Launchpad Southend

Ambitious Young People in Business, a Networking Event
2023-09-26 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Patch Chelmsford, Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6QR
Empowering futures of ambitious young people in business is what Essex county council’s ambitious team are implementing through events such as this, created especially for young business professionals in Essex! So, if you are eager to empower your future, bring your business cards, get ready to connect and come along!
Connect, explore possibilities, and discover opportunities with likeminded people over drinks and snacks.
During the event you will:

Hear from young professionals who have started their own business, learn from their journey and apply those teachings to your own!
Gain an understanding of the power of LinkedIn and how it can bring communities together as well as encourage you to build vital connections.
Get a chance to network and discuss what you want and how you can get it, in terms of being successful in business!

This event was an idea of Annie’s, a young professional who loves to network and meet individuals with similar aspirations. She has teamed up with Ambitious Essex, to create an event focused on bringing together her peers in business, in which you can empower your future. Whether you’re a young person just starting out, someone who has an idea for business or you’re already working for an organisation, this event is for you! Partake in an amazing opportunity to be part of a community who want to learn from one another and grow their potential.
How to get there: accessible by public transport, and only a 10 minute walk from the train station. The nearest car parks are on Bond Street and High Chelmer, but can be costly. Patch is next to Nandos behind MetroBank.
Please note: We will be taking some pictures on the day for our social channels, just let us know on the day if you don’t want to be featured!

Digital Skills - Driving traffic to your website
2023-09-21 01:30 - 16:30 | Online
Need help driving traffic to your website? This course, organised by Colbea, can help with your SEO and grow your business online!
Open to all businesses and residents within Essex, join our online event to gain a greater knowledge of SEO and learn how to build your online business. The course touches upon various topics within digital marketing that you can utilise when developing your digital presence.
What’s covered?
With no previous marketing experience required, the course will give you an understanding of online behaviour as a whole. You will learn about target audience, who they are and how to effectively reach them. Along with budgeting for digital marketing, in terms of how to set one specific to your company needs. As well as online and offline methods for driving traffic. Which includes SEO (search engine optimisation,) paid search, online advertising and PR.
If you are looking to attract customers to your website and grow your business online then this course is a must for you!
Who are Colbea? Colbea is a not-for-profit enterprise and business support agency. A known catalyst for business success across Essex, who provide advice and training for start-up and established businesses. Their connections and resources are the building blocks for thousands of businesses. Will you be their next success story?

Southchurch Business Expo
2023-09-14 08:00 - 12:00 | The Plaza Centre, Southend Christian Fellowship, 600 Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2PT
The first Southchurch Business Expo is being organised in partnership with Southend on Sea City Council Economic Development Team.
It will provide a marketplace of business support giving advice to new and established businesses.
It will offer advice to young entrepreneurs and potential new traders about setting up your own business and will highlight what businesses city wide are doing or can offer.
Businesses showcasing will have the opportunity to promote available job opportunities within their organisation.
It will promote the East of the city as a place to trade and set up business.
The event will be open from 8am to 12pm so why not drop in at anytime and network.

First Steps to Start-up Success
2023-09-06 14:00 - 2023-09-07 17:00 | Online
Looking to start-up or develop a new business or idea? Are you living in or have a business within Essex county? With no prior business knowledge required, take part in an online comprehensive training course taking place over two days, 2pm-5pm.
The workshop, split into two bite-sized sessions, will take you step-by-step through the process of creating and structuring your business through its formative stages. Focusing on how to prepare you and your finances, and exploring your business idea in depth. You will look at how to market your business and put a plan of action in place. The courses intention is to help you develop the framework that will support you throughout your business journey.
What’s covered?

Getting yourself ‘business ready’
Making your marketing work
Business banking
Managing your business money
Preparing for business planning
Your next action steps

When is it?

Wednesday 6th September – 14:00 – 17:00
Thursday 7th September – 14:00 – 17:00

Please be aware that attendance on both days is required.
Who are Colbea? Colbea is a not-for-profit enterprise and business support agency. A known catalyst for business success across Essex, who provide advice and training for start-up and established businesses. Their connections and resources are the building blocks for thousands of businesses. Will you be their next success story?
If you would like any further information or have any questions, please contact us on 01206 548833 or email enquiries@colbea.co.uk

Essex Virtual Networking
2023-08-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Interested in finding out what free support and advice is available to Essex based SME’s? Want to start, grow and establish your business? All of which from the comfort of your own environment? Well this virtual networking opportunity is where you can meet with like-minded entrepreneurs, self-employed people and small business owners, to network, collaborate, promote your services and support each other in the Essex area.
The meeting will take place virtually for an hour. Look forward to a lively, interactive session where attendees will each be given time to introduce themselves in a supportive, unpressured environment. FSB has the aim of helping smaller businesses achieve their ambition, and provide events such as virtual networking in order to reach their mission goal. As a result of previous success from these types of events, they are providing more and more for people to utilise.
This free #FSBConnectOnline networking is open to all businesses – both FSB members and non-members are welcome to attend, so please feel free to share with your networks.
FSB offer their members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government. If you are an existing FSB member or interested in becoming one, there will also be FSB representatives on hand to talk to you about ensuring you get the most from your membership during this challenging time.

