The Green Entrepreneurs' Programme - Sprint 1: Weeks 1-2
The Green Entrepreneurs’ Programme is back!
Following the initial launch of The Green Entrepreneurs’ Programme in summer 2023, Ambitious Essex (Essex County Council) and Art Clubbers CIC are back to deliver the FREE programme to support aspiring entrepreneurs over the age of 18, in Essex, to launch or develop their early-stage businesses & projects of under 2 years, in greener ways!
The Green Entrepreneurs’ Programme 2024/25 programme is divided into 3 ‘sprints’ with each sprint consisting of over 30 sessions/workshops/events over the course of 9 weeks. The total number of sessions will accumulate to 100 over the 9 month delivery period.
This programme supports individuals in Essex with an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in all things creative and sustainable. The programme covers business planning, marketing and branding guidance, pitching advice, legal and financial support, sustainable awareness/green practices and personal development. Learning from various industry experts and professionals, participants will gain the confidence and skills to pitch then launch their business start ups.
On our induction day, we visited Patch, Chelmsford where the cohort met Matt Miller from Essex County Council, who shared the vision for the programme and its future prospects. We went through the details of the curriculum, discussed ideas and personal/professional goals the cohort have for the programme. This was a great chance to meet in person and break the ice!
To kick off the first week, the first session with Hrvoje Kondzic covered business vision, mission and values, where the cohort were invited to share their initial ideas and form a mission and values statement. Next Ajay Pabial introduced the lean canvas model, an accessible business model that reflects on ambitions, USP, competitors and early adopters. We then had a session with Nat Harrison who ran through the goal and strategy setting process which will be evaluated at the end of each sprint. We finished the week with a guide into green business definitions with Rachael Castell.
The second week started with a great insight on all things HMRC, UTR and tax from Toni Eastwood who shared the step by step by step process to setting up a business registration as well as brilliant resources on book keeping. James West went through a financial plan and understanding the importance of finding one that works for you. Teresa Feirra lead a workshop on on building a sustainable brand from the ground up! We finished the week with a peer review where the cohort shared their progress together.
We look forward to seeing how the entrepreneur’s ideas grow and develop!
If reading about the programmes content has inspired you, you can apply to join! Applications are accepted throughout the programme with our rolling deadline. Apply here: https://bit.ly/GEP-2024