Business

Business Growth Programme

October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2021

The Business Growth Programme will enhance the resources of the existing Humber Business Growth Hub through the provision of a range of interventions aimed at enabling SMEs in the Humber to grow and become more productive.  It will encourage and support businesses to grow and develop by delivering the following activities:

• One-to-one advice to determine the needs of the client, including a detailed diagnostic and development of an action plan of support required to achieve growth objectives
• A comprehensive programme of workshops / masterclasses, delivered by industry experts across a range of topics (see below)
• A Leadership Development programme for senior leaders and managers within SMEs with a potential for growth
• Voucher support to SMEs based on projects identified through one-to-one advice and support
• Electronic delivery – development of a suite of webinars, online content, and information available through the Growth Hub Website

The programme will focus on delivering support in the following areas:

• Business model, culture and structure
• Business Planning
• Marketing and communications
• HR and Recruitment
• Improving market and customer awareness and understanding
• Sales process and pitch
• Pricing
• Supply Chain and Procurement
• Resource Efficiency

Finance for Growth

June 1, 2018 - May 31, 2021

Delivered as a product of the Humber Business Growth Hub, this three year programme of investment readiness support is focused on enabling SME businesses to access finance.

It provides an intensive Humber-wide programme of support through a network of specialist advisors and associated small grants scheme that will cover up to 40% of the eligible costs of SME beneficiary projects which will enable them to become investment ready.

The programme will:

• Enable SMEs to take full advantage of the growth opportunities provided by the right package of finance
• Deliver a comprehensive programme of workshops and masterclasses
• Provide targeted grants (up to 40% of eligible costs) where part of a specific growth and investment strategy
• Assist SMEs to understand investor requirements and develop corresponding strategy/business plans
• Assist SMEs to understand and negotiate the financial support landscape
• Provide specialist support in relation to company growth plans
• Support the assembly of tailored packages of finance to aid SME growth and expansion
• Grow awareness and understanding of the various finance options available including equity finance
• Signpost to other relevant support, expertise and development opportunities

ICT for Growth

June 1, 2018 - May 31, 2021

Delivered as a product of the Humber Business Growth Hub, this three year scheme will provide a programme of interventions aimed at enabling SMEs in the Humber to create and/or adopt new products and processes, improve productivity and business resilience by utilising ICT more effectively to support business growth.

It will encourage and support the uptake of digital technologies, build business confidence in the use of such technologies and extend understanding of how digital technologies can be employed to solve business problems and deliver increased business competitiveness. This will be achieved by delivering the following activities:

• One-to-one advice to determine the needs of the client and to develop an action plan of support required to achieve the objectives
• A comprehensive programme of workshops / masterclasses, delivered by industry experts
• Voucher support to SMEs based on ICT projects identified through one-to-one advice and support from specialist ICT Advisors
• Broadband vouchers to cover part of the cost of upgrading to faster broadband for new start businesses