on more than 80 contract and grant submissions which have secured millions of pounds.
Sarah said
“It takes a lot to stand out in an increasingly competitive funding and procurement landscape, but the value of winning work that aligns with your ambitions can be a fantastic opportunity to achieve and grow.
“The package of support available via the Growth Hub will provide businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the processes and objectives of bids and tenders, as well as the common pitfalls and how to avoid them.”
Growth Hub manager Rachel Wood said the support had been developed following requests from businesses attending its Meet the Buyer events.
She said
“There is so much out there to tender for, and although the complexities of a submission can be daunting, with Sarah’s expert help, we can offer six businesses the support needed to win that next contract.”
How to apply
Eligible Stone businesses can register through the Tender and Bid Writing Support form on the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub website. http://www.stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk/
Businesses can also contact the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002.
