Bursaries open for Sheffield entrepreneurs

Business Sheffield, the business support division of Creative Sheffield, is working with The Sheffield College and the School for Creative Startups to provide up to 30 bursaries for its start-up course.

Maureen (Mo) Ellis was inspired by her father to found Eddie’s Chilli Jam to produce and distribute sweet chilli condiments, but it was through help from the School for Creative Start-ups that she put her plans into action.

The School, led by former Dragon Doug Richard, provides help and support from successful business organisation, people and programmes for those seeking to start up their own business. Now the School is collaborating with the Sheffield College to offer bursaries for 30 aspiring creative entrepreneurs to take part in its programme. The bursaries are open for applicants until 30 November.

Business Sheffield, the business support division of Creative Sheffield, is working with The Sheffield College and the School for Creative Startups to provide two full scholarships, which will cover the entire tuition fee of £3,500 per place and will be awarded to candidates demonstrating ambition and commitment.

In addition to the scholarships, School for Creative Startups, in partnership with The Sheffield College, is offering 28 bursaries of £1,000 towards the total tuition fee for entry into the 2015 course.  

The School for Creative Startups Sheffield course is delivered at The Sheffield College through a series of interactive, practical three-day boot camps and round the clock online support. 

The course, which is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage small business owners across all creative industries, is open to anyone aged 18 and over at varying phases of their business, from the ideas stage to being a fully-fledged start-up.

Doug Richard, Founder and Chief Executive of School for Startups, said: “The North of England is brimming with creative talent, especially in the Sheffield region, so it’s vital that we help grow their ambitions. We offer fantastic courses to give them the skills and know-how to turn their talents into a viable business, but we wanted to make these even more accessible by awarding financial support.

“Thanks to our proactive partners, such as The Sheffield College and Creative Sheffield, we are now able to do this and I’m excited to see the opportunities it will bring to the aspiring entrepreneurs in the region, as well as our local economy in the long-term.”

Creative alumni from the School for Creative Startups course include everything from the unusual, such as snail farmers and acrobatics productions, to milliners, chocolatiers and events' organisers and everything in between. Some 88% of graduates have gone on to successfully start and run businesses after taking part in the course.

The scholarships and bursaries are awarded to qualifying applicants based on greatest financial need and can only be used towards tuition fees. Applicants will need to provide details of their limited income or unique situation and make a strong case for why support is needed in their application forms.

For further information and to apply before 30 November for the January programme, click here.

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