Watford Springboard Programme

Calling all Watford-based businesses!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Would a £1,000 grant help your business develop the next winning product or service?

We have a fantastic opportunity to help take your business to the next level through the Watford Springboard Programme, which is offering a chance to accelerate your business venture by accessing a range of targeted business support, including 1-2-1 mentoring and training, as well as the opportunity to secure a grant of up to £1,000.

Build. Grow. Thrive

About the programme

The University of Hertfordshire has designed a programme, funded by Watford Borough Council*, to provide businesses in Watford with the knowledge, skills, and tools to grow and scale-up their businesses. Through this partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, Watford Borough Council is committed to helping Watford businesses access expert business support to grow and scale. This programme follows the successful delivery of previous startup support programmes including Watford Young Entrepreneurs.

Through the Watford Springboard Programme, we want to ensure businesses have the best possible chance of succeeding. Key aims of the programme include:

Supporting businesses to develop new skills through the introduction of new tools and approaches including design thinking.
Introducing businesses to the process of launching new products or services, including evaluating the product/service idea, considering target customers and markets, understanding product development costs, including marketing and promotion.
Through a combination of one-to-one mentoring and group sessions, providing businesses with the knowledge they require to manage their operations, from HR to financial record keeping, creating goals and setting KPIs, to developing growth plans.
Supporting businesses to develop the confidence and knowledge they require to enter new markets, by introducing tools and guidance to carry out market research and put in place appropriate business plans.

*This programme is part of the Council’s package of support for early stage and start-up businesses under the UKSPF funding programme.

Programme information

Programme highlights
The programme includes a combination of:
- Group workshops and training, including masterclasses from academic and industry experts;
- One-to-one mentoring, advice and guidance;
- Guided peer-to-peer support sessions;
- The opportunity to apply for up to £1,000 in grant funding*.
*Participants should attend at least 60% of the workshop to be eligible for the £1000 grant funding
Programme content
- Masterclasses: Hear from academics, successful entrepreneurs, and industry experts and access a dynamic programme of workshops and sessions on topics including:
  - The entrepreneurial mindset
  - Design thinking tools to develop new products and services
  - Pricing strategies
  - Financial regulation and bookkeeping 101
  - Digital marketing strategies
  - Internationalisation and grant funding
  - Pitching
  - Market research and Research & Development (R&D)
- Peer-to-peer networking: Participants in the programme will join a cohort of likeminded businesses and partake in facilitated monthly check-in meetings, led by an expert entrepreneurship adviser, to encourage action and accountability.
- 1-2-1 business mentoring: Participants will also benefit from access to an expert business mentor, with whom they’ll work to develop a pitch-deck.
The programme will provide participants with further opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial skillset, grow their network, apply for up to £1,000 of grant funding.
Dates*
- Programme duration: October 2024 – March 2025
- Application deadline: 25 September at 16:00
- Programme launch: 3 October 2024 via a kick-off meeting
- Final showcase: 31 March 2025
*All dates are subject to change.
Location
Online and at the University of Hertfordshire.
Most sessions will take place online. The kick-off meeting and pitch session will both take place at the University of Hertfordshire as will some networking sessions.

Eligibility criteria

Up to two entrepreneurs per business will be eligible to be part of the programme, and at least one of them will need to fulfil the following criteria:

Must have registered or be running a registered small business business at the time of submitting an application; sole traders are also encouraged to apply
The business must have been trading for under three years
Business premises or registered addresses must be in Watford Borough (not just a WD postcode, must be covered by Watford Borough Council)
The business did not take part in the Watford Springboard Programme pilot (2023-24)

Be a part of the programme

Apply here

Frequently asked questions

Business support and grant to help you grow your business:

Fully funded through Watford Borough Council and delivered by the University of Hertfordshire