Business boosting opportunities

At Enterprise Nation our job is to solve problems for small business and the most regular call we hear?is that you want?‘access’; whether that be access to space from which to trade, or access to markets in which to trade. Here are five opportunities you can activate right now that deliver what you’re after. ??

Get noticed ?

For anyone who visited the Business Department at 1 Victoria Street circa 2015-2018, you will recall the reception area was filled with a showcase of Great British businesses. I have spent years longing for this to return which is why I was delighted to see this post from Dan Martin revealing that:

'Science and technology businesses have been invited to showcase their products or services at the new London headquarters for the?Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).’ ?

Interested in exhibiting? Email?[email protected]??

Win money and mentorship ?

On Thursday we launched the Enterprise Nation Fund with support from TikTok to offer three small businesses a cash prize of ￡5,000 each plus a year of mentoring from @MikeAJTurner @TimothyArmoo and me! I’m hoping the Fund will be annual and we have seen the demand for it via the volume of applications in the first couple of days. Find out more and apply here. Applications open until 14th September. ??

PopUp for a Pound! ?

Westminster Council has launched Meanwhile On: Oxford Street and will be offering space to 35 brands to trade for six months, rent free. The council says:

‘There will be a variety of store sizes on offer, single tenancy and curated stores shared between like-minded concepts.’

Apply before 30th August. ?

In Liverpool, shops are being offered to rent for ￡1 with the first cohort of tenants having just moved in.

Sell to government ?

Our partnerships manager Matthew Williams spotted a procurement we think will be good news for small food & drink businesses. ‘Buying Better Food & Drink’ is a commitment to spend ￡100 million in buying supplies from SMEs. We are trying to find out who will be bidding as this represents a potential sales boost for small firms. ?

Sell to the world ?

A recent government announcement that the UK is now part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) opens up large and growing markets for UK businesses. If you are making the most of these trade deals, the Institute of Export wants to celebrate you! IOE has opened applications to the International Trade Awards. I’m a Judge for the Micro Business Award and looking forward to applications from small and mighty global businesses. Apply here.

I hope these opportunities appeal to you so business remains brisk this summer.