Free business support launched for Solihull SMEs

STEAMhouse have announced a new programme – fully-funded by the UK government through the UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) – to support Solihull SMEs to innovate, collaborate and grow. Successful applicants to the programme will receive fully funded STEAMhouse memberships.

Applications for this project are now open to ALL local businesses and SMEs in the Solihull region, with a particular emphasis on the creative, digital, transport technology and low-carbon sectors. The programme aims to help the local business ecosystem to build a new products, services or projects and overcome the challenges of having limited budget or resources to get things going. Over 80 businesses from the Birmingham region have already applied to make use of the fully funded support, and STEAMhouse are looking to extend the support to Solihull SMEs.

The programme is looking to help ambitious businesses and organisations who want to capitalise on the opportunity to receive up to 20 hours of tailored, fully funded business support, until March 2025. As participants of this programme, Solihull businesses will benefit from a fully funded, fixed-term STEAMhouse membership so they can accelerate their innovation and growth journey. Successful applicants will receive:

• Access to fully equipped, collaborative workspace and product production space
• 20 hours of dedicated business support and mentoring
• Access to networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and businesses
• Access to community events and skills development opportunities led by experts and industry leaders
• Guidance from skilled mentors and technicians with decades of experience

This is a rolling programme with regular intakes of members; however, intake is capped at 20 members per month to ensure that businesses get the tailored support and attention they need.  

For Clayton Shaw, head of commercial at STEAMhouse, this is another example of STEAMhouse supporting Solihull businesses and the local economy positively: “The funding received through UKSPF will help make the STEAMhouse facilities and network of experts even more accessible to businesses in Solihull. We’re excited to be able to offer collaborative innovation opportunities to the local community and entrepreneurs and to see Solihull become an even more innovative place to do business.”

To be eligible for STEAMhouse Forward, businesses must be SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) and have a trading address in Birmingham or Solihull.

For more information and to apply for a funded membership via STEAMhouse Forwards, please apply here.