Birmingham Post - Business News - Enterprise & SMEs

Cameron's Big Society Award goes to Birmingham-based social media surgeries

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:34:00 GMT

David Cameron has recognised the work of Birmingham volunteers who run social media surgeries to help community groups, by handing them the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award.

New EU grants launched to support low carbon vehicle innovations

Birmingham Post — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:01:00 GMT

New EU funding of £480,000 could boost West Midlands SMEs looking to develop low carbon technologies for the niche vehicle sector.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt urges British SMEs to follow Germany's Mittelstand model

Birmingham Post — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:15:00 GMT

A senior Midland MP has advised small businesses to be more like the Germans.

Former Dragons' Den investor Doug Richard says internet can save small businesses

Birmingham Post — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:12:00 GMT

Dragons’ Den veteran Doug Richard has warned this year will be among the toughest environments ever known for small businesses – but urged entrepreneurs to get online to boost sales.

CBI, BCC, BRC and FSB back Youth Contract initiative

Birmingham Post — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:05:00 GMT

Britain’s four biggest business organisations have backed the government's £1bn Youth Contract to tackle unemployment among young people.

Economic gloom takes its toll on personal lives of SME bosses

Birmingham Post — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:40:00 GMT

More than a third of SME owner managers in the West Midlands say that the state of the economy is taking its toll on their personal life, according to new research.

Winners of the Birmingham Post Local Business Accelerators revealed

Birmingham Post — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:28:00 GMT

A start up recruitment firm, a business that produces Sri Lankan sauces and an event management company that specialises in bringing academics and businesses together have all been chosen as winners of the Local Business Accelerators 2011 competition.

Enterprise scheme in Walsall boosts economy by £1m

Birmingham Post — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:15:00 GMT

Leaders of an initiative to boost enterprise in Walsall have said more than 380 jobs have been created or safeguarded and an additional £1 million added to the town’s economy as a result of its work.

Sutton Coldfield firm Cubewano forced to sell patents to foreign firms

Birmingham Post — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:05:00 GMT

Cubewano, based in Sutton Coldfield, which has 11 patents for its engine and military generators, has been forced to sell valuable designs to foreign firms because it can’t access enough support in the UK.

100 new Birmingham firms created through New Enterprise Allowance

Birmingham Post — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Dozens of jobless people have been rescued from the dole queue after more than 100 new businesses were created in Birmingham at a rate of nearly four a week.

Birmingham man's invention to stop motorists putting petrol in diesel cars

Birmingham Post — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:35:00 GMT

An inventor from Birmingham has invented a device which claims to solve the age-old motoring problem of confusing petrol with diesel.

Dragons’ Den winner issues legal warning over IP

Birmingham Post — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:21:00 GMT

An innovative Midlands-based entrepreneur, who successfully secured investment from the Dragons’ Den, has warned that failing to budget for legal advice may mean losing out in the marketplace.

'Gangmaster' warning to firms ahead of Olympic Games

Birmingham Post — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Midland employers who plan to take on more staff for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games have been urged to check the credentials of their “gangmasters.”

Baker Tilly report suggests West Midlands directors remain positive on growth

Birmingham Post — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:57:00 GMT

Directors in the West Midlands are confident about growing their companies over the next 12 months – but are fearful about the futures of the markets they operate in.

Finalists named in Local Business Accelerators competition

Birmingham Post — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:09:00 GMT

The Birmingham Post has announced the seven local businesses, including a fast-growing recruitment firm and a supplier of water coolers, that have made the shortlist in the Local Business Accelerators competition.

Businesses face 40 per cent hike in overheads if markets close - report

Birmingham Post — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Thousands of small and medium-size Midland traders could suffer a crippling 40 per cent increase in their overheads if Birmingham Wholesale Markets are forced to close, according to a research document.

Autumn Statement: Business leaders give their verdict on Osborne's plan

Birmingham Post — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:53:00 GMT

Editor Alun Thorne speaks to West Midlands businesses about how trading prospects have changed in light of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement which followed gloomy figures on the future of the country’s economy.

SME news round-up

Birmingham Post — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:29:00 GMT

A round up of news from the region’s small and medium-sized businesses in the past week.

Autumn Statement: Loan guarantee scheme 'will help SMEs'

Birmingham Post — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:15:00 GMT

Plans revealed by Chancellor George Osborne to hand out up to £40 billion in state-backed loans to small businesses in a bid to unclog the flow of credit have been welcomed.

Recovery 'will take six years', warns Will Hutton

Birmingham Post — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:25:00 GMT

The UK faces a recovery of at least six years while our leading politicians are “sitting on their hands” when it comes to embracing and encouraging innovation, a leading economic commentator has claimed.