BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET business thrive & GROW programme
UP TO 8 HOURS OF FULLY FUNDED BUSINESS SUPPORT AND ADVICE apply todayWelcome to the Bath and North East Somerset Business Thrive & Grow Programme
Make 2026 the year you take your business to the next level!
- Do you feel like your business has more potential, but you’re unsure how to unlock it?
- Finding it difficult to carve out time to step back and plan?
- Looking for clearer direction and priorities?
- Would expert, practical support help you move forward with confidence?
Whether you’re looking for a fresh perspective, a trusted sounding board to sense-check your ideas, or hands-on support to shape your next steps, we’re here to support you.
Our Thrive and Grow programme is fully funded and designed for established businesses across Bath & North East Somerset. It offers tailored, one-to-one support, giving you—and where appropriate, your team—the time, space and expert guidance to reflect, plan and take meaningful action, all aligned with your business goals.
Part of the Bath & North East Somerset business support service, this programme is free to access and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Eligible businesses will receive:
Up to 12 hours* of tailored 1-to-1 support, delivered intensively and designed to help you make rapid progress by September 2026.
Dedicated expert guidance from a specialist matched to your business, offering practical, focused support and real-world experience.
Strategic clarity and direction, including acting as a sounding board, sense-checking decisions, exploring options, and helping you focus on what matters most.
Hands-on help to strengthen your business, such as marketing planning, financial forecasting, improving systems, website/SEO reviews, content support, HR guidance, and bespoke team training.
Further access to a range of free webinars to help enhance your, or your employees, business skills. View the webinars on the programme.
Who is it for?
This programme is likely to be a good fit if you:
Want time and space to think clearly
Value an external, impartial perspective
Are ready to take action
Want focused, practical support
This programme may not be the right fit for you if you:
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Are pre-start or unregistered (with Companies House or HMRC)
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Are looking for long-term or ongoing mentoring
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Do not have capacity to engage before September 2026
Is my business eligible?
The programme is open to all small and micro businesses and start-ups that are based in Bath and North East Somerset and have aspiration to grow.
Specifically:
Registered small/micro trading businesses (active in buying/selling goods or services) e.g. sole traders, partnerships and limited companies with fewer than 49 employees.
– Have a minimum annual turnover of £30,000 (or be able to demonstrate potential to grow)
Registered charities and community organisations.
You will need to be able to complete your support plan by September 2026.
Applying is easy
Register for the Bath and North East Somerset Business Support Service.
Complete the application form (with a broad idea of the support you need)
Attend an initial triage call.
Next steps
Meet your dedicated business expert to agree your support plan and priorities
Plan and book your sessions directly with your expert.
Most business owners don’t lack ideas — they lack time and headspace.
When you’re busy running the day-to-day, it’s hard to step back, prioritise, and decide what comes next.
Our Thrive & Grow programme gives you the space to think, alongside practical, hands-on support to help you build momentum and move forward with confidence.
About the funding of this programme:
Business Thrive & Grow Programme is funded by Bath and North East Somerset council and is delivered by us, Cool Ventures. This is a time-limited programme which aims to support 30 businesses.
Due to limited spaces and funding, we will invite eligible applications to an initial ‘triage’ call during which we will define your support needs. If your application does not qualify for support through this programme, we will offer you support through the Bath and North East Somerset Universal Business Support Service.
If you would like to find out more about the triage process, please give us a call on 08000 418293 or drop us an email info@coolventures.co.uk.
Get In Touch
Customer Services
Tel: 08000418293
email: info@coolventures.co.uk
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Registered address: 7 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6BA
Company registration number: 07713005