An introduction to Able Futures and how we can support employers to support mental health at work
2023-08-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
With the aim of supporting mental health in workplaces comes a webinar hosted by an Able Futures Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant. This session will cover how managers can lead with compassion to advocate a positive mental space for employees. Able Futures deliver the Access To Work Mental Health Support Service in England, Scotland and Wales on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Able Futures knows that mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can lead to having some bad days. Things such as stress or bereavement can also impact our mental health and sometimes mean that we struggle at work and don’t feel able to cope with everyday life. If you live with mental health difficulties you know there are up days but there are down days too. You also know that those down days can really affect you at work- you might find it hard to focus, or maybe struggle to perform at your best. All in all, mental health has a huge effect on your productivity at work, no matter the specifics. The aim of Able Futures is to help you enjoy more good days and enable employers to be actively supporting mental health in workplaces.
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As an employer you can sign up to promote the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service to your apprentices and receive a comprehensive range of support for free. Every apprenticeship provider that registers for the service receives a toolkit, a free training resource full of helpful dos and don’ts, access to webinars and information sessions on mental health at work. Along with access to qualified professionals to help you help your apprentices. You gain resources and guidance on the latest topics for supporting people with their mental health at work. Knowledge you can access at any time.

Ambitious Essex 'Innovation in... Digitech'
2023-07-07 10:30 - 14:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Ambitious Essex, Ambitious Women in Essex and Digital Essex are joining forces to bring you the next event in their ‘Innovation In…’ series, this time our focus is on all things Digitech.
Join us for a morning session where you can from our amazing 3 guest speakers (itinerary below) who will be speaking individually and also taking part in a general panel discussion around the topic, where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. There is also lots of opportunities to network with fellow attendees.
Tim Robinson, Chief Operating Officer, Tech East
Tim is Chief Operating Officer of Tech East, the digital tech cluster organisation for the East of England. He is a founding board member of the UK Tech Cluster Group member. Prior to returning to the East of England Tim held international general management, strategic marketing, and tech product roles at Thomson Reuters, Informa and RICS. He is a non-executive director of UEA’s Norwich Business School and a board member of the New Anglia LEP Cultural Board. He was educated at London Business School and Newcastle University.
Caitlin Glover, Founder, Syper Education
Caitlin is an 18 year old neurodivergent entrepreneur with a passion for using technology in education. She founded Syper Education, a neurodivergent-specialist tuition agency and has recently been selected as a Big Education Challenge Finalist. Caitlin is using technology to ensure that no child is left behind because of the way their brain works.
Beth-May Leddra-Chapman, Freelance UX/UI Designer
Beth-May is a young, award winning designer who runs her own business as well as using her skills to mentor other designers.
Agenda:
10:30 – 11:15: Arrival drinks and networking
11:15 – 11:30: Guest Speaker – Tim Robinson, Tech East
11:30 – 11:45: Guest Speaker – Caitlin Glover, Syper Education
11:45 – 12:00: Guest Speaker – Beth-May Leddra Chapman, Freelance UX and UI Designer
12:00 – 12:30: Panel Discussion and Opportunity for Q&A – “Innovation in Digitech”
12:30 – 14:00: Lunch and Networking
Getting to the event:
The event is being held within The Launchpad, Southend Airport Business Park, Rochford.
The venue is accessible by public transport and there is parking on site for those driving.

Southend Business Partnership Briefing
2023-06-29 07:30 - 10:30 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Following the success of March’s briefing we are hosting the next briefing on the 29th June at Launchpad, Airport Business Park.
Hosted at Launchpad, Airport Business Park, Rochford, you are guaranteed a great experience with our June Southend Business Partnership Briefing at a exciting new venue with FREE PARKING.
The morning will have on offer: light breakfast, networking opportunities and a round of business updates from local businesses and providers.
The event will consist of two parts (registration and refreshment from 7:30am):7:30-8:30am Networking with a market place
8:30-10:00am SBP briefing with speakers
We are finalising all details at the moment , please check back at a later date for further information.
These meetings are a great opportunity to meet with other local businesses to network, to gather information that could support your business growth and to have the opportunity to express your thoughts on what Southend needs in order to enable businesses to recover and thrive.
If you are not yet a SBP member and wish to receive the monthly SBP newsletter and quarterly briefing invite please subscribe to the Free SBP membership at: www.public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSOUTHENDBC/signup/32490
If you require any further information please contact economicd@southend.gov.uk
