The Aston Programme for Small Business Growth is provided free of charge to help businesses survive and thrive in 2022.

Take control of your business’s future with free (fully funded) expert guidance provided by the premier business support programme of the Midlands, delivered by the industry-leading Aston Business School.

As a programme participant, you will:

• Gain relevant knowledge to apply directly into your business from experts in SME leadership and management
• Receive one-to-one support form an experienced business mentor
• Build a targeted growth strategy for your business
• Receive guidance on financial options available to you with an opportunity to pitch your growth strategy to external finance experts
• Network with other early-stage business owners from the Midlands
• Have access to Aston University’s wider support network and be invited to exclusive Business School events.

The programme application process is competitive, with limited spaces permitted for each cohort. We advise applying as soon as possible to be considered for the next cohort.

Programme Eligibility:

• The applicant (you) should be the founder or the CEO of the business, and be the person who is responsible for driving the growth of the business
• Your business must have an operations address in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull or Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area
• Your business needs to have been trading for at least 12 months and employ one FTE (this can be yourself)
• Participants need to make a significant commitment of time and effort to engage with the opportunities provided and are required to attend all workshops.

Programme Dates:

Workshops are due to take place on sporadic Wednesday afternoons between September 2022 – March 2023. A full programme schedule will be circulated to interested business leaders in due course.

Interview: Successful applicants will be invited to attend a brief interview to determine the select number of business leaders invited onto the programme.

To apply, please complete the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth online application form: https://form.jotform.com/203173289873060