UK’s startups to enjoy free course for entrepreneurs

Budding entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom can develop the right skills needed to establish their own businesses from scratch with a free course for entrepreneurs that will be delivered completely online.

The free course is run by Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub and is designed to teach budding start-up founders how to convert their ideas into viable business solutions.

According to a worldwide employment-related search engine for job listings, Indeed.com, entrepreneurs require specific skills that can help them achieve their business goals.

Entrepreneurs can be online business owners, home-based business owners, inventors, and even small business owners.

The challenges faced by entrepreneurs revolve around putting their ideas into action and developing the skills to persevere through challenges posed by the real world.

This programme will offer UK residents the chance to apply for the five-week fully-funded course where they will develop the skills and knowledge to start their own business.

The free course for entrepreneurs begins in September and will accommodate up to 20 free slots for UK residents.

The launch of this new programme follows the success of the Berkshire Growth Hub’s Pre-Accelerator Programme last year.

The Pre-Accelerator Programme, which is being delivered virtually for the first time by Enterprise Exchange on behalf of the Berkshire Growth Hub, includes a mix of half-day workshops and mentoring sessions.

Through the programme, budding business owners will expect to learn everything from creating a business plan and raising capital to start the businesses.

The programme will also cover sales and marketing strategies for businesses. At the end of the course, the entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts.

The Berkshire Growth Hub offers fully funded, impartial support services and expert one-to-one advice to start-ups and established businesses across the county.

This includes free clinics and masterclasses on a range of business issues, alongside a special Recovery and Growth Programme to provide intensive tailored support to SMEs.

Delivered by Oxford Innovation, the service is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Manager of the Berkshire Growth Hub, Martin Hall said, “Our Pre-Accelerator course is ideal for anyone looking to start a business for the first time. It is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence they need to get their new venture off to the best possible start.”

Hall added that through these workshops, attendees receive practical advice and have the chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs.

He added that this year, the Berkshire Growth Hub will deliver its Pre-Accelerator Programme entirely online through live interactive workshops and one-to-one mentoring sessions and each participant will receive an interactive course workbook to further enhance their learning experience.