D2 Business Starter Programme

Thinking of starting a new business? Do you want to be your own boss?

Do you have the beginnings of a business idea that could make you money?

Whatever stage your business idea is at the D2 Business Starter programme can offer you all the support you need to become a successful entrepreneur and get your business started.

It is funded by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council and delivered by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), the leading business organisation in the region. There are no costs to you – the only eligibility criteria is that people wishing to access the programme are a resident of Derby City or Derbyshire and have the desire to start a business.

With the changes happening across Derbyshire due to the economic impact of the pandemic, a new innovative programme of support has been designed to ensure budding business owners receive the support needed now to make a better future.

The new programme will allow you to share and learn from an online interactive series of workshops. Each four hour workshop incudes a lunch break and time to carry out individual work.

• 8th Sept 2021 – Taster Session – 16:00 – 17:00

Find out more about the programme

• 10th Sept 2021 – Engagement session – 16:00 – 17:00

Tell us about your business idea and plans

• 15th Sept 2021 – Business goals, vision and values – 10:00 – 14:00

Plan what you want to achieve from your business

Assess your skills, ambitions and goals

Start to design your brand

Next steps/goal setting and action planning

• 22nd Sept 2021 – Business basics – 10:00 – 14:00

Learn different business models

Basic business structures and legal structures

Develop a networking circle

• 29th Sept 2021 – Customers & competitors – 10:00 – 14:00

Who are your customers

What does your competition look like

Tools to assess your marketplace and find your target market

• 6th Oct 2021 – Sales and marketing – 10:00 – 14:00

Understanding your customers and clients

Consider your sales, marketing and advertising plans

Customer engagement and valuable connections

• 13th Oct 2021 – Financial planning – 10:00 – 14:00

Consider the start-up costs and business expenses

Record keeping

Pricing structures and models

Profit forecasting

• 20th Oct 2021 – Laws & legislation – 10:00 – 14:00

Intellectual Property

Practical day to day

Legal considerations

• 27th Oct 2021 – Business planning – 10:00 – 14:00

Unique selling point

National Insurance, tax and when to register

Showcase your ideas through your business plan

• 3rd Nov 2021 – Enterprise graduation – 10:00 – 14:00

Finalise and plan your next steps

Discuss further support

• Enterprise Adviser

If required, participants will receive one-to-one support with an experienced Enterprise Adviser. This will enable you to create and develop realistic and innovative business ideas and motivate you to focus on achieving your business goals.

• ICT Support

We are offering participants the opportunity of receiving support to understand, implement, adopt and exploit digital technology to ensure your new business is reaching the widest possible markets.