[smoothonline]

Hi

I'm meeting the princes trust to discuss an enterprice award grant for my new photography business.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of working with them? And has had a grant?

There are 3 stages from what I understand:

1. Meeting with business mentors to discuss awards/scheme
2. 4 day workshop in setting up new business e.g. booking keeping, tax etc
3. Write a business plan, and present it to the 'board' with request for your grant.

It sounds alot of work but I probably need to attend the course purely to make sure I'm running things correctly,

Thanks
Char

[MikeChipshop]

Spent ten years working as a mediator between the princess trust and prospective awardees.
Can tell you now they are very stringent on what they will hand out and whom too (for a good reason obviously).

By all means go for it but if you happen to be under-privileged or disabled, you'll have a much better chance.

Just make sure you have EVERYTHING written down. Unfortunately i left all my examples at work work when i was made redundant otherwise i would have sent you them to look through. If you want me to have a look at some of the paper work then feel free to drop me a PM.

EDIT: I think i miss-read your post a tad.
Totally worth going to a course!

This post has been edited by MikeChipshop: 14 October 2011 - 02:12 PM

[smoothonline]

Hi.

They told me I meet the criteria for the grant because I am aged 18-30 years old, setting up a new business and work under 16 hours on my current business.

I will be going for the course regardless.

[MikeChipshop]

Meeting the criteria and actually qualifying for the grant are to different things completely.
Many, many people whom meet the criteria apply every month and only a fraction get anything from it.

Go on the course, the princess trust and partners are some of the most helpful people you'll ever have the pleasure to talk with and no one will be able to push you in the right direction quite like them.