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Small Business Grant Winners
After a wave of enquiries and over 150 applications, the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire team shortlisted 34 aspiring entrepreneurs, who were invited to give a presentation on their new start-up to a panel of judges in a Dragon’s Den style elevator pitch.
The Small Business Grants panel consisted of the BIPC Northamptonshire team and representatives from Building Business Consultancy and Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. After several days of presentations, the shortlist was narrowed down to 19 winners of the Reset. Restart Small Business Grant.
Click on profile images below to learn more about our winners.
Attain Coaching, Cate Gregory
Attain Coaching helps talented individuals and teams reach their full potential. After witnessing first-hand, the transformative effects of coaching, Attain’s founder Cate decided to explore coaching further and trained as a coach and mentor.
Cate combines her training, many years of commercial and senior leadership experience and an entire lifetime of research into psychology and human behaviour. She provides a range of coaching and development programmes for individuals, corporations and entrepreneurs.
One area Cate is particularly passionate about is developing women. Her Flourishing Females programme helps women to gain the self-confidence, skills and knowledge to rise to the top.
Cate combines her training, many years of commercial and senior leadership experience and an entire lifetime of research into psychology and human behaviour. She provides a range of coaching and development programmes for individuals, corporations and entrepreneurs.
One area Cate is particularly passionate about is developing women. Her Flourishing Females programme helps women to gain the self-confidence, skills and knowledge to rise to the top.
Career Catapult, Esther Greenwood & James Gage
Career Catapult was born during the pandemic of 2020 when Esther and James became acutely aware of the mental strain that searching for work puts on the individual.
They developed an online training platform that’s been specifically designed to prepare individuals for the job market in competitive times; it not only focusses on the skills they need to apply and be offered a role, but it also heavily focusses on the impact that unemployment has on their mental health with courses on emotional well-being, mindfulness, gaining more sleep, handling relationship pressures and financial stresses.
With over a 100 pieces of learning so far, the co-founders are committed to continually adding valuable material that not only helps people secure work but also supports them when they are in work to develop their career further.
They developed an online training platform that’s been specifically designed to prepare individuals for the job market in competitive times; it not only focusses on the skills they need to apply and be offered a role, but it also heavily focusses on the impact that unemployment has on their mental health with courses on emotional well-being, mindfulness, gaining more sleep, handling relationship pressures and financial stresses.
With over a 100 pieces of learning so far, the co-founders are committed to continually adding valuable material that not only helps people secure work but also supports them when they are in work to develop their career further.
Form Five, Matthew Abraham & Matthew Kemshed
FormFive is able to fulfil complete construction services from viability studies to build completion. FormFive operates a five-tier system that can be adapted to any construction requirement of its clients.
Founded by Matthew Abraham and Matthew Kemshed, FormFive has a clear and ambitious vision; to be an industry leader in construction that transforms the traditional delivery of a construction project into a collaborative, modern and inclusive process for its clients.
As a main contractor, FormFive will maintain first class services and defragment the cycle of the project so that the client has the ability to collaborate directly with the design and development from day one.
The unique ability to take construction from viability study to build completion will reduce costs and simplify the overall project.
Founded by Matthew Abraham and Matthew Kemshed, FormFive has a clear and ambitious vision; to be an industry leader in construction that transforms the traditional delivery of a construction project into a collaborative, modern and inclusive process for its clients.
As a main contractor, FormFive will maintain first class services and defragment the cycle of the project so that the client has the ability to collaborate directly with the design and development from day one.
The unique ability to take construction from viability study to build completion will reduce costs and simplify the overall project.
Goldings Communications, Kim Hughes
Goldings Communications delivers results-driven storytelling and multi-channel content creation with a strategic purpose – PR and reputation management, targeted media relations, stakeholder and employee communications, and much more.
We act as brand journalists, helping to uncover the stories and key messages that truly engage and resonate with audiences – always thinking about how to best communicate them in a way that is aligned with our clients’ objectives.
As highly-skilled, accredited communications professionals, the organisations we work with are confident in our ability to achieve measurable outcomes through consistent, credible and captivating brand messages.
