The Black Country Chamber of Commerce have announced that the Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology, has been named as business partner for its popular and expanding Start Up Business Club.

The Club, which helps hundreds of businesses to launch and grow each year will be supported by the major new education site in Dudley.

The highly anticipated Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology officially opened in September 2021, the government’s flagship new centre, a collaboration between further education providers, universities, and employers, specialises in delivering higher technical education at levels 4,5 and 6 with a focus on STEM subjects. Georgina Barnard, Managing Director at the Black Country, and Marches Institute of Technology said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the Chamber on this important initiative. Initiatives such as the Chamber’s Start-Up Business Club, led by Alison Trinder, provides much needed help and support with all aspects of running a new business.
 
“Our employer-led Institute of Technology has already formed strong relationships with many organisations of all sizes, and businesses are benefiting from the state-of-the-art facilities available in our new multi-million-pound facility.
 
“We offer a wide range of support for start-ups to help them to innovate and accelerate productivity and business growth. This includes access to a multipurpose research and development facility, comprising of industry standard machinery and equipment, collaborative networks, workshops and industry specific events, industry innovators and experts and signposting/access to government grants and funding.
 
“We’re really proud of the close relationship we already have with the Chamber, and we are looking forward to developing this further by working with more local entrepreneurs to help them achieve business growth.”
 
From networking opportunities to one-to-one business advice, marketing support and savings on essential business tools, the Start-Up Business Club helps small businesses to the next level, it has helped over 200 businesses since its inception in 2018 and offers a one-stop-shop for business advice, personal development training and marketing, all as part of a vibrant networking community.
 
The Club also delivers a number of events and masterclasses where entrepreneurs and new business owners can meet and network and hear from experienced businesspeople. In addition, it also provides two years’ worth of business support.
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The driving force behind the Start-Up Business Club is the highly experienced Business Relationship Manager, Alison Trinder. Alison has more than 30 years of experience in establishing and maintaining strong business relationships. She added:

"Small businesses are the beating heart of the UK economy, bringing in around half of the turnover in our country's private sector. We found that new business entrepreneurs said they felt very lonely and isolated working on their own," Alison said.
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"They wanted to belong to a group where they could share their problems and challenges, talk to other start-up owners and keep motivated to achieve their goals in business. It's a great place to meet fellow entrepreneurs who are at the same stage of business growth, share ideas and best practice, meet with our experts, and learn new skills.”

​To find out more about the Start-Up Business Club, visit startupbusinessclub.co.uk.