woman writing on a package label

Programmes

Find out more about the programmes available to help your business achieve long-term success.

Our schedule of programmes to help you grow and sustain your business will be launching soon. For more information please contact businessgrowthdorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

You can also view our Scale-Up programmes available here


Resources

Here are some key support services designed to help you successfully sustain your business.

ActionCOACH Masterclasses

A series of free masterclasses focussing on critical aspects of business management. 

Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Studio

Support to design products and services, trial and prove ideas and concepts with potential users, build and test prototypes. 

Barclays Eagle Labs

Providing businesses with a range of services to help them to connect, innovate and grow.

BCP Council

Business support and advice available to businesses based in the Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Local Authority area including Shared Prosperity Fund.

Be the Business

Offering a range of business support including impartial advice and guidance and programmes that drive real improvement.

Better Business for All

Helpful guidance and toolkit of resources associated with the 10 steps taken by effective local partnerships.

Bournemouth University

Advanced leadership training, graduate recruitment services and expertise in areas like AI, sustainability, and digital transformation. 

Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Membership offers numerous benefits and services including networking opportunities, seminars, government advocacy, marketing and promotional campaigns etc.

Bridport & West Bay Business Chamber

Membership offers benefits including promotion, information dissemination, lobbying and influencing of decision-makers.

Business Information Point 

Fully-funded support programmes for both small businesses and the farming community throughout the South West plus commercial support at highly competitive rates.

Business Support Service

Helps small businesses at all stages to find the right support and impartial advice. 

Contracts Finder

Search for information about contracts worth over £12,000 (including VAT) with the government and its agencies.

Dorchester Chamber for Business

Promote, support and influence the interests of members and help local businesses work together to boost trade.

Dorset Business Mentors

Linking accomplished business leaders as mentors to businesses, charities and social enterprises in Dorset.

Dorset Chamber

A membership organisation offering a range of services, including international trade support, networking opportunities and business advice. 

Dorset Council

Business support and advice available to businesses based in the Dorset Local Authority area including Shared Prosperity Fund.

Dorset Growth Hub

Providing support, guidance and information on all aspects of business, including start-up, growth, finance and digital in Dorset. 

Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network

Powering skills, training and opportunity including Skills Bootcamps for individuals and employers. 

Empiric Partners

Expert guidance for business; specialist knowledge in profit planning, procurement, marketing and cyber security.

Employee Health & Disability Support

Free advice to employers, tailored to the needs of smaller businesses including information to support employee disability or health and legal obligations, including reasonable adjustments.

Enterprise Nation

Resources and expertise designed for small businesses.

Evolve

Providing advice on starting, growing and exiting a business, supporting the business, leader and team.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

The UK’s leading membership organisation for the self-employed and small business owners.

Gillingham Chamber of Commerce

Access to a range of benefits all geared to advising, helping and developing; supporting local business relationships and the local community.

Health Sciences University Innovation Voucher Scheme

Offer small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to access the wealth of academic expertise, cutting-edge research and advanced specialist equipment.  

Help to Grow: Management

Designed and delivered by entrepreneurs and industry experts at world-class business schools. 

ICAEW

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - find a chartered accountant. 

Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

The official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. 

IPO Standard Essential Patents Resource Hub

A collection of guidance and signposting to help UK businesses navigate the SEPs ecosystem.

Live Well at Work

Support to create a workplace that supports and encourages healthy behaviour, where individuals flourish, teams excel and organisations thrive to unlock the full potential of employees. 

National Cyber Security Centre

Supports the most critical organisations in the UK, the wider public sector, industry, SMEs as well as the general public. 

Nat West

Access to a range of mentors, experts, events and programmes to help your business thrive and take you further, faster. 

ScaleUp Institute

The ScaleUp Institute is a private sector, not-for-profit company focused on making the UK the best place in the world to scale up a business.

Shaftesbury & District Chamber of Commerce

Shaftesbury’s Business Community, associated with Dorset Chamber of Commerce.

Sherborne Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Exists to promote its members’ businesses and the wider business community and town beyond.

SturBiz – Sturminster Newton Chamber of Commerce

Promote and enhance the local economy and its businesses, and to support a thriving and effective business community.

Supplying the South West

A portal providing a user-friendly, intuitive process to advertise all open tenders and quotation opportunities for councils in the South West. 

Swanage & District Chamber of Trade

Actively making Swanage a better place for local businesses.

The Insolvency Service

A government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.

Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce

The voice of the Weymouth & Portland Business Community.

The resources listed on www.businessgrowthdorset.co.uk include both free and chargeable options. Business Growth Dorset does not endorse or take responsibility for the providers of these resources. We cannot be held accountable for any advice or services provided by the organisation listed on this site. Users are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before engaging with any listed provider.

Finding Finance

Securing funding for your business can be challenging, with many options to navigate and various organisations offering support. To help, we've compiled a selection of funding opportunities and the services that provide them.

International Trade & Exporting

A range of national and local support is available to companies considering exporting, exploring new markets or those who are experienced exporters.

Net Zero Support

Explore the links below for organisations committed to reducing Dorset's carbon impact.

Education & Skills

Discover and explore the organisations training and supporting the skilled workforce of Dorset.


Locations

Commercial Property Search

Our councils can support you with free, confidential and impartial service enabling businesses and interested parties to search for commercial property space in the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

Business Parks

Dorset is home to many high-quality employment sites driving the growth of local businesses, accommodating inward investment and facilitating export to new markets.

Co-working locations

Co-working hubs / office space