MENTA shortlisted for National Accolade

MENTA has been shortlisted for three of the top enterprise support awards in the country.

It is in the final line-up for some of the key awards due to be announced at the National Enterprise Network’s Annual Conference on November 21st. The awards are:

• Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year 

• Innovation in Enterprise 

• Enterprising spaces 

The awards board reviewing the entries were impressed by MENTA’s innovative approach across the board to opening up opportunities for micro, small and start-up businesses; its vibrant @inc co-working spaces which have boosted their local communities; its collaborative working ethos and its strong track record of delivering on-the-ground business support focused on needs and free at the point of delivery.

Carol Daniels, NEN operations director, announced the shortlist, saying: “Every organisation featured on the shortlist has clearly demonstrated excellence in the delivery of enterprise support, whether in the community, through enterprising spaces, or in educational settings focused on embedding entrepreneurial spirit and enterprise.

“This year’s entries also showcased the value of enterprising partnerships, highlighting how collaboration strengthens enterprise ecosystems. Selecting a shortlist is never an easy task, but these entries provided a fantastic insight into the impactful initiatives and the dedicated professionals working tirelessly across the UK, especially during these challenging times."

MENTA’s forward-thinking enterprise model, which combines physical spaces for businesses in their communities, underpinned by a comprehensive business support model which offers free advice, guidance, and mentoring to all, has created a complete collaborative ecosystem for the region’s start-up, micro and small businesses helping them to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Over the past year it has introduced a range of new courses including key programmes such as Digital Springboard and the DEEP (Digital Enterprise Engagement Programme) to drive digital transformation within micro businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk. 

And in the digital age, MENTA has itself embraced app-based technology to streamline its services, offering greater flexibility and efficiency for users. These digital tools enable business owners to engage with MENTA’s services remotely, on their own terms, and outside the traditional 9-to-5 business mode.

MENTA CEO Alex Till said he was delighted that the social enterprise had been shortlisted for so many awards and praised his team for their work in driving change and supporting the region’s thriving business communities.

“I believe MENTA’s ability to remain adaptable and forward-thinking over four decades sets it apart. Unlike many established organisations that become set in their ways, MENTA has sustained a "startup" mentality, constantly seeking new opportunities and staying agile. This mindset has allowed MENTA to evolve in sync with the business environment, embracing new technologies, market trends, and community needs. This is particularly reflected in its expansion of services and its ability to pivot towards digital and app-based solutions to better serve micro businesses.”