BizEd Projects

What BizEd Projects does

BizEd Projects CIC is a UK-registered Community Interest Company founded in 2021 by Vicki Ayton, operating from a physical Community Digital Hub at 42 High Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire, with additional drop-in venues at Whitchurch Fire Station and Whitchurch Market Hall. The organisation operates three integrated service lines: community digital inclusion (free drop-ins, 1:1 digital skills support, device and data provision, and a youth tech club for 13–16 year olds), climate education (Climate Fresk and Biodiversity Collage workshops, Climate Cafés, Design Your Low-Carbon Life sessions), and commissioned professional services (research reports, stakeholder engagement, and digital guide/ebook design).

Its technology foundation is not proprietary software but a stack of curated third-party tools — Learn My Way for digital skills curriculum, Climate Fresk and Biodiversity Collage workshop methodologies, and FlipBook (heyzine.com) publishing for digital guides — combined with a content library of reusable sector- and place-specific guides (AllTogetherNow series, CITB construction guides for Wales/West Midlands/South West, No Wrong Door toolkit, Green Careers Guide, Construction Social Value Toolkit).

Revenue is generated through a hybrid cross-subsidy model: paid climate workshops (community/NFP £500, small business £1,500, large business £2,500) and commissioned research and consultancy projects with public sector and third-sector clients (CITB, South London Partnership, Green Jobs Foundation, DEFRA-funded CLICC, NHS Work Well) are combined with grant income from the National Lottery Community Fund, Shropshire Council, Good Things Foundation, and Whitchurch Town Council, plus cash donations (eligible for Gift Aid) and a tech refurbishment/recycling programme. All surplus is reinvested into community impact under CIC regulations.

Name

BizEd Projects

Legal name

BizEd Projects CIC

Website

https://bizedprojects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BizEd Projects CIC is a Whitchurch, Shropshire-based Community Interest Company delivering free digital skills support and climate education workshops to underserved rural residents, alongside commissioned research, consultancy, and digital guide production for public sector and third-sector clients across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Digital Inclusion Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Neutrality/Claims Strategy & Communications (claims substantiation, greenwashing risk) (EUABAKAK)

Keywords

• Digital inclusion services
• Climate education workshops
• Community digital hub
• Skills research consultancy
• Social impact publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Whitchurch

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Research & Consultancy: Subcontracted research team work for public sector and third-sector clients. Examples include research reports for Green Jobs Foundation, Centre for Living with Climate Change (DEFRA-funded), and South London Partnership (NHS Work Well Partnership Programme). Vicki Ayton serves as lead researcher. Revenue is project-based and used to match-fund community delivery grants.
2. Climate & Skills Workshop Delivery: Paid climate education workshops (Climate Fresk, Biodiversity Collage, Design Your Low-Carbon Life) for businesses and organisations. Revenue split: 30% community reinvestment pot, 30% to BizEd, 30% to facilitators, 10% to training body. Pricing tiers: Community/Not-for-profit £500, Small Business <250 employees £1,500, Large Business >250 employees £2,500. Facilitator training at £35pp or £600–£1,000 package.
3. Ebook & Digital Guide Design: Commissioned design and production of place-based or sector-specific digital guides for employers, training providers, and public bodies. Examples: CITB construction employer guides (South West, West Midlands, Wales), South London Partnership No Wrong Door toolkit, Construction Social Value Toolkit. Revenue reinvested into community CIC activities.
4. Venue & Staff Hire: The BizEd Digital Hub space is hired out for online workshops, events, and community use. Additionally, BizEd staff time can be hired for project delivery, engagement, education, facilitation, and evaluation.
5. Grant Funding: Grant income from National Lottery Community Fund, Shropshire Council, Good Things Foundation, Whitchurch Town Council, and others supports core community delivery including the digital hub, coordinator salary, and device/digital inclusion programmes. BizEd uses research/consultancy revenue to match-fund grants.
6. Donations & Gift Aid: Cash donations are accepted, with BizEd able to claim an extra 25% in Gift Aid on eligible donations, which are used to fund essential community services.
7. Tech Reuse Programme: Donated electronics and tech are refurbished and given to those in need or recycled safely through certified partners. Potential nominal revenue from recycling or device provision, contributing to the digital inclusion mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BizEd Projects CIC runs a community digital hub offering free drop-in and 1:1 digital skills support, device and WiFi access to individuals in Whitchurch, Shropshire. It also delivers paid climate education workshops (Climate Fresk, Biodiversity Collage, Design Your Low-Carbon Life) and produces commissioned digital guides, ebooks and research reports for public sector bodies, industry organisations and employers on skills, employment and green jobs.

Product overview

BizEd Projects CIC operates as a multi-service community interest company offering digital skills support, climate education, and enterprise development. The core offering includes a Community Digital Hub providing free drop-ins and 1:1 digital support; climate education through Climate Fresk Workshops, Biodiversity Collage, and Climate Cafés; and youth programs including a Tech Club for 13-16 year olds. The company produces digital guides and ebooks including the AllTogetherNow series, CITB construction workforce guides for West Midlands and South West, No Wrong Door employment guides, Green Careers Guide, and Construction Social Value Toolkit. Additional services encompass research and consultancy work (Work and Health Research Report, Green Jobs Foundation Research, CLICC support), the Whitchurch FoundHer Network for female entrepreneurs, and the Shropshire Inclusion Network. Services are delivered through partnerships, volunteer programs, and community workshops, with proceeds reinvested into community impact activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Whitchurch FoundHer Network: A female-focused business network for rural women in business and community, launched in September 2024 with sponsorship from Freedom Fibre.
• Digital Skills Hub
• Youth Tech Club

Products and services

• Community Digital Hub Free community and business digital skills support offering device access, Wi-Fi, drop-in sessions, 1:1 support using Learn My Way and other online resources; located at 42 High Street, Whitchurch, open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm.
• Climate Fresk Workshops

Quantifiable outcome

• 140 people supported through digital skills programme in 2025/26
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre for Living with Climate Change (CLICC) / University of ChestercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024BizEd provides research support, stakeholder engagement, and identifies training/education pathways as part of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS), funded by DEFRA and led by University of Chester. Focuses on sustainable water management, flood resilience, and regional growth. Contributes to literature review and community skills development.
• Green Jobs FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Commissioned BizEd to research and author a report on the challenges and opportunities in making green jobs accessible to all. Vicki Ayton serves as Lead Researcher. The project explores barriers including unclear job definitions, skills gaps, and limited entry pathways. Aims to bridge policy and implementation gaps for a just transition.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership producing employer guides for construction sector. Deliverables include West Midlands, South West, and Wales construction workforce guides covering apprenticeships, Section 106 requirements, and social value. Guides are free to download and used by employers across the UK.
• South London PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborative projects: No Wrong Door toolkit and employment guide, South London Skills & Employment Guide, Construction Social Value Toolkit, and Work and Health research report. Head of Economy & Skills stated strong endorsement of BizEd's work and impact.
• Gauge19minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to integrate emerging talent into Gauge19's Innovate UK project. Graduate volunteer Seb Armstrong joined Gauge19 from BizEd to support knowledge mapping. BizEd facilitated community user testing of Gauge19 products in Whitchurch, providing real-world feedback on usability and terminology.
• Good Things FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBizEd is an Online Centre for Good Things Foundation, the UK's leading digital inclusion charity. Good Things Foundation part-funds the BizEd Digital Hub alongside Shropshire Council and Whitchurch Town Council. BizEd provides workshops and training as part of Good Things Foundation's digital inclusion network.
• Shropshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBizEd is a digital skills provider under Shropshire Council's Digital Skills Programme. Council funding supports the digital hub operations, coordinator salary, and community digital inclusion delivery. BizEd also provides research and consultancy support to Council priorities.
• Marches Energy AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported 15 community climate workshops since November, reaching over 200 people. Partner in the Climate Education Partnership providing back-office support for climate workshop coordination across Shropshire, Wales, and West Midlands.
• Freedom FibrecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Whitchurch FoundHer Network, a female-focused rural business network. Sponsorship enabled the network's launch and continued operation. Draws members from a 15-mile radius with 25 members currently.
• Marches Education PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned BizEd to research, design, and produce the Green Careers Guide ebook and interactive PDF for Net Zero careers, covering the Marches area (Shropshire, Telford, Hereford).
• Climate FreskcoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed facilitator network for Climate Fresk workshops. 1.7 million people globally have completed a Climate Fresk. BizEd coordinates and delivers workshops across Shropshire, with 10% of workshop revenue going to Climate Fresk training body.
• Shropshire Inclusion NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork hosted by BizEd covering nature and inclusion workshops on topics including neurodiversity in the workplace, mental health and employment, and neurodiversity and entrepreneurship. 75% of event profits go to host organisations.
• Shropshire Women in BusinessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInclusive networking group for women in business in Shropshire. BizEd hosts and supports the network, providing a platform for underrepresented groups to connect and grow.
• AnthropyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported John O'Brien (founder of Anthropy) and Andreas Kolind (Eden Project) with a 3-day launchpad event at the Eden Project in November 2022 and 2023. BizEd provided communication, content development, and event delivery support.
• VeoliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Climate Cafe community events in Whitchurch. Provides complimentary hot drinks at sessions, supporting community climate conversations.
• Learn My WaycoreTechnology or IntegrationFree online digital skills platform used as part of BizEd's 1:1 digital support programme. Individuals are guided through the Learn My Way platform to build confidence and independence with digital tasks.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• UK Green Jobs Foundation: Charity committed to making green jobs accessible, including commissioning BizEd for research. Direct comparative on green-careers research and policy work, though narrower in mission (green jobs only) versus BizEd's broader skills, climate and digital portfolio.
• Digital Unite: UK social enterprise delivering digital skills training via a national champion network, with a strong focus on older learners. Comparable because both organisations train local digital champions and serve populations with low digital confidence.
• AbilityNet: UK charity focused on digital accessibility and inclusion for disabled people, including advice on adaptive technology. Overlaps with BizEd's digital inclusion mission where 20% of learners have a disability or health condition, though AbilityNet is disability-specialist rather than general digital inclusion.

Others

• Social Enterprise UK: UK membership body for social enterprises and community businesses. Not a direct service peer but adjacent - both BizEd and Social Enterprise UK's members operate as mission-driven businesses reinvesting profits into social purpose, including in rural and digitally-excluded communities.

Direct peers

• Good Things Foundation: UK's leading digital-inclusion charity and Online Centres Network operator. Directly comparable because BizEd is an Online Centre, uses Learn My Way, and is part-funded by Good Things Foundation to deliver free digital skills support to excluded adults - the same core mission and beneficiary base.
• Carbon Literacy Project: UK-based organisation providing accredited climate literacy training for businesses, communities and schools. Direct comparison to BizEd's Climate Fresk, Biodiversity Collage, and Design Your Low-Carbon Life workshop portfolio - both monetise certified climate education for corporate and community audiences.
• Climate Fresk: Global non-profit facilitating collaborative climate science workshops (1.7 million+ participants worldwide). BizEd is a licensed facilitator and partner, so the operating model, workshop format and revenue split structure are functionally identical.
• Citizens Online: UK charity delivering digital inclusion, digital skills training and device access to disadvantaged groups including older people and people with disabilities. Comparable because it serves the same digitally-excluded personas (older adults, disabled, low-income) via community-based delivery models.
• Marches Energy Agency: Regional not-for-profit delivering community energy and climate engagement across the Shropshire/Marches area, including supporting 15+ climate workshops BizEd delivered. Peer in both geography and climate-education mission.

Regional players

• Shropshire Community Action (CASS): Long-standing Shropshire-based voluntary sector support body providing community business, social enterprise and training support. Regional peer on the community/enterprise support side, particularly for rural women-led businesses and grassroots organisations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BizEdProjects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biz-ed-projects
• Instagraminstagram.com/bized_projects
• Xx.com/VickiAyton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BizEd Projects