Solent Business Support Hub One Stop Shop: 2016/17 - 2017/18

Solent LEP is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced providers to tender for this project. This invitation to tender is seeking a provider of a Solent Business Support Hub one stop shop. The Solent Business Support Hub one stop shop service for 2016/17 - 2017/18 will need to provide the following range of services to Solent Businesses and Entrepreneurs: • Act as a single point of contact through which all enterprises, including social enterprises, will be able to access advice and information on local and national support programmes. • Help enterprises to become ‘finance ready’, with strong business plans capable of attracting finance from banks, business angels, equity finance, Solent LEP funding programmes and our Access to Finance initiative (set out in the EUSIF Strategy). • Make appropriate referrals, where beneficial. • Assist new business start-ups. • Help businesses to expand into new markets, making referrals to UKTI and local Inward Investment Services for the Solent LEP area • Assist SMEs to help develop and implement strategies focused on: o e-commerce and the extension of markets, nationally and internationally; and o improving the efficiency of business processes, through the activities such as web-based invoicing, cloud computing, borderless collaboration and flexible/remote working . • Appropriate and clear signposting to content and tools on GOV.UK and GREATbusiness.gov.uk will be available on the website and at business support events • Signpost specific advice to innovative companies, drawing on the area Higher Education Institutions and InnovateUK. The initial contract period will be for approximately 1 year and 9 months subject to performance and agreement of all parties. The closing date for receipt of your expression of interest is given against the heading entitled - Date documents can be requested until