More than £1 million has been invested in West Northamptonshire businesses through the Driving Innovation programme, with grant funding helping companies introduce new technology, expand operations and create jobs.
Figures presented at the Driving Innovation Showcase, held at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery on Thursday 9 July, showed that the programme awarded £338,000 in grants to 23 businesses, unlocking more than £740,000 of private sector investment and generating a combined investment of more than £1 million.
The programme was delivered by South Midlands Growth Hub and funded by West Northamptonshire Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support innovation, productivity and business growth.
Speaking at the showcase, Samantha Hunter, Partnerships and Events Manager at South Midlands Growth Hub, said the initiative had been designed to give businesses access to funding alongside practical support.
“There is no shortage of ambition, talent or ideas in West Northamptonshire,” she said. “What businesses often need is the right support at the right time and in the right format.
“Whether that is access to funding, expert guidance, peer learning or a clear pathway to scale, we wanted to provide that.”
Launched in June 2025, the programme attracted 119 expressions of interest and 57 grant applications. Funding of between £1,000 and £25,000 was awarded to businesses investing in innovation, productivity and growth, with recipients providing 50 per cent match funding.
Businesses used the grants to introduce new technology, develop products, improve productivity and expand into new markets.
Among the recipients was The Back and Body Clinic, which invested in an open MRI scanner to bring diagnostic imaging into the business.
Managing Director Richard Evans said the clinic, founded in Northampton in 2012 and now operating from six sites, had previously referred around 40 patients each month for MRI scans.
“We were treating more than 4,000 patients every month and referring around 40 patients elsewhere for MRI scans,” he said.
“We knew there was a better way of doing it, but cash flow was the barrier. The grant came at exactly the right time. It has enabled us to bring MRI scanning into the business, complete the patient journey and create six new jobs.”
Richard said the investment had already prompted plans for further expansion.
Other businesses used the funding to introduce AI-powered systems, develop specialist software, purchase new equipment and diversify their services.
Alongside the grant programme, Driving Innovation also delivered a High Growth Accelerator for ambitious founders preparing to raise investment. Twelve businesses completed workshops and received specialist advice covering funding strategies, business valuations and investor readiness.
The wider programme included Resilient Futures and Podcasting 101 workshops covering financial performance, marketing, sustainability, business strategy and content creation.
Forty businesses participated in those workshops, with 95 per cent saying the sessions were relevant to their business, 89 per cent reporting they could apply the learning directly and 97 per cent saying they would recommend the programme.
A further initiative, InspireHER, provided workshops, peer learning and practical guidance to eight female-led businesses.
Lisa Devayya, Funding & Programme Delivery Manager at West Northamptonshire Council, said supporting business growth had been a key priority for the council’s allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding.
She said the funding had enabled organisations across the area to provide financial support alongside specialist advice, skills programmes and practical guidance for local businesses.
Samantha said the programme demonstrated the value of collaboration between West Northamptonshire Council, South Midlands Growth Hub, delivery partners and participating businesses.
“We’re talking about businesses that are now better placed to innovate, attract investment, improve productivity and grow sustainably,” she said.
“Programmes like this don’t happen in isolation. They happen because of collaboration between local authorities, delivery partners, advisers and the businesses themselves.”
The showcase brought together businesses, programme partners and policymakers to review the programme’s impact and discuss how collaboration could continue to support business growth across West Northamptonshire.
The Driving Innovation programme has now concluded, but new funding is available. The South Midlands SME Business Grant Programme is offering grants of up to £25,000 for eligible businesses. Find out who can apply and how to access the funding here.
