The Eastern Enterprise Hub is delivering a new dynamic course for early stage entrepreneurs in the Ipswich area.

The Ipswich 18 Programme, which will be delivered in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council, is a flexible course designed to run alongside the day-to-day tasks of setting up a business.

It will begin mid February 2014 and will see its students develop new entrepreneurial skills, self-confidence and commercial resilience.

Simon Mead, CEO at the EEHub said: “It is great news that Ipswich Borough Council are able to support this key initiative that sets out to specifically support prospective entrepreneurs across the town. It allows the Eastern Enterprise Hub to run an additional programme that directly benefits the local economy.”

The course length is five months, with its sessions running every two weeks with a number of specialists and tutors.

Anyone aged 18 or over can applyl

The Enterprise Hub has been a tremendous success since its inception

Since 2011, the EEHub, which is located on Ipswich’s thriving waterfront, in the James Hehir Building, has supported the set up of 99 enterprises that have created in excess of 740 jobs and contributed more than £23 million to the local economy, he said.

It supports people from all walks of life who have a good business idea to develop key business skills, commercial expertise and the confidence to make it a success.

Councillor Carole Jones, Economic Development Portfolio-Holder said: “The Ipswich 18 Programme is another example of how we are giving practical help to aspiring entrepreneurs, to create and sustain jobs in the town. The Eastern Enterprise Hub and the Council want to build business knowledge and confidence, and help access finance for business ventures at an early stage.”

The EEHub recently worked in partnership with Foundation East to deliver a similar programme in Colchester, which provides early stage entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in North Essex with financial support and advice.

Peter Wood, Marketing & Membership Manager at Foundation East said:“Foundation East was keen to help increase the number of successful businesses in the North Essex area and we continue to support and lend to potentially viable businesses that cannot get the finance that they require from the banks.

“We recognised the work that the Eastern Enterprise Hub has already achieved in making a massive contribution to their student’s prospects of starting-up and running a successful business. As they recruited the entrepreneurs for the exciting, new Colchester hub we were delighted to assist in the project and enjoy working with the new businesses.”

If you would like to join the Ipswich 18 Programme at the EEHub, please apply here: http://www.eehub.co.uk/programmes/ipswich18.aspx - the deadline is Monday February 3 2014 at 4pm.