14th Aug 2008
What is Big Fish?
Big Fish is an exciting new business support campaign led by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and supported by Business Link East (BLE).
It opens the door to EEDA's full programme of support and is aimed at all the region's entrepreneurs from those working on an idea to those looking to grow an existing business.
It builds on the success of 'running the gauntlet' but is more focused on the individual needs of each entrepreneur or company and, as an opened ended programme, allows companies to move at their own pace, drawing on the advice and help they need at each stage of their development without the constraints of a competition timetable.
The new programme is a journey that can be travelled in its entirety or in part depending on the entrepreneur/company's stage of development. The journey beings with an online diagnostic and maximises the knowledge and experience of selected Business Link advisers.
For companies concertedly looking to grow, more in depth and tailored support is available. This includes a new investment readiness programme which will be available (from early 2009) to help companies refine their business proposition and ensure they are attractive propositions for our investor community which includes EEDA's grant funding team, banks, angel investors and venture capitals.
Big Fish Bootcamp Launch Event
The campaign officially launches on 6 October 2008 with an innovative Bootcamp event. This gives over 200 of the region's entrepreneurs the chance to spend a challenging but fun day putting their idea or business through its paces and learning from Doug Richard, serial entrepreneur and angel investor.
Find out more at www.bigfish4business.com
