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Aspire to Enterprise is a new Scottish Government funded programme providing a range of Business Support Services to ambitious, developing social enterprises in central and lowland Scotland.
The programme offers access to development support to organisations with the drive and potential to increase their trading activity to become more sustainable enterprises. Aspire to Enterprise aims to help organisations gain the skills they need to improve sustainability. The programme also aims to assist social enterprises to achieve sufficient growth to access future business development support through Business Gateway.
The programme is open and will accept applications throughout 2008 from those organisations who meet the following eligibility criteria:
• The government criteria for social enterprise
• Are already trading
• Have a minimum total turnover of £60K per annum (this can include funding income)
• Can benefit from tailored development assistance prior to accessing mainstream support
Social enterprises successful in accessing the programme will receive a business health check and 8 days of business support with a tailored programme of support to develop their trading capacity. Support will usually cover things like:
• Business planning
• Financial planning
• Market research and marketing
• Investment readiness and raising finance
• Legal support
Alternatively, aspiring social enterprises can benefit from a range of seminars designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity for future development.
The online application process takes approximately 30 minutes and can be made via the website www.aspiretoenterprise.org.uk
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