Somerset business owners looking to grow, adapt or tackle new challenges this spring are being invited to apply for a fully funded mentoring programme offering 6 hours of expert support over 6 months.
The Somerset Business Mentoring Programme, delivered by Somerset Council, matches local small and medium-sized businesses with experienced mentors who can provide tailored guidance on issues such as marketing, finance, leadership, growth strategy and scaling up.
With only 10 mentee places available, this is a rare opportunity for business owners to access personalised, practical advice from people who have successfully led and grown organisations themselves.
What the programme offers
Each mentee will receive:
- 6 hours of free 1-to-1 mentoring over a 6-month period
- Strategic support tailored to their business – from profit and pricing to finding new markets, improving operations or planning for growth
- An impartial sounding board to help test ideas, spot opportunities and navigate challenges with more confidence
Mentors have been selected from senior leaders and successful entrepreneurs, including a former NASDAQ CEO, a multi-national soft drinks manufacturer, a multi-million pound NHS equipment supplier, and a senior transformation executive working with UK and US businesses.
All mentors understand the realities of running and growing a business and can support in areas such as:
- Growth strategy and scaling up
- Finance and cash flow
- Marketing and customer acquisition
- HR and team development
- E-commerce and digital
- Bid writing, acquisition and exit planning
Previous mentees have reported increased clarity, renewed focus and practical changes that have improved productivity and helped them plan for the future.
Who can apply?
To qualify for the Somerset Business Mentoring Programme, you must:
- Run a business based in Somerset
- Pay your taxes or business rates to Somerset Council
- Have been trading for over 1 year
- Have 2 or more employees (excluding directors)
The programme is open to SMEs across all sectors, as long as they meet the criteria above and are ready to engage actively with the mentoring process.
How to apply
Business owners who would like to be considered can apply online via Somerset Council’s “Apply to be a mentee” form.
The application takes around 5 minutes to complete and asks for basic business details and eligibility information.
With only 10 places available, interested businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
