Made in Bury Business Academy focus on helping new start-up businesses in their early years. In the UK, 6 out of 10 new start-up businesses fail within 2 years; they're here to change that statistic!

After speaking to many new start-ups, they identified their needs:

-       A support network of like-minded people going through the same challenges.

-       An understanding of the range of skills required to build and grow a successful business.

-       Access to a mentor, someone who has been there and done it.

-       Access to funding in the early stages when they need it most.

There was nowhere to find all these things under one roof, so in early 2016, the Made in Bury Business Academy was established.

Partners, Debi and Phil Fellone created 18 business modules based on their real-life business experiences. The modules cover everything from vision, mission, and values through to marketing, networking, and building a brand.

Over 12 months, a cohort of 20 start-up businesses came together for 2 hours twice a month at BusinessLodge. Debi and Phil delivered the modules with assistance from several fantastic local businesses in Bury, who added real value as guest speakers, sharing their expertise.

The Business Academy is funded by The Made in Bury Weekly £2000 Draw, a not-for-profit initiative, licensed by Bury Council, which will also be providing interest free loans to start-up businesses, helping retain and create jobs in Bury.

Fast forward almost 7 years and 125 start-ups have come through the Academy with a clear cohesive business plan. With over 70% of them still trading today, that’s over double the national statistics!

Debi and Phil have been focusing all their time and energy on the next chapter of the Academy and are very proud to officially unveil, The Made in Bury Business Academy Patrons Club.

The Patrons Club are a collective of 11 outstanding local businesses with the shared vision of helping the next generation of Business owners; nurturing and developing successful entrepreneurship in Bury.

In association with headline partners Connect Comms and Consilium Wealth Management, the Patrons will provide a mentoring resource to the Academy start-ups. Once they reach the target of 2,400 Weekly £2000 Draw tickets, the Patrons will also sit on the loan panel providing interest free loans to Bury start-up businesses: a first in the UK! Reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to 'helping tomorrow's businesses today.'

To find out more, click here.