What is Business with Altitude?
 
The Business with Altitude project provides a support programme for community enterprises and micro businesses within Alston Moor. The project runs until the end of June 2008 and is managed by Cybermoor Services Ltd on behalf of the Alston Moor Partnership.
 

The project has 3 main elements:

People development
To build the capacity of the local community so that it can provide its own goods, services and income generating opportunities. To identify, support, train and mentor the next generation of social entrepreneurs and community activities.
 
Business development
To integrate social enterprise and conventional business approaches enabling social enterprises to grow into successful businesses that effectively carry out their social objectives.
 
Sector development
To build on, develop, maintain and showcase the flourishing social enterprise network within Alston Moor, to enable it to sustain and develop itself.
 

The programme of support includes:

  • providing business advice such as help with legal issues, business planning, finance, marketing, product development, pricing, etc
  • identifying and delivering a training programme where people can learn from each other in their own community, buying in external expertise where necessary
  • helping to identify possible sources of funding and finance and supporting with the application process
  • establishing a mentoring network within the community to provide ongoing support and development to each other
  • facilitating a series of events and exchange visits to share knowledge, experience and expertise both within Alston and further afield
  • developing and managing a collaborative supply chain network developing links across the region and beyond
  • promoting and encouraging mutual aid and trade between the social enterprise and business sectors towards a more collaborative approach