Business Support

2009-01-13T11:51:26Z

The following organisations offer support and a range of services (some subsidised or free) to the region's businesses.

Business Link West Midlands - To see how your business can benefit, contact your local Business Link. You can contact Business Link West Midlands through their Information Team on 0845 113 1234 (local rate), email [email protected]">[email protected] or request a callback from one of their business advisers.

The Carbon Trust offers interest free credit to help companies make their business more efficient, but also helps with advice on lowering energy bills and cutting carbon emissions.

Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME) - The Centre staff organise external training for SMEs covering business growth, management development, key business skills, e-business and marketing. Most of the programmes are subsidised by local business links.

- The Competitiveness Centre at the University of Wolverhampton offers one central contact point for all of the University's services to external organisations, including the public and private sector businesses. To contact them telephone 0800 068 5023.

Connect Midlands - provides new and growing technology companies located in the Midlands with access to a peer group network, potential investors, technology transfer opportunities, enterprise events, investment readiness training and key skills workshops.

ContactKE - provides speedy and easy access for businesses to the wide range of expertise and specialist resources available in the West Midlands' Universities.

Coventry City Council - Business Support responsible for stimulating business investment; helping established businesses to grow, developing the local workforce, creating wealth and jobs and linking people with jobs and training opportunities.

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) can address the practical needs of manufacturers by delivering hands-on advice and support through specialist manufacturing advisors and a network of expert associate providers. They assist with any aspect of manufacturing including productivity improvements, new and enhanced product development and operational efficiency.

National Business to Business Centre (NB2BC) - The NB2BC ensures that new technology contributes to business and delivers real benefits.

Smarta is a new business support website, billed as Facebook for entrepreneurs, to be launched in the autumn of 2008. Designed to back other business support schemes, such as the government's network of Business Link advice centres, Smarta will put those wanting to start or grow their own business in touch with other entrepreneurs.

Staffordshire University Services for Business & Industry - Programmes aimed at bringing real competitive advantage to businesses in the region.

Staffs Business Innovation Centre (BIC) - dedicated to provide advice and support at little or no cost to help encourage innovation