Welsh ICE, an innovation centre for start-up businesses, has partnered with the Fairwood Trust, Harding Evans and Chwarae Teg to provide entrepreneurs with a new, structured course called the 5-9 club.

Applications are now open for the after-hours entrepreneurship course, designed to support aspiring business owners through the early stages of enterprise.

The scheme has been fully funded by the Fairwood Trust and sessions will run every Thursday evening over 12 weeks, with specialist mentors, workshops and industry experts offering support at every stage.

Sessions will include advice on marketing, development and finance, culminating in a presentation where the course participants will pitch their business idea.

The aim is to give founders and start-up businesses the boost they need to scale their enterprises through a fully-funded package that includes a full-time desk, a tailored mentoring programme and world class workshops.

In association with the Chwarae Teg, the first round of funding will be available exclusively to female entrepreneurs.

A recent report from private banking firm Kleinwort Benson, in association with YouGov found that 42 per cent of women felt they had to overcome major obstacles compared to 32 per cent of men.

Women were also found to have more fear of failing in business than men, yet once established, the research found that women were more likely to succeed in setting up a successful business.

Joy Kent, chief executive of Chwarae Teg, said: “Chwarae Teg is dedicated to supporting women in business and is therefore delighted to be involved in a scheme such as the Welsh ICE 5-9 club. This initiative will not only give the selected women the motivation and confidence to grow their own business, but will also offer them the support and resources needed as well.”

Gareth Jones, CEO at Welsh ICE, said: “It’s excellent to be working in partnership with the Fairwood Trust and Chwarae Teg to deliver this initiative. The Cardiff Capital Region is now emerging as a hub for start-up business in the UK, and it’s essential that we can support aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Our vision for ICE was to create a space which allows its members the opportunity to create the businesses that they want to create – with incredible role models, advisors and advocates sat next to them to help offer insight that isn’t available when they’re working from the back-bedroom or dining table.”

The closing date for the first round of applications, which is only open to female entrepreneurs, is September 30, and interested parties are invited to submit their ideas to ICE through the website (www.welshice.org.)

Based in Caerphilly, Welsh ICE is an innovation centre that supports entrepreneurs to launch their businesses, scale and thrive. ICE is the largest centre of its kind outside of London, and since establishing in 2012 Welsh ICE has supported over 160 businesses to start, and is currently home to more than 250 entrepreneurs and employees.