A BUSINESS START-UP programme hosted a raft of fully funded webinars, videos and podcasts for businesses during lockdown.
The Enterprise Hub – a joint project between Menter Mon and M-SParc in Gaerwen – quickly adapted their services to online in order to provide guidance, advice and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs during the pandemic, utilising the expertise of leading North Wales companies.
Since the end of April more than 500 people have signed up, with over 50 webinars available on topics ranging from marketing, social media and PR, to psychology of pricing, SEO and GDPR. Subjects around online diversification have been a sell-out, as expected.
Among the guest speakers were digital marketing supremo Gavin Burrough, marketer Teresa Carnall and Dr Gareth Harvey from the School of Psychology at Bangor University.
Virtual networking sessions have also been popular, providing an opportunity for businesses to network and share approaches to dealing with the current situation.
Community is at the heart of the Enterprise Hub ethos and they have been thrilled to be able to collaborate with the other four Hubs to hold joint webinars, further ‘expanding the ecosystem’ pan-Wales.
Taking their courses and resources online reinforced how adaptable and innovative The Enterprise Hub is, meeting the requirements of industry through technology and via online platforms.
Coordinator Sara Roberts said the region’s business community has come together at a time when it was most vital.
“I am really pleased with how well-received our virtual sessions have been, the feedback has been so positive,” she said.
“Although the time in self-isolation has been so hard for many businesses it has given them the opportunity to pause to review their strategy and reshape their approach, or even to hone their marketing and social media.
“We are glad to have been able to support them to do this with our webinar programme, which will continue throughout the summer.”
Sara added: “We will be here with help, support and advice for anyone who needs it. We thank you all for joining us online over the last couple of months and hope you will continue to in the months ahead.”
Earlier this year, the Enterprise Hub launched Miwtini, a start-up programme for people in Conwy, Denbighshire, Anglesey and Gwynedd. This programme has also been adapted to online delivery with the next cohort commencing at the end of this month.
They also offer fully funded advice and support and co-working office spaces at sites such as M-SParc, Rhyl’s Clwyd Chambers, Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction and bases in Ruthin, Botwnnog, Dolgellau and Porthmadog. They look forward to welcoming people back to the physical Hub spaces across the regions as soon as it is safe to do so.
For more information on how the Enterprise Hub can help you start-up in business, visit www.hwbmenter.cymru. Alternatively, follow @hwbmenter on social media.