Leeds City Region Exploring Enterprise Pre Start-Up Programme

The focus of this commission is individuals who are exploring business start-up as an employment / lifestyle option. The programme is expected to deliver both one-to-many support through online training, events, workshops and seminars. The split of this will be determined by the individual respondents to the tender. The support package will need to cover key areas, including identifying the need/market research, creating an idea, networking, understanding different types of businesses, and financial support. And to provide scope to adapt the programme to changes in the needs and demand from participants. We are looking for a mixed delivery model which includes both on-line and in-person delivery to best meet the needs of the target group. This is to ensure that delivery continue regardless of any future COVID-19 restrictions, and also to take advantage of some of the benefits of on-line delivery. Due to the current uncertainty of the COVID-19 restrictions, we expect all delivery within the first six months of the contract to be online, and that this will be reviewed at the six-month point to determine the future delivery model. It is our preference to have some in-person delivery within the programme as there are clear and proven benefits to this in terms of peer support and local engagement. However, this can only take place when it is safe and lawful to do so, hence, the six-months review date. An element of peer learning and support is also encouraged so that the individuals have the opportunity to meet, network and share experiences. Bidders should also consider the role of inspirational case studies, and real-world example of those people who have successfully started and grown a new enterprise, in supporting individual participating on the programme. This can address the barriers that people feel exist to prevent them starting up a business.Ensuring that the support available is promoted to, and accessed by, a diverse range of groups and across the full West Yorkshire geography is critical to the programme’s success. Any future physical events need to be delivered in accessible venues with good coverage across all the district of West Yorkshire, and serious consideration given to identifying and overcoming any barriers to engagement. Online events will need to be delivered in an inclusive manner, taking account of common barriers to participation. We will expect the successful delivery partner(s) to ensure that delivery outcomes by geography and to equality groups are representative of West Yorkshire, put in place systems for monitoring engagement, and meet benchmarks for delivery by both geography and equality groups. It is a key requirement that support delivered complements and does not duplicate existing pre start-up provision in West Yorkshire, the successful contractor will be expected to work closely with existing provision and the other workstreams in the programme.The appointed delivery partner(s) will need to clearly demonstrate the ability to mobilise quickly and efficiently, and we anticipate that client-facing delivery will commence in September 2021.