New European Funding to support South West businesses

The South West must focus on improving business competitiveness and employment throughout the region.  In order to do this there needs to be a shift towards high-quality business generating high value added activity.  But how do businesses achieve this?  The new High Growth business support programmes will provide advice and support on how to start a high growth business, demonstrate ways of financing a business and how to acquire the skills to access external finance.

Over the last year [1] GWE Business West has successfully secured several new South West business support contracts.  And,  working in partnership with a regional consortium of organisations has now secured [2] European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to deliver three new high growth business support and development programmes – Starting a High Growth Business, Coaching for High Growth and Understanding Finance for Business – through its [3] Enterprise Services division.

Jo Greenwood, Director of Business Support for GWE Business West said, “GWE Business West has a successful track record of delivering business support throughout the South West.  Our focus is to deliver high quality services to support business growth and ensure businesses have the right package of support as well as the skills they need to succeed.”

Each programme offers a comprehensive range of support delivered through a combination of workshops and coaching support sessions.  The free workshops will provide a wealth of advice and information on a range of topics such as Intellectual Property (IP), high growth finance, routes to market, internationalisation and business planning. Businesses will also hear first hand from experts and existing high growth business owners about the pitfalls and successes of running a high growth business.

The free coaching sessions (one-to-one meetings, telephone and e-mail support from a business coach) is provided with all three programmes up to a period of 36 months (Starting a High Growth Business).  This support will build the knowledge and skills of business entrepreneurs and will also enable the development of a higher proportion of high growth businesses for the region.

Jo Greenwood said, “Businesses today face challenges with raising finance, cash flow, and finding new routes to market.  What is not always clear is how they can best tackle these issues.  We are delighted to be delivering practical business support, without which there is a risk that some businesses with the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the region will not materialise.”

These business support programmes will be available from July 2010 and are subject to eligibility.  For further information on how GWE Business West can help your business visit www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk or join us at www.gwebwlinkedin.co.uk

Note to editors

[1] GWE Business West Ltd
GWE Business West - business leadership, business membership, business services. Playing a major role in shaping and supporting economic growth and success.

GWE Business West exists to help provide an environment in which business can thrive and prosper. We are a private company with a public, business responsible purpose. We deliver an extensive range of business to business services and act as a powerful voice for the business community.

Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.gwebwlinkedin.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gwebusinesswest

[2] European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The European Regional Development Fund helps stimulate economic development and regeneration.

[3] GWE Business West Enterprise Services
The GWE Business West division that delivers a range of public and privately funded business and enterprise support programmes - direct, in partnership with and on behalf of other organisations.