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 sessions with expert advisors.
One-to-one support
Our one-to-one support is tailored specifically to your individual needs. Our advisors have a wealth of knowledge and can discuss any aspect of your business. Whether you need to re-evaluate your marketing strategy, create a business plan, apply for grants or funding or discuss staffing, we can help you wherever you are in your business journey.
To access up to 12 hours of support from one of our experienced business advisors, simply register your interest here.
What our clients say
Eligibility
If you have attended any of our Thrive group workshops previously, or if you're new to the programme, you can access the one-to-one support. Thrive is available to newly trading and existing businesses only. Pre-starts are not eligible.
The Thrive programme will close at the end of July, 2023. Places are limited so please register your interest quickly.
Please note:
*This support is available to businesses across Devon & Somerset (excluding North Somerset & BaNES). Businesses in Torridge or North Devon can access similar support through North Devon Plus.
Get Your Free Business Planner
As well as all the free support available under the programme, once you have completed your full 12 hours, you will receive a free copy of our Small Business Planner!
We created this useful guide specifically for our clients, based on our experience helping thousands of small businesses over the years. Designed to help you organise your thoughts and ideas, as well as useful tips and templates for you to stay on top of your business, financial and marketing goals.
It includes the following:
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.
How to register
To access tailored one-to-one support, please register your interest via the Heart of the South West Growth Hub here.
Be quick! The programme closes at the end of July, 2023.
Workshops
Using Canva for your Marketing
11 July, 10am - 1pm
Online - FREE
Want to create stunning visual content for your social media feeds and promotional material? This workshop is for you! During this hands-on, interactive session, we’ll show you how to use Canva.
Thrive Business Resilience Event & Networking (Exeter)
20 July, 9am - 1pm
Exeter Science Park - FREE
Join this free event, with workshops on business resilience, business health checks, successful grant funding application tips, and networking. Hosted by Business Information Point and Heart of the South West Growth Hub.
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.