Growth vouchers

CMI is supporting the roll-out from January 2014 of the new Growth Vouchers

This is a new £30m scheme which offers subsidies of up to £2,000 to help small businesses access expert advice and guidance. The programme focuses on five different themes of advice which small businesses have said they need help with.

These are:

• Improving leadership and management;
• Making the most of digital technology;
• Managing cashflow, late payments and negotiating finance;
• Marketing, attracting and keeping customers;
• Developing skills and taking on staff.

The programme is being run as a randomised control trial (RCT) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Cabinet Office’s Behavioural Insights Team. It’s the first time an RCT has been run on this scale and it aims to find out what sort of business advice is most effective for government to support.

How to register as a supplier

CMI (and Institute of Consulting) members have the opportunity to register as suppliers to small businesses through an online Marketplace.

The Marketplace built to help those small businesses who have a Growth Voucher identify potential suppliers. The registration process is open now. Following an on-boarding process that includes validation of their professional body membership through CMI/IC, suppliers will receive information on how to build their profile and connect with potential customers.

Find out more and register as a supplier via the Enterprise Nation Marketplace

How to apply for Growth Vouchers

CMI is also encouraging any members who work in small businesses that meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the Growth Vouchers.

Eligible businesses need to have been running for a year, have fewer than 50 employees, and have not paid for strategic external advice in the past three years.

More information and details of how to apply are available at www.growthvouchers.co.uk.