Today, Instagram is announcing the launch of its first Small Business Mentorship programme in the UK, in partnership with Small Business Britain. 

The programme is part of Instagram’s continued effort to support and uplift the UK’s small businesses as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The mentorship programme will offer five UK based small businesses a number of tools and social commerce opportunities, including a content workshop with one of the UK’s top Instagram creators, covering creative tips and tricks and developing a three-month Instagram content plan, and an hour-long virtual coaching session with a business mentor.

The chosen businesses will also benefit from three monthly hour-long sessions with an Instagram product expert and  £1,000 worth of ad credits. 

“The past 18 months have been tough for small businesses and this mentorship programme is about supporting and helping business owners hone their creative and commercial skills in the digital space. This is a real opportunity for those looking to learn more about social commerce, creator content strategy and Instagram advertising,” said Brand Development Lead at Instagram, Gord Ray. “Small businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to re-shape the way people engage with, and buy from their brands – we want to make sure they seize it. We hope this mentorship programme will bring ambitious small businesses together, encourage creativity, and help ‘the nation of shopkeepers’ accomplish great things in the run up to the holiday period, and beyond.”

Small businesses in the UK can enter through a simple application process here.