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Transmit helps small businesses fight back by sponsoring training

The Gateshead-based team behind Transmit Startups and Smarta has announced plans to sponsor access to its Smarta business courses for 1,000 small businesses, in an effort to help entrepreneurs thrive in times of uncertainty.

As Transmit Startups marks 10 years of providing Start Up Loans to over 12,000 businesses, the Transmit team is helping firms navigate a challenging landscape by providing 100% funded sponsorship to companies interested in its Smarta training courses.

The first 1,000 businesses that express an interest in the sponsorship will have access to Smarta’s suite of on-demand video training courses, industry-leading learning materials and experienced tutors.

Smarta’s range of business courses gives entrepreneurs the tools, knowledge and confidence to grow their business and covers everything from starting a company, managing finances to implementing a sales and marketing strategy.

Doing the right thing, not the easy thing

Damian Baetens, Transmit’s Business Support Director, said:

“Over the last 10 years we have seen just how important small businesses are to the UK economy.

“Amid the backdrop of Brexit, inflation and soaring energy costs, we know money is tight, and people are facing impossible choices right now. We want to do everything to support businesses, and by covering the costs of access to new skills, we can give them the tools to learn, grow and thrive.

“One of our company values is to do the right thing, not the easy thing, for our customers; in this case, the right thing is to give them the resources to be able to fight back.”

Having helped over 12,000 entrepreneurs grow and scale their business, whilst building up a team of 45 people, Transmit knows the impact that their support and expertise has on small businesses.

Our startup story: Gillian and Simon from Gateshead

Gillian Hauxwell and Simon Evans, founders of Strong Point, are among thousands of Transmit success stories. Having received a Start Up Loan from Transmit Startups, the couple enrolled on Smarta’s Business Fundamentals course to find out how to make a business from the card-based trivia game they invented. After working through the on-demand course, they now have the skills, confidence and community to really get going.

Gillian said:

“The support from Transmit has given us the best possible start. Our Start Up Loan covered our initial production costs and then the training we received gave us a deeper understanding about how to run a successful business. It gave us skills we could put to use straight away and the things we learned have really stuck with us.

“It’s easy to feel a little daunted by the prospect of launching your own business so the thought of becoming part of a community of like-minded people was very attractive.

“We’re now really excited to see where the Strong Point brand can take us. We are already stocked on Amazon and the great reviews we’ve received gives us confidence we’ll be on the Christmas lists of families across the land in 2022! Our vision is to see the first edition successful enough that we can expand into other editions, and overseas markets.”

Get to grips with running your business

Following its launch in 2021, Smarta has provided support to thousands of entrepreneurs by delivering membership services that enable companies to trade with like-minded organisations - along with their on-demand business courses.

With demand for Smarta’s services set to increase, Damian said the team has ambitious plans to expand its offer and has set its sights on helping thousands more entrepreneurs get to grips with running their businesses.

“Over the last 12 months, we have seen huge growth and businesses have really benefited from our range of services. Our proposition of delivering accessible, qualification-standard education, grounded in real-life entrepreneurial experience, has resonated with ambitious businesses and the feedback has been fantastic. We have already helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK, and we look forward to helping thousands more in 2022 and beyond,”

How to access sponsored training for you or your business

Are the courses right for me?

Smarta’s business training is perfect for:

• Professional development and career progression
• Business owners, managers and senior decision makers
• Those looking to start their own business or side hustle
• Anyone wanting a better understanding of how small businesses work!

What courses are sponsored?

On-demand courses include: Smarta Business Fundamentals. Learn the skills you’ll need to start or grow your business - from testing out your idea with market research, to writing a budget and business plan. Smarta Startup Essentials. Learn the legal requirements for starting and running a UK business. Crack on with confidence knowing your business is legal and compliant. Smarta Marketing. Learn how to plan, create and implement your marketing strategies and grow a profitable business. Smarta Digital Marketing. Get the skills and tools to create a digital strategy that gets results for your business.

A range of other courses designed to grow businesses and accelerate careers are also available and funding from the European Social Fund means some North East postcodes can access fully funded places on these too.

Who’s behind the training?

Smarta is delivered by the team behind Transmit Startups and provides a range of services helping businesses to scale. Transmit Startups is the UK’s biggest provider of Start Up Loans, providing finance, support and mentoring to new and existing entrepreneurs alike.

The company – created by Richard Myers, Damian Baetens and Ian Straker – employs 45 people across its head office at Gateshead’s Northern Design Centre, plus bases in London and Scotland.

Want to know more?

Take a look at our sponsored courses, and register your interest, here: https://smarta.com/1000

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