START School: Programme Evaluation

Published date: 9 January 2025

Contract summary

Industry

Miscellaneous business and business-related services - 79900000

Location of contract

BS16 1QY

Value of contract

£7,000 to £15,000

Procurement reference

START School: Programme Evaluation

Published date

9 January 2025

Closing date

26 January 2025

Closing time

11:59pm

Contract start date

3 February 2025

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Competitive quotation (below threshold)

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

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Description

Launched in 2023, START is an exciting two-year pilot programme for the West of England region, delivered by a consortium of four universities: The University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol), The University of Bristol, The University of Bath, and Bath Spa University.

Led by UWE Bristol, in partnership with techSPARK, the pioneering programme is funded by the West of England Combined Authority and provides a package of support and development for innovative pre-start and early formation tech businesses across the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North-East Somerset regions.

The START programme is designed for those who have an innovative tech focussed start-up idea and would like to develop it further. Programme provision includes 28 hours of business focussed workshops, mentoring and access to shared networks and investment opportunities. Upon completion, participants are additionally able to pitch for a place in a local university-led
start-up incubator for a further 6 months. START aims to:
• Support employment uplift from creation of new, fast growth businesses
• Help increase diversity and representation of tech start-up founders
• Develop businesses that will generate sustainable economic growth

Consultant Brief
We are looking for an external consultant to undertake an evaluation of the START School programme, reviewing the successes, learnings and outcomes from the project.

We are asking the appointed consultant to review the following areas, in addition to any others they may find appropriate:
• Appropriateness of initial design
• Progress against targets
• Delivery and management
• Outcomes and impact
• Value for money
• Lessons learnt

The project team will work alongside the consultant to identify all appropriate data and contact beneficiaries.

We are looking for potential consultants to approach us with innovative evaluation ideas and who have a particular focus on our target groups of programme participants.

Applications
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of evaluating local government funded projects, particularly projects working with our key target audiences.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
1. Experience of:
a. working with pre-start and early formation businesses
b. evaluating schemes targeting support for early formation businesses
c. Working to evaluate local government funded programmes

2. Delivery plan

3. Value for money

This information will need to be compiled into one document and submitted prior to the deadline.

Please also provide us with your proposed fee for delivery of the above contract. There is a maximum budget of £15,000 (inclusive of VAT) committed for this work. Please email this to
jessica.tomico@uwe.ac.uk no later than midnight on Sunday 26th January 2025.

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More information

Attachments

START School Evaluation call.pdf

Tender notice

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How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

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About the buyer

Contact name

Jessica Tomico

Address

Frenchay Campus
BRISTOL
BS161QY
England

Email

Jessica.Tomico@uwe.ac.uk

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