Our 2024 programme is now fully subscribed and closed to new referrals.

Get in touch to join our 2025 waiting list.

Read our partnership statement to hear how this new programme has delivered for the sector in 2024

We continue to support Sheffield-based businesses outside the SEGA program; please complete this form to see how we can assist you.

Looking to get started with a new social business idea, or grow an existing enterprise? We can help.

Join the business support programme for social enterprises in Sheffield and access a supportive network of values-led entrepreneurs. Funded by Sheffield Council and the South Yorkshire mayoral Combined Authority, the Sheffield Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA) is a partnership programme led by Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and delivered alongside Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry and South Yorkshire Community Foundation. Together we want to support this key local sector to grow and thrive. 

Once you’re signed up for the SEGA programme, you will be able to:

Gain specialist support from our social enterprise advisors

Benefit from one year’s social enterprise membership with the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Access peer networking, mentoring and action learning resources

Receive a £1,000 growth grant

Attend monthly business networking and peer learning events

Ready to sign up?

Our 2024 programme is now fully subscribed. Get in touch to register your interest in a future programme.

First steps after sign up

Once we receive a referral, you’re invited to attend a discovery call with one of our business advisors. We’ll talk to you about your enterprise, assess your eligibility for the programme and work with you to identify a tailored package of support. 

Not sure yet?

Read our frequently asked questions below or get in touch for an informal chat.

Our Specialist Advisors

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FAQs

  • We align with the Social Enterprise UK definition of a social enterprise. To access the programme, your planned or existing venture must: 

    • Have a clear social or environmental mission 

    • Intend to earn more than half of its income through trading

    • Re-invest or donate at least half of its profits 

    • Be transparent in the way they operate and the impact they have

  • Both Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry are membership organisations. When accepted onto the programme, all social enterprises receive free access to our membership benefits for one year. 

    Benefits include: health and safety advice and legally compliant policies and procedures, tax and VAT support; access to five business advice lines; over 750 free business documents and a 24/7 HR and Legal helpline.

  • Yes. We will not offer a prescriptive programme that channels businesses into standardised courses or specific delivery hours. We provide flexible business support tailored to the needs of each business. Applicants are able to self-select consultants based on need and preference. Support may be offered in-person, online, individually or in groups.

  • Our peer mentoring and action learning programme will complement this contract, creating the opportunity for social enterprise leaders to work collectively, building networks, capability and capacity to solve leadership issues across organisations. 

  • Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry have well-established programmes of business networking and masterclass events. This enables programme participants to access at least six free events each month: both social enterprise specific and intertwined with the wider business sector in Sheffield.  

    We also deliver an annual Sheffield Social Enterprise conference, which you will be invited to.

  • Social enterprises that sign up to the SEGA programme have the opportunity to apply for a match-funded grant of up to £1,000 from South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation.

  • Currently we are only able to accept referrals by telephone. Please call the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Membership Hub on 0114 201 8888 between 9am and 5pm (Monday to Friday).

  • SEGA is funded by Sheffield City Council as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The programme is led by Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and delivered in partnership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation. 

    We are also working closely with Voluntary Action Sheffield, Key Fund, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprise UK.

  • We work with a team of specialist business advisors with significant lived experience in social enterprise leadership, across a broad range of areas, including:

    Access to finance; business planning; strategy; organisational development; sales and marketing; social value; impact measurement; social inclusion; asset-based community development; mentoring; coaching