Cumbria Chamber and Commerce and Cumbria Business Growth Hub have an opportunity each to sponsor specific activity and make a real difference.

Four day online business start-up course – March and/or May 2026

For over 20 years Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has delivered business support activities to potential entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups.  We’ve supported thousands of individuals and start-ups through various projects and funders based in Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside.

During our time delivering support projects we’ve provided advice, guidance and training to ideas such as hairdressing, beauty, dog walking, takeaways, retailers, DJs, photographers, painters and decorators and dog walkers to big cat hunting, artists, flushable nappies, tattoo artists, travel consultants, numerous inventors and even some of our business adviser team.
Support has been designed over the years to ensure those who start trading are given the best possible chance to start and run a thriving, sustainable and profitable business. We do this by providing the skills and knowledge needed to ensure survival during that all important first year and beyond.

A key part of our comprehensive and flexible support programme is our online four day business start up course which we’ve delivered regularly thanks to project funding. However, with this funding increasingly under pressure, we are now seeking sponsorship to help us continue delivering this vital support. Demand for the course remains strong, we currently run the course online every other month – and we are committed to continuously improving its content and reach. With your support, we can ensure that aspiring Cumbrian entrepreneurs who want to start and run their own business continue to have access to the guidance and support they need.

Delivered by Dodd & Co the course covers areas including business planning, business structure, marketing, social media, promotion, taxation, bookkeeping, MTD, sustainability, banking and credit control.

We’re looking for sponsorship of £2,000 +VAT per course.

Women in Business Network

The Women in Business Network was established to celebrate and bring together women in business, with various events held during the year and since 2022 an annual event to celebrate and recognise International Women’s Day.

We see this as a mutually beneficial partnership giving access to potential new clients, the opportunity to exhibit at International Women’s Day and speak briefly at the other three events. It is a cost effective way of promoting and advertising compared to other more costly avenues. Events are promoted to the Chamber’s database– we always acknowledge sponsorship. We also have excellent reach through our social media channels via the Chamber, Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Made in Cumbria.

Our vision moving forward is to grow the Women in Business network including attracting representation from some of the larger employers within the county. Cumbria is home to 15.6% self-employed female entrepreneurs, this group in particular would benefit from opportunities to extend their network. We will look to grow and increase engagement through regular posting on the Chamber’s LinkedIn group. The network will provide a diverse and engaging range of events and networking opportunities and build on the success of previous years’ International Women’s Day events and our recent fashion focused event.

Our aim is for the network to generate business growth opportunities, development of contacts through networking and events, peer learning, improve skills and knowledge and empower women to celebrate themselves and their successes.
We are looking to secure sponsorship for 2026 of £3,000 +VAT which equates to £750 +VAT per event (three events plus International Women’s Day).

For a full proposal for either of the above opportunities please contact Lesley Robinson – Head of Business Growth & Support – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk