Pilot project

THE HAMILTON PROJECT was launched as a pilot project at an introductory workshop at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone in Devon on the 30th May 2006. All participants benefited from introductory seminars and workshops delivered by business mentors from CiB and Business Boffins and received initial learning material (16 modules, fact sheets and associated business document templates) for business planning. Further service-leavers joined the course during the year.

Throughout the year, the participants received further learning material in the form of modules, fact sheets and templates. Business mentoring support was given via email by THE HAMILTON PROJECT team and Professional Advisers including lawyers and accountants to help the participants plan and develop their own businesses. Further planning workshops were held during the year at the CTCRM for the service-leavers to access further face-to-face, bespoke and confidential business support in addition to the written training materials.

The pilot project also included a research aspect to establish any specific needs of ex-Service personnel above and beyond the needs that arise with non-Service personnel wishing to start up in business. Preliminary research was undertaken by Russell Gundry, an MSc Enterprise and Entrepreneurship fellow from Oxford Brookes University, at business planning workshops given to pilot members. As a result of the research recommendations, THE HAMILTON PROJECT has now:

Increased flexibility of programme delivery by allowing easier "download" of modules, fact sheets and other learning materials from this website
Included a web facility to signpost to other networks and other sources of support
Provided an easier way to engage with the programme by providing project participants with the special edition of 'How to start a successful business' book
Included, on the website, case studies of positive role models for those service-leavers and veterans who have successfully started businesses.