GrowBiz
GrowBiz Scotland is a community-based organiszation, with a based in Perth & Kinross, Scotland, providing support for anyone who is considering becoming self-employed, starting, or growing a small business or social enterprise in rural Scotland. It delivers a range of innovative services, including:
- 1-1 Support: With an expert team of 15 Enterprise Facilitators, GrowBiz supports clients with everything they needed to start or grow a sustainable rural enterprise. This includes digital technology, finance, sales and marketing, creating net zero strategies, funding applications and much more. Meetings are held in-person or online, and there’s also the option to book in to weekly drop-in surgery sessions for more immediate issues.
- Events: GrowBiz delivers regular interactive learning sessions and networking events which are based around topics its clients need support with, including improving marketing, wellbeing and productivity. Networking events, such as monthly Women’s Enterprise Network sessions, are a confidential space to share challenges and experiences and be motivated by inspirational speakers.
- Mentoring: GrowBiz’s award-winning business mentoring programme is accredited and trains volunteer mentors to support those who need a confidence boost, a listening ear, or someone to help with personal development. Perthshire Artisans Smart Village: This is a digital platform and curated online shop for creatives and makers living and/or working in Perth & Kinross. Members especially appreciate the opportunity to get support and connect with other artisans, share ideas, expertise and skills, and collaborate.
- REDS Smart Village: REDS is an online directory and map for small businesses, social enterprises and the self-employed in rural Scotland, offering increased visibility, digital promotion opportunities and facilitating connections and collaboration.
- SEED: The Self-Employment and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) programme provides tailored support for young entrepreneurs, start-ups and self-employed individuals aged 18-25 in Perth and Kinross, helping them explore self-employment, develop their ideas and make their business goals happen.
- Peer Support: GrowBiz facilitates several peer support groups in Perth and Kinross around specific sectors, including care and wellbeing practitioners, social enterprises, and food, drink and hospitality providers. Find out more about all of its rural enterprise support services on its website.
Role within RURACTIVE
GrowBiz will interface with business practitioners on the delivery of the Rural Development Drivers. GrowBiz already provides support to over 2,000 rural businesses, including 1-1 advice, learning & skills development, mentoring, peer support and networking. It will share case studies and examples of how this support assists in the set-up and sustainability of rural businesses and social enterprises. In addition, GrowBiz has built a 35-strong artisanal community of artists and makers in rural Perthshire, using a digital platform/Smart Village to share stories and expertise, provide tailored support and provision of e-commerce.
GrowBiz has experience of delivering digital skills to a wide range of rural businesses, including support for cloud applications, website development and online networking. The support is provided on a 1-1 basis as well as peer groups, network meetings and via mentoring. GrowBiz also provides, in collaboration with the Local Government Authority, a single access point for area-wide information on care & wellbeing.
GrowBiz has developed a series of individual ‘cloudrooms’ for specific groups, projects and cohorts – allowing private discussion, sharing of resources and peer support.
