Swindon Enterprise Gateway launches on 2 November

A range of initiatives that will help strengthen and develop Swindon's businesses community will officially be launched on Tuesday 2 November

The Swindon Enterprise Gateway is being set up by the University of Bath in Swindon to provide companies and business entrepreneurs with practical advice and guidance, and to offer them access to business resources and facilities. The project will incorporate a range of new initiatives as well as the existing M4 Business Resource Centre and the Innovation Centre, which helps entrepreneurs start and develop their businesses.

Among the new initiatives to be announced at the launch is Entrepreneurs South West - a seminar series that will give small business owners and managers the chance to discuss important business issues with some of Europe's leading business thinkers.

The free seminar series will start on Wednesday 10 November with a seminar on marketing by David Kirby, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Surrey. On Wednesday 17 November, Sue Stockdale, the first British woman to walk to the magnetic North Pole, will give a seminar on motivation and enterprise for women timed to coincide with OWomen's Day' of national 'Enterprise week'.

Other initiatives in the Enterprise Gateway include the resources of the Small Business Hub and the Women into Enterprise project. Both the Entrepreneurs South West and the Women into Enterprise initiatives are part funded by the European Social Fund.

"The Enterprise Gateway will provide Swindon with a unique suite of business support services and initiatives," said Dr Faith Butt, Director of the University's Oakfield campus. "The University's strengths in research, education and training are matched with extensive experience in supporting the growth and development of business opportunities.

"We have been working closely with a range of partners in the town so that we can provide the quality and range of services that businesses need. As it grows, the University will play an increasingly important role in helping support the local business community.

"We are delighted that Nationwide, one of the town's flagship companies, has agreed to sponsor this launch, and we look forward to working closely with them, and Swindon's other leading institutions, over the coming years."

Simon Bond, Acting Director of the Innovation Centre at the Oakfield site added: "Many start-up businesses are unaware of the support that is available. By working closely with other partners to raise the profile of support and by bringing its own areas of expertise, the University can make a major contribution to local businesses. For example, the Swindon Innovation Centre, which based at the University, provides a dedicated environment where technology-based start-up enterprises can accelerate their business planning, fund raising and growth."

The University is already working closely with other organisations in the town and the Swindon Chamber of Commerce has organised a Networking Breakfast Meeting at The M4 Business Resource centre of the University on Tuesday 23 November. The Centre helps companies access business information such as contact lists, market research and company news and analysis.

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University of Bath in Swindon's first campus, Oakfield, opened in 2000 and now offers a range of learning opportunities including business education, evening classes and courses leading to a range of undergraduate programmes. The University's many business initiatives in the town, including the Innovation Centre, the Enterprise Gateway and the Women into Enterprise scheme, are also helping support the Swindon economy.

www.bath.ac.uk/swindon