SFEDI

Originally the Small Firms Enterprise Development initiative, the founding company SFEDI is now focused on raising the quality of enterprising skills by identifying and delivering programmes of support which increase start up and survival rates amongst small and micro business communities.

SFEDI works with a diverse range of organisations in the public, private and ‘third’ sectors to provide enterprising solutions for the challenges and opportunities faced in enhancing the quality of support and learning available to small and home-based businesses.

Building upon the work and track record of SFEDI over the last 15 years in improving the access for prospective and existing entrepreneurs to personal and business development that works in practice, SFEDI has three core services:

Standards setting and research – As the government-recognised UK standards-setting body for enterprise and business support, SFEDI Solutions maintains and reviews the set of business enterprise and business support standards. The development of the standards is informed by undertaking applied or ‘engaged’ research projects addressing different aspects of small business and enterprise development

Development and delivery – SFEDI Solutions works across a range of different sectors, such as further and higher education and community development, in advising, shaping and delivering demand-led support and learning opportunities for small and home-based businesses

Advocacy – Staff from SFEDI Solutions actively contribute to a number of key national and international networks focused on enhancing the quality of support and learning available to small businesses. These include the ACCA SME Committee, ACT, International Enterprise Promotion Conference and the UK Mentoring Taskforce.