St Helens Business Launchpad

03/09/2026

Join us at Mercure St Helens Hotel on Tuesday, 13 October, for an impactful networking event designed to bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and organisations from across the borough.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or joining us for the first time, this event offers strengthening connections and sparking ideas.

What to expect
✅Inspiring guest speaker offering fresh perspectives
✅Bitesize workshop led by one of our expert associates
✅Relaxed networking with like‑minded professionals from across St Helens

Previous participants consistently highlight how valuable and enjoyable these sessions are you won’t want to miss it. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-helens-connect-networking-for-all-tickets-1997143208097?aff=erelpanelorg -card

01/09/2026

September brings a series of workshops and networking sessions to help St Helens businesses build skills, explore new opportunities and connect with peers.

If you’re looking to strengthen your business this autumn, these sessions are a great place to start. Take a look at what’s coming up and secure your place.

St Helens Digital & Creative Connect

📅 2 September 📍 St Helens Town Hall
Connect with creatives, digital professionals, designers and developers across St Helens.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989229699580?aff=oddtdtcreator

Elevate: St Helens Business Bootcamp

📅 9 September 📍 BrewDog Stadium
A high‑impact bootcamp for micro‑businesses ready to accelerate growth.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1993513619901?aff=oddtdtcreator

Finding New Products and Markets

📅 10 September 💻 Online
Explore new product ideas, markets and opportunities for expansion.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1992047164694?aff=oddtdtcreator

AI to Achieve Efficiency with Tendering

📅 17 September 💻 Online
Learn how AI can streamline tendering and improve bid efficiency.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988820538769?aff=oddtdtcreator

Grow Your Business with Apprenticeships: Funding, Skills & Support for SMEs

📅 17 September 📍 NatwWest, St Helens
Understand funding, skills development and support available for SMEs.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1998957797583?aff=oddtdtcreator

Start‑Up Growth Workshop: NatWest Accelerator

📅 30 September 📍 NatwWest, St Helens
Strengthen your business model and explore NatWest Accelerator support.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1992119677582?aff=oddtdtcreator

27/08/2026

Developing a skilled workforce is one of the most effective ways SMEs can accelerate growth.

If you’re looking to recruit new talent, upskill your existing team, or understand what funding is available to support workforce development, this event will provide practical guidance.

Join IN4 Group for a practical session covering:

• How apprenticeships can address skills gaps
• Funding options and Government incentives
• Levy transfer opportunities across LCR and Cheshire & Warrington
• Local business support available to help you grow

Perfect for business owners, managers and decision‑makers across St Helens.

Register your interest today - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grow-your-business-with-apprenticeships-funding-skills-support-for-smes-tickets-1998957797583?aff=oddtdtcreator

25/08/2026

Our current series, Enterprises Developing New Products and Services, concludes soon and the final workshop is approaching.

📌 Finding New Products and Markets
📅 Thursday 10 September
🕘 9:00am – 11:00am
💻 Online

If you’re looking to strengthen your product or service offering, this session provides a practical framework to identify opportunities and build market insight. Reserve your place: https://lnkd.in/eReBsxtB

Next, we begin our new series: Enterprises Adopting New Technology and/or Processes.

This series is designed to help businesses explore, adopt, and implement new technologies and operational improvements that support growth and efficiency. If you’re interested in developing your capabilities, you can sign up for the workshops that best fit your needs.

Explore the full series: Enterprises Adopting New Technology and/or Processes - https://lnkd.in/eW3A5w5f

20/08/2026

Ready to explore new markets or develop fresh products and services?

Join Edward Ryder from Biskit Ltd for a practical workshop designed to help small businesses in St Helens identify opportunities, strengthen market insight, and build a clear plan for growth.

📅 Thursday 10 September 2026
🕘 9:00am – 11:00am
💻 Online

Whether you’re B2B or B2C, the Finding New Products and Markets workshop gives you a structured starting point to strengthen your product and service offering.

