Thrive
Let us help take your business to the next level.
Join Thrive for free business support and advice.
Starting and growing your own business can be both an incredibly rewarding, and also a challenging experience. We're here to help you with your business challenges, whether that be hiring your first staff member, getting to grips with social media, managing your finances or anything in between.
Whatever your current business challenge, it can really help to have someone experienced to guide you through, and that's where we come in. Our local advisers are uniquely equipped to support you and help take your business to the next level.
Over 20 years' experience has taught us how best to do this and as every business is unique we are able to tailor our support specifically for you.
The Thrive service has been fully-funded by the European Development Fund to allow us to offer you free business support through a range of one-to-one advice and workshops with expert advisors and speakers.
The support is open to businesses throughout Devon and Somerset* and is available until the end of March 2023. So don't delay, get in touch with us today.

How we can help
See how we can support you on your business journey:
Agricultural support
Helping you navigate the changes.
With so much change going on in the agricultural industry, we can help you work out what’s right for your farm business. Sit down for free with one of our experienced agricultural advisors who can assess your business, make sense of the latest schemes such as SFI, and develop a plan to get you where you need to go.
Whether that’s helping with funding applications, explaining the latest schemes and ensuring you are compliant, as well as advising on areas such as business planning, benchmarking, diversification and succession planning, we can guide you through.
As well as this free one-to-one support, we are also running free workshops on a range of topics such as tree planting, SFI soils standards, digital skills and financial forecasting to name a few.
Free agricultural workshops
Succession planning as a farmer can be challenging for ...
Understand the changes DEFRA has recently announced in the ...Online
Family Business Succession in Farming
Online
Cash Flow and Financial Forecasting
What our clients say
How it works
The Thrive service provides a fantastic opportunity to brush up on your skills or get an outside view from an experienced advisor. The support is made up of four separate 'modules' (a total of 12 hours) which includes access to a great range of workshop topics, plus additional one-to-one support should you wish.
Option 1
A one-to-one meeting with an experienced business advisor
Plus
Three workshops of your choice
Option 2
Four workshops of your choice
Please note:
*This support is available to startups and businesses across Devon & Somerset (excluding North Somerset & BaNES). Businesses in Torridge or North Devon can access similar support through North Devon Plus.
If your business operates in any of the following sectors, you may still access the support but it will be limited to only one 'module' of your choice, which could either be one-to-one support or attendance at a workshop:
Fisheries & aquaculture; primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products; coal, steel & shipbuilding; banking and insurance; synthetic fibres; school age education; decommissioning or construction of nuclear power stations.
How to register
For option one:
- If you would like to have a one-to-one meeting with a local business advisor please complete the form at the bottom of this page. In addition you can either register your own place on three of the workshops below, or your advisor can do this for you.
For option two:
- Look through our range of workshops below and register your place on four of them.
Free Business Skills Workshops
Online
Small Business Sustainability: Reaching Net Zero
If you’re looking to understand and adopt environmentally friendly ...
Online
Creating a Manageable Marketing Plan
This jargon-free workshop will guide you through creating a ...
Online
Financial Planning & Funding
Take your accounts to the next level with a ...
Online
How to Make your Business Attractive to Employees
With more job vacancies than unemployed people in the ...
Online
Boost Your Business with Testimonials & Reviews
Did you know that 90% of shoppers read online ...
Online
Building Resilience for Small Businesses
Building resilience is the secret to overcoming challenges, managing ...
Online
Family Business Succession in Farming
Succession planning as a farmer can be challenging for ...
Online
Writing a New Business Plan for your Business
What is a business plan and how do I ...
Online
Cash Flow and Financial Forecasting
Understand the changes DEFRA has recently announced in the ...
Online
Peer to Peer Networking for Hospitality Businesses
The pandemic proved to be a really tough time ...
Online
Peer to Peer Networking for Hospitality Businesses
The pandemic proved to be a really tough time ...
Online
Digital Strategy for Small Businesses
What is a digital strategy and why do you ...
Online
Creating Great Visual Content with Canva
Want to create stunning visual content for your social ...
Online
Pricing and Positioning Your Products and Services
Do you struggle with setting your prices? Setting the right ...
Online
Peer to Peer Networking for Hospitality Businesses
The pandemic proved to be a really tough time ...
Online
Marketing Made Easy
Want to learn how to attract and retain customers ...
Online
Small Business Sustainability: Reaching Net Zero
If you’re looking to understand and adopt environmentally friendly ...
REGISTER FOR SUPPORT
If you'd like further information about the support available or want to register for one-to-one support with a local business advisor, please fill in your details below and someone will be in touch within 5 working days.
How this support is funded
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub Service for All is receiving up to £781,965 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit this page. The accountable body for this programme is Devon County Council, working with contracted business support providers including North Devon + and the Cosmic BIP Consortium.
