Unlocked Free Business Support with Prosper Business Support

The Prosper Business Support programme provided fully funded support to entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses across East Devon, Mid Devon and Exeter. It was delivered by Business Information Point (BIP) in partnership with Cosmic and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via local councils.

The programme offered a mix of one-to-one advice, practical workshops and access to learning resources. Businesses received tailored support based on their needs, helping them take clear, confident steps forward.

What Did Prosper Business Support Do?

The programme was broken into four key areas, designed to meet the unique needs of businesses:

• Business Change: Ready to grow? The programme helped businesses adopt new practices, improve digital skills, enter new markets and launch new products.
• Green Business Support: Businesses looking to become more sustainable received advice on going green, along with free carbon audits to help reduce their carbon footprint.
• Start-up Support: Those starting out received expert guidance on business planning, market research, legal structures and financial forecasting.
• Employment Advice: Businesses expanding their teams learned how to navigate employment legislation, set competitive wages and recruit the right talent.

Who was Eligible?

The Prosper Business Support programme was available to businesses and entrepreneurs based in East Devon, Mid Devon, and Exeter. Whether a pre-start business seeking guidance or an established business ready to scale, the programme offered tailored, hands-on support to help them grow.

Each business started with an initial diagnostic session, followed by a personalised action plan and ongoing guidance from experienced advisors.

Results of the programme

Through the Prosper programme, Cosmic supported 30 attendees and their businesses across Devon with practical, tailored guidance. Each session focused on real business challenges, from improving day-to-day efficiency to building confidence with digital tools and new ways of working. The support was hands-on and shaped around individual needs, giving business owners space to ask questions, test ideas, and make steady progress. In total, 137 hours of support were delivered, helping these businesses move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Looking for Support Now?

If help is still needed with starting or growing a business, it’s worth getting in touch with:

• Business Information Point (BIP) for one-to-one advice and guidance

• Growth Hub provides free, impartial advice and connects businesses to the right support, funding, and training to help them grow.

• Cosmic for digital skills training, workshops, and business support

All organisations continue to offer a range of services and can help point businesses in the right direction for their next steps.