Reserve place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-helens-workshop-finding-new-products-and-markets-tickets-1992047164694?aff=oddtdtcreator

18/08/2026

Strengthening your growth strategy starts with building clarity, focus and direction.

Sharpen Strategic Focus
Cut through the noise and define the direction your business is truly aiming for.

Turn Insight Into Action
Transform ideas into practical steps with a clear, structured action plan.

Strengthen Operational Foundations
Build the systems and processes that support sustainable, long‑term growth.

This is a fully funded bootcamp is designed to help you move forward with purpose and clarity.

📅 Wednesday, 9th September 2026
📍 BrewDog Stadium
🕘 09:00–16:00 GMT

Secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1993513619901?aff=oddtdtcreator

13/08/2026

Gain the clarity, tools and expert support you need to accelerate your early‑stage business growth.

If you’re an early‑stage founder, this NatWest Accelerator workshop is designed to strengthen your financial foundations and give you practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence.

Start‑Up Growth Workshop: NatWest Accelerator

📍 NatWest St Helens
📅 Wednesday 30 September, 9am–12pm

We’re partnering with NatWest to deliver a focused, high‑impact session for founders who want structured support and a stronger base for growth. A few spots remain for this session.

You’ll get a clear overview of how the NatWest Accelerator supports founder development, practical guidance for early‑stage challenges, insight into funding and grant opportunities, direct access to experienced mentors, and stronger confidence in making informed business decisions.

Register here if this is of interest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-growth-workshop-natwest-accelerator-tickets-1992119677582?aff=oddtdtcreator

Start‑Up Growth Programme: Build Strong Foundations for Your New Business

11/08/2026

Strong networks don’t just open doors they accelerate growth.

A recent Forbes article explores how successful women turn their networks into a strategic advantage by showing up consistently, contributing generously, and building trust long before they need support. It’s a reminder that opportunity often begins with participation, visibility and community.

🔗 Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/committeeof200/2026/08/04/how-successful-women-turn-their-networks-into-a-business-strategy/

This is exactly what SHEaccelerates was designed to create for female‑founded businesses in St Helens.

Through peer support, mentoring, and direct access to decision‑makers, past participants have strengthened their confidence, refined their strategy, and unlocked opportunities that helped them move their businesses forward faster than they could alone.

If you’re ready to grow within a network that lifts you, challenges you, and advocates for you, this programme will be great for you. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10XJMJYrxG9vb--zDEH0xnGDdoAIJ3o3sPmGtHnkRgRI/viewform?edit_requested=true

Applications close on 14 August.

Please note, we are currently only accepting applications for this programme from female founded businesses in St Helens. Thank you for registering your interest in SHEaccelerates - dynamic and empowering growth programme tailored specifically for female-founded businesses in St Helens. Please compl...

06/08/2026

Applications close next week if you’re ready to step back, think differently and strengthen your strategy, now is the time to apply.

The Accelerate Peer to Peer Programme gives established business owners the space to think more clearly, plan more confidently and accelerate their growth alongside other leaders.

By the end of the programme, you’ll have clearer organisational insight, sharper opportunities and challenges, a future‑focused strategy, a practical growth plan and a strong peer network to support your next steps.

Applications close 14 August - secure your place while spaces remain.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pReBn_1kwLPUXdyfX_yMjw5ZYM4B-egxik_a_-fqLY0/viewform?edit_requested=true

04/08/2026

Feedback like this captures exactly what SHEaccelerates is about, women supporting women, building networks, and creating momentum together.

Our next cohort begins this September, and applications close next week on the 14th of August.

This programme is designed for female founders in St Helens who are ready to elevate their business with structured support, confidence‑building, and a strong peer community.

If you’re ready to invest in your growth or know someone who is we’d love to welcome you into the programme.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10XJMJYrxG9vb--zDEH0xnGDdoAIJ3o3sPmGtHnkRgRI/viewform?edit_requested=true

To find out more information, please email: [email protected]