We act as brand journalists, helping to uncover the stories and key messages that truly engage and resonate with audiences – always thinking about how to best communicate them in a way that is aligned with our clients’ objectives.
As highly-skilled, accredited communications professionals, the organisations we work with are confident in our ability to achieve measurable outcomes through consistent, credible and captivating brand messages.
Jolibi, Agi Brodzinski
We are all washing our hands a lot more these days, so why not think about switching to skin-loving Jolibi soaps inspired by people and nature. We make our soaps by hand in small batches using sustainable vegan ingredients and better still they generate zero waste and use compostable packaging. Our soaps embody the very essence of nature itself by using natural ingredients like pure plant-based oils and natural clays. So, if you’d like a touch of nature on your skin the next time you wash your hands then think and use Jolibi.
Think nature, think Jolibi
Think nature, think Jolibi
Kirsch Home, Rebecca Kirsch
Kirsch Home is a biophilic homeware brand and consultancy with a mission to transform living spaces into more natural human habitats.
Creating spaces that are full of plant-life and natural elements brings enormous mental and physical benefits, energizing your home and office.
Kirsch Home makes it easy to integrate nature into every part of your life, offering inventive products designed to take the guesswork out of growing, cultivating and maintaining greener interiors.
Alongside our collection of plant-ware and décor we offer a bespoke bio-design service, visioning impressive plant schemes that will bring life and creativity into your office or home.
Creating spaces that are full of plant-life and natural elements brings enormous mental and physical benefits, energizing your home and office.
Kirsch Home makes it easy to integrate nature into every part of your life, offering inventive products designed to take the guesswork out of growing, cultivating and maintaining greener interiors.
Alongside our collection of plant-ware and décor we offer a bespoke bio-design service, visioning impressive plant schemes that will bring life and creativity into your office or home.
Knight Shift Virtual Assistant Services, Laurie Knight
Knight Shift Virtual Assistant Services offers bespoke business support specifically to 'Purpose-led' businesses, entrepreneurs and sole traders.
We work with enterprises with an underlying social or environmental focus. to implement strategy and processes, promoting sustainability and growth.
Purpose-led ventures are known to grow twice as fast as traditional businesses and retain customer loyalty and employee engagement.
From virtual reception and customer service, to social media presence and project initiation - 'Purpose-driven Practicalities'.
We work with enterprises with an underlying social or environmental focus. to implement strategy and processes, promoting sustainability and growth.
Purpose-led ventures are known to grow twice as fast as traditional businesses and retain customer loyalty and employee engagement.
From virtual reception and customer service, to social media presence and project initiation - 'Purpose-driven Practicalities'.
Lacerta Design, Rhiannon Griffiths
Lacerta Design is an independent graphic design business, working on both digital and print design, with a focus on sustainable design and working with local businesses. The design services I offer include logo design, various aspects of advertising, packaging, social media and website assets, as well as layout design and website layouts. However, I have experience in other areas and I am happy to work on new projects and learn about new sectors. Advice and help with graphic design projects that have already started, or ideas on how to get started on a design project, are also available.
Made for Belle & Friends, Lorna Chamberlain
Made for Belle & Friends is a UK based business that sells made to order, handmade children’s clothes. In sizes 0-3 months to 5 years in a range of custom fabrics to suit boys, girls and unisex options.
Each garment is handmade to order. From the creation of fabrics, cutting, sewing and packing the order off to its new home. Offering a personal and friendly service for parents, family and friends.
Made for Belle & Friends is for anyone that needs practical clothing for the growing children in their lives with fabrics to suit their little one’s personalities.
Each garment is handmade to order. From the creation of fabrics, cutting, sewing and packing the order off to its new home. Offering a personal and friendly service for parents, family and friends.
Made for Belle & Friends is for anyone that needs practical clothing for the growing children in their lives with fabrics to suit their little one’s personalities.
Personal Strengths Coaching, Nicola Jackson
Personal Strengths Coaching helps individuals understand their strengths (the things that give them energy) to help individuals with confidence and organisations with team productivity and morale.
