About the Program - United Kingdom

Small businesses and social enterprises play a vital role in creating jobs and driving economic growth in the United Kingdom.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK program is designed to provide high-quality, practical support to the owners and leaders of established small businesses and social enterprises as they seek to grow.

The program is delivered through a network of local partners who combine relevant academic expertise and extensive experience working with the owners and leaders of small businesses.

10,000 Small Businesses in the UK is currently open to applications from small businesses and social enterprises in London, Midlands, North West of England and Yorkshire.

How it Works

The program brings together leaders of small businesses from across industry sectors and creates unique networking and peer learning opportunities.

For those small business leaders selected to participate, the core of the program is a high quality, practically-focused business and management education, delivered over twelve sessions lasting approximately 100 hours. The program has been designed specifically for this program by world-class international, national and local experts in entrepreneurial learning.

During the course of the program every small business owner develops a customised Growth Plan to direct their organisation’s business strategy and expansion.

Participants also benefit from a range of business support services, including:

  • Specialist workshops
  • One-on-one business advising
  • Coaching / mentoring
  • Access to professional experts
  • Networking opportunities and
  • Alumni services

Our Partners

10,000 Small Businesses in the UK has been designed by world-class international, national and local experts in entrepreneurial learning.

Our partners include:

  • Aston Business School, Aston University
  • Leeds University Business School
  • Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
  • Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
  • University College London (UCL)

Eligibility

The program is offered on a fully funded basis to small businesses and social enterprise leaders who desire to grow their businesses, create local employment and have scalable business models. This program is not intended for start-up businesses, sole traders or businesses that are not seeking to grow.

The following eligibility criteria also apply:

  • The applicant must be the primary owner / co-owner of the business, or the most senior decision-maker if the business is not limited by shares
     
  • The business must have been operating for at least one year and will generally have between five and 40 employees
     
  • Social enterprise applicants must be commercially operated businesses that achieve their social purpose through trading rather than grant funding
     
  • The business must be scalable and capable of generating additional local employment
     
  • Applicants should not have extensive recent management education
     
  • Preference will be given to those businesses operating in or on behalf of disadvantaged communities or regeneration areas.

The program currently operates in London, Midlands, North West of England and Yorkshire. For further information and to apply, please visit our partners’ websites:

London - University College London (UCL)

Midlands – Aston University

North West England – Manchester Metropolitan University Business School's website

Yorkshire – Leeds University Business School

 

We are currently accepting applications for the program in all regions.  Please click on a link above to find out more.