Supplier
Springboard
Grow your Business to Supply Large Organisations
Launching for Small and Medium Enterprises in April 2024
The Challenge
Global Majority leaders, we hear you. We understand the challenges you face in entering corporate supply chains – limited resources, scarce investments, and difficulties accessing corporate networks. You may even feel like you have to work twice as hard for half of the support that your peers receive. It’s time to level the playing field!
As the demand for corporate businesses to diversify their supply chain grows, your expertise is more valuable than ever. And we believe in your potential to add value to businesses, and thrive and excel in the corporate world.
Our solution
Introducing Supplier Springboard, our new, groundbreaking 12-month programme designed to increase equity in corporate supply chains and tailored to help bridge the gap between corporates and SMEs.

WHAT IS SUPPLIER SPRINGBOARD?
Supplier Springboard is a transformative journey of corporate mentorship and upskilling that will empower SMEs to navigate the demands of large organisations more effectively. The programme features an immersive workshop series that paves the way for SMEs to expand their businesses to meet supplier demand more effectively.
As a participant, you will benefit from personalised one-on-one sessions with a corporate mentor meticulously matched to address your specific business needs. Their invaluable insights and guidance will help propel your growth.
But our commitment doesn’t stop there. Large organisations partnering with us will also gain a deeper understanding of how to enrich their collaboration with SMEs and receive dedicated support in diversifying their supply chains.
Supplier Springboard is your key to success in the corporate landscape. It is more than a programme; it is an opportunity to elevate your SME and cultivate equitable corporate partnerships. Join us today and lead your business to new heights!
Unlock success with a commitment of just 1 day a month for 12 transformative months!
As an SME, you can expect to:
- Gain increased access to a wealth of resources that stimulate your growth
- Enhance your supply chain preparedness, ensuring seamless operations and growth
- Cultivate leadership skills that drive success and empower your team to excel
- Develop the resilience needed to overcome challenges
- Improve your business sustainability
Each Supplier Springboard Day kicks off with joint workshops in the morning session, uniting SME leaders and corporate participants to facilitate networking, exchange experiences, and co-learn. These dynamic morning sessions encompass a wide range of topics including:
- A forum to exchange experiences in the corporate supply chain domain
- An exploration into the intricacies of power dynamics in the workplace
- Charting the vision for diverse and inclusive supply chains
- Honing your pitching design skills and practicing
- Embracing inclusive leadership styles
- Empowering Leadership Cycle
- Building resilience after setbacks
- Discovering the value of shared decision-making
- Action Learning Sets with a Corporate Business Buddy
In the afternoon, SME leaders and corporate participants part ways to focus on tailored development areas to become supplier ready. For SMEs, this includes:
- Mastering the art of building impactful corporate relationships
- Business modelling
- Creating a vision and strategy for long-term sustainability
- Improving your policies
- Effective Governance
- Fundraising and Bid Writing
- Fine-tuning your marketing and branding for corporate clients
- Managing budgeting and cashflow for large-scale projects
Moreover, you will have the opportunity to visit your corporate Business Buddy’s organisation, and vice versa.
- Up to 25 hours of monthly mentorship sessions with a dedicated Corporate Business Buddy, driven by a shared commitment to diversify supply chains
- Perfect your pitch with seasoned procurement professionals
- Join a dynamic community of fellow SMEs in your growth stage and engage in peer-to-peer learning
- Elevate your understanding of the ‘corporate way’ through a curated series of 10 transformative upskilling workshops
- Gain first-hand insights through site visits to both a corporate business and a partner SME
- Access up to 8 hours of guidance from expert business consultants tailored to your unique growth objectives
The focus of Supplier Springboard is on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by Global Majority entrepreneurs. We define SMEs as organisations with an annual income ranging from £50k to £750k, and a team of 1-20 professionals.
If you are driven to expand a product or service into the realm of supplying large organisations, then you are in the right place.
Should your organisation not meet the criteria above, but you are still eager to be part of Supplier Springboard, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with our team here. We are here to explore alternative possibilities with you.
Within Supplier Springboard, you will find a vibrant mix of like-minded SMEs sharing the same aspiration, along with a diverse array of large organisations eager to diversify their supply chains. Each programme cohort consists of up to 20 SME participants and 20 large organisation participants.
Throughout the programme, both SMEs and large organisations will discover numerous opportunities to connect, foster relationships, and learn how to collaborate effectively. Supplier Springboard is where these connections thrive and where collaboration takes centre stage.

Why choose BUD?

GET INVOLVED!
Supplier Springboard is a 12-month programme requiring a commitment of one day a month. We have up to 20 SME spaces per cohort.
LIMITED FREE SPACES AVAILABLE!
Please indicate whether you may need a partial or full bursary to take part in Supplier Springboard on your ‘Registration of Interest’ form.

Want to find out more about Supplier Springboard?
Contact kadisha@budleaders.org with your questions. Alternatively, book in a meeting.
Click here to learn more about the journey through Supplier Springboard for Large Organisations