I have a partnership with Strengthscope, whose online strengths tool is registered with the British Psychological Society. Employees working with strengths is proven to support Wellbeing, Problem Solving, Confidence building, Team working, Motivation and Productivity.
I run a coaching programme for Individuals supporting them in using their strengths to achieve their business goals.
I complete a Teams programme, helping you better understand what makes your team truly unique and how to drive up positive team behaviours.
I have a partnership with Strengthscope, whose online strengths tool is registered with the British Psychological Society. Employees working with strengths is proven to support Wellbeing, Problem Solving, Confidence building, Team working, Motivation and Productivity.
I run a coaching programme for Individuals supporting them in using their strengths to achieve their business goals.
I complete a Teams programme, helping you better understand what makes your team truly unique and how to drive up positive team behaviours.
Pieces Academy, Kiran Tehara
Pieces Academy is a holistic learning experience for the future of work and societies. We seek to explore our emotional, social and intellectual needs through self-guided learning formats which are accessible to all. It's a safe place to learn and unlearn habits to transform ourselves into more whole beings.
Our content authentically conveys a point of view that reflects the raw reality of our world. We seek to discover what it means to be human in the age of technology. With a focus on holistic skills - shaping us to become adaptable and empowered - during this time of industrial revolution and human evolution.
Our content authentically conveys a point of view that reflects the raw reality of our world. We seek to discover what it means to be human in the age of technology. With a focus on holistic skills - shaping us to become adaptable and empowered - during this time of industrial revolution and human evolution.
Saints Coffee, Ben Francoise
Saints Coffee is a social enterprise offering specialty and ethical coffee, casual dining, cocktails and a pop-up space in the heart of Northampton and coffee and chocolate online.
25% of their profits fund community projects to help tackle mental health issues, as well as promote social justice and social mobility.
These projects help:
• School children overcoming barriers such as discrimination and aspiring to achieve more
• Individuals struggling with mental health issues related to social isolation
• People furthest from the labour market back into employment.
Business intro (if can't use bullet points):
Saints Coffee is a social enterprise offering specialty and ethical coffee, casual dining, cocktails and a pop-up space in the heart of Northampton and coffee and chocolate online.
25% of their profits fund community projects to help tackle mental health issues, as well as promote social justice and social mobility.
These projects help school children overcoming barriers such as discrimination and aspiring to achieve more; individuals struggling with mental health issues related to social isolation; and people furthest from the labour market back into employment.
25% of their profits fund community projects to help tackle mental health issues, as well as promote social justice and social mobility.
These projects help:
• School children overcoming barriers such as discrimination and aspiring to achieve more
• Individuals struggling with mental health issues related to social isolation
• People furthest from the labour market back into employment.
Business intro (if can't use bullet points):
Saints Coffee is a social enterprise offering specialty and ethical coffee, casual dining, cocktails and a pop-up space in the heart of Northampton and coffee and chocolate online.
25% of their profits fund community projects to help tackle mental health issues, as well as promote social justice and social mobility.
These projects help school children overcoming barriers such as discrimination and aspiring to achieve more; individuals struggling with mental health issues related to social isolation; and people furthest from the labour market back into employment.
YooKanToo Therapy, Kellie Ceccarelli
Kellie Ceccarelli, Psychotherapist and Founder of YooKanToo Therapy offers simple and transformative therapy for people seeking freedom and real ease from unwanted behaviours and habits.
Focusing on healing past traumas Kellie says,
‘All humans have to deal with mental health, no one is immune from it because we all experience negativity, heartache and trauma, it’s part of the human experience. But in today’s world, poor mental health and well-being are under such constant strain it’s difficult for people to know how to begin healing’
Kellie believes that everything starts with a thought and there is no need for anybody to suffer. Whether it be an anxiety disorder, a phobia or an eating disorder, they are all learned coping mechanisms and therefore can be unlearned.
By compassionately and swiftly addressing root causes, Kellie guides her clients to help them heal and transform themselves so they can enjoy the happy life they were intended for.
Book a one-to-one advice session
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