FOLLOWING the successful launch of Ready2Grow, a project specifically aimed at helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) achieve their growth plans, the Northamptonshire Growth Hub has announced Innovate Northamptonshire.
This project, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is also aimed at SMEs but in this case the focus is on businesses with innovative ideas.
There are many reasons to introduce innovation into a business, whether it’s achieving cost savings through new processes or being able to offer a new product or service to customers or introducing something brand new to the market to gain a competitive edge. However, as an SME, it’s often difficult to know where to start and who to go to for expert advice.
Innovate Northamptonshire will promote research and innovation within SMEs across Northamptonshire. It is planned to run until February 2019 and will offer a combination of workshops, advice, demonstrator visits and financial assistance depending upon the particular innovation need of each business that applies to join the project.
Clients will be provided with the support they need to help them identify the growth potential of their business. As part of the project, an adviser will help them develop an action plan and help them to identify any necessary expert advice or financial assistance that they require to take their plan forward.
The project will support SMEs across the county with a particular focus on the four key sectors: High Performance Technologies (HPT), Agri-tech (including Food and Drink), Creative and Cultural Industries and Logistics.
As a participant in Innovate Northamptonshire, clients will have access to a series of half-day workshops designed to reinforce the key building blocks of innovation. These workshops will be available from February 2017 and delegates can attend up to four of them and then work with their Innovation Business Adviser to develop their Innovation Plan.
Additional support will be provided throughout the project to support the development and regular monitoring of their innovation plan and including, where appropriate, grant funding or innovation vouchers to fund collaboration with external expertise.
Businesses can register their interest in the Innovate Northamptonshire project by sending an email to IN@northamptonshiregrowthhub.co.uk or by visiting the Growth Hub Website. www.northamptonshiregrowthhub.co.uk
The Northamptonshire Growth Hub was established in November 2013 to fulfil an obvious need for business support for SMEs in the county and has helped over 2,500 businesses since it opened for business. It is based in the centre of Northampton in the Innovation Centre – a state-of-the art facility offering office space and meeting facilities. The Growth Hub handles between 100 and 150 calls per month, 60 per cent of which are established businesses with a significant portion from pre-start and start-up enterprises. It operates a brokerage model with a single telephone number – 01604 212696 – or single email contact – enquiries@northamptonshiregrowthhub.co.uk
Innovate Northamptonshire is delivered by the Northamptonshire Growth Hub partners and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
