Our region’s 52,000 SMEs will have access to a package that includes consultancy, training, university facilities, and support to develop research and innovation. The offer will promote long-term growth and job creation. It will also include support for regional entrepreneurs and start-ups, whilst improving and expanding our existing strong collaborations with larger organisations.
Senior leaders from the region can access Help to Grow a government subsided executive development course designed to support SMEs to boost their business performance and growth potential. Delivered by business experts at Sheffield Business School, the course helps small business leaders to develop their strategic skills to increase their business’s long-term productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate.
Hallam is also home to the largest free student consultancy service in the UK. This major source of support for local businesses and community groups has delivered £4,858,500 value to the economy over last seven years and was recognised by a 2020 AdvanceHE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition, The Hallam i-Lab, a 150-business incubator for students and graduates, provides workshops, 1-2-1 support and start-up funding for new trading businesses.
The University’s sustained investment in support for entrepreneurial initiatives, including in our teaching, regional partnerships and research programmes, led to us being named Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the year at the 2021 Times Higher Education awards.
