Incubation Nation
Incubation Nation
Inc Nation CIC provides self-employment and start-up support services through training, development and mentoring.
It can be extremely rewarding and exciting to run your own business, but it can also be very isolating without the right support system. Over 80% of businesses fail within their first 3 years and we want to change this!
Inc nation CIC provides weekly drop-in sessions, business planning events, as well as monthly coaching sessions and monthly training sessions. If you need further assistance, you can reach out to our hub of experts.
Sam Poole – Incubation Nation Founder
Incubation Nation was created after asking several entrepreneurs two questions…
“What is the profit margin on this product?”
And “How much do you pay yourself to produce this product?”
Over 90% of respondents did not know how much profit was in the item, and over 80% were not paying themselves!
It’s imperative that women entrepreneurs are not left behind in the start-up stage. Women have a direct impact on the local economy and families, so inspirational leaders are needed to lead others, and in doing so, we also leave a legacy for future generations.
I am passionate about helping women – those people whose drive, inspiration, and creativity inspired them to start a business – and providing them with those cornerstones for success.
In order to balance family commitments and employment in a flexible manner, one fifth of women now work as self-employed. Yet 80% of British businesses fail within their first year (ONS, February 2022). In the midst of all the hope, effort, and inspiration that goes into creating a new business, it is heartbreaking when it fails after such a short time.
My work with small businesses over the last 10 years has helped them be more visible and advertise affordably. In 2021, Milton Keynes Council awarded us funding to create Incubation Nation: a start-up development programme for women. This gives new business owners the tools they need to grow a thriving, resilient business, built on the four foundation cornerstones that every business needs for success: Business Review, Business Planning, Marketing & Social Media, and Confidence Building & Mindset.
Our funded places are for women in business who meet certain criteria – but if you’re male or your business doesn’t qualify for a funded place, you can still book a payable place on the programme.
So if you’re brand new to business, we’d love to hear from you!
Our Vision
To empower every entrepreneur to grow and sustain a successful business. We want every business owner to have the tools they need to grow a strong, secure and profitable business, and to have a hub of affordable business services around them to support them as they grow.
Our Mission
It is our mission to empower women economically so they can choose what kind of life they want.
Having financial independence is integral for women’s freedom and equality – and women are integral to this by starting, growing, and maintaining successful businesses.
Every business in the UK should complete a ‘Business Bootcamp’ to improve their success rate as failure can be a disastrous lesson to learn!
Our Priorities
- Income: At the end of the day, everyone needs income, regardless of how big or small their business is.
- Increase: A person is more likely to succeed in their career or business when they increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence.
- Inclusion: As far as support is concerned, our company strives to be barrier-free.
- Incubation: Whether you want to start a new business or scale an existing one, we can assist you.
- Incorporation: Choosing a sole trader versus forming a limited company: which is best?
Work With Us
Our Programme: Four Foundation Cornerstones
Business Review
● Where are you now?
● Where do you want to be in 12 months?
● Financials
● SWOT analysis
● Systems & Processes
Business Planning
● Create a 90 day business strategy plan
● Create a 12 month business plan
● Time Management
● Networking
● Lead Generation
Marketing & Social Media
● Who is your ideal customer?
● Where do they hang out?
● Which marketing strategy is right for your business?
● 30 day marketing and social media plan
● Blogging for business
Confidence Building & Mindset
● Sales
● Impostor syndrome
● Feel the fear and go for it!
● Mental Health Matters
● Lifestyle & Health
Every Business Bootcamp session supports one or more of the Four Cornerstones:
Foundations for success so you can build to the next level
Incubation Nation Members
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
Your business must be based in the Milton Keynes area
You have an annual turnover of less than £85k
Men and women business owners all welcome
(funded places are for women only though)
No minimum / maximum business age
How much is it?
How much is it?
A number of places are fully funded by the council, but if you don’t qualify for one, you can still join the programme with a paid membership. Find out more on our Membership Options page…
133
Business Owners Supported
£750k
Turnover Generated
Andrea – Eco Gifts
Business Bootcamp 2022 Graduate
Having worked in the commercial environment for the last 30 years, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for Boot Camp in February. In no time at all, Sam put everyone at ease with her friendly enthusiasm and provided some great advice and encouragement. During the 12 weeks, I had the chance to experiment with different products, get advice from experts, and develop a business plan I regularly refer to. In addition, I now have a new network of friends to call upon. As well as boosting my confidence, the 12 weeks also helped me develop a clearer vision of the future.
Our Expert Hub
Our Expert Hub
You don’t have to do it all. We are creating a hub where small businesses have a ‘corporate structure of support’ without the huge overheads and costs of doing it all themselves.
Ready to start?
