A Bristol design agency is offering to provide a fledgling, woman-owned business with free workspace and support with the launch of a competition on International Women’s Day.
Istoria Group said the winning start-up or micro business would receive rent-free office space for up to four people for six months at Istoria's Bristol Paintworks headquarters.
Istoria, which consists of three creative businesses specialising in interior design, digital, and events, said the winner would also receive a free website design and build, a brand refresh and mentoring to help with its development.
The competition is open to early-stage, female-founded enterprises, operating in any market, in Bristol or the South West.
Istoria, which itself is woman-owned, said applicants should “ideally” share at least some of its corporate values, which include staff inclusivity, and commitments to sustainability and the local economy.
Chief marketing officer Lindie Kramers said: “We want to be as inclusive as possible in our search for the right micro business and would particularly welcome applications from traditionally under-represented communities in business, whether by age, class or ethnicity, to help promote social mobility and counter current imbalances in opportunity and representation.”
Istoria is working on the initiative with the support of the Black South West Network (BSWN) and local social enterprise Babbasa, which helps disadvantaged young people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds into work, education and business.
Sibusiso Tshabalala of BSWN, which works alongside black-led businesses to unlock their potential, said: “‘If the creative Industries were as socio-economically diverse as the wider economy, the sector could provide employment opportunities to an additional 263,200 working-class individuals.
“However, the lack of diversity in the industry remains a challenge. Fortunately, creative agencies like Istoria Group are working selflessly and consciously to diversify the industry. Initiatives like theirs are particularly crucial in areas like the South West, which lack representation in the creative sector.”
Matt Rogers, head of development at Babbasa, added: “Many of the young people Babbasa supports are interested in entrepreneurship, and starting their own business is a key way for many young people to access an income that enables them to thrive. We’re pleased to support this fantastic opportunity.”
The winning applicant or business will be selected by a panel of five judges, including Istoria’s chief executive Sam Rowe and Cecilia Thirlway, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at the University of Bristol.
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