Improving Businesses
The Agency's main
objective is to support the business base of the
region. We do this by offering advice and support on growth,
innovation, productivity and efficiency. We can also assist with
staff and management training through schemes such as Train to Gain
and business mentoring.
We don’t just help Northwest businesses strengthen their
position locally; we also help them expand outside of the UK. The
Agency is working with UK Trade and
Investment to support businesses considering
trading internationally.
Find out more about the different types of support offered:
Growth and Innovation
High Growth Programme
Intensive coaching, workshops, networks and
online resources for new businesses with the potential to create a
turnover of £500k within three years, and SMEs with a turnover of
under £10 million which are capable of achieving at least 20%
growth per year.
Innovation Advice & Guidance
Advice and specialist support to help SMEs
innovate and improve performance, including a diagnosis of
innovation needs.
Knowledge to Innovate
Free, intensive support to introduce
organisational innovation for the whole business.
Innovation Vouchers
Funding to help businesses pay for research
and development support from universities, colleges or private
sector research establishments in the region.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
A grant to support the placement of a
recently qualified person in a business. The grant covers
two-thirds of the costs for SMEs and half of the costs for large
companies.
Grant for Research & Development
To assist businesses to introduce innovative
products and processes including research trials and product
testing. The grant covers 35% to 60% of the project costs up to
£500,000.
Productivity and Efficiency
Manufacturing Advisory Service
Offers specific support for manufacturing
SMEs to help reduce costs and improve productivity and
efficiency.
Improving Your Resource Efficiency
Advice and support to help businesses become
resource efficient, reduce their carbon impact and increase
competitiveness.
Grant for Improving your Resource Efficiency
Part of Improving Your Resource Efficiency,
this grant is to assist capital purchases that demonstrate carbon
dioxide reductions. The grants cover 50% of the capital costs up to
Eur200k.
Environmental Advice Service
Information and advice to help businesses
save money, increase efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint,
while making sure they don’t fall foul of tough new environmental
laws.
Training and Skills
Train to Gain - People Development
Funding towards accredited employee training
and development up to NVQ Level 4.
Train to Gain: Leadership & Management
Funding of up to £1k per individual towards
the cost of relevant training and development for leaders and
managers to improve the performance and competitiveness of a
business.
Apprenticeships
Funding to train apprentices to work
alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills, alongside
training from a local training provider.
LEAD Programme (Leading Enterprise & Development)
A leadership programme designed specifically
around the needs of SME owners and managers to encourage leadership
skills and improve business performance.
Business Mentoring
Support from an experienced business mentor
either on a group or one-to-one basis for leaders, managers and
entrepreneurs to improve their business performance and growth.
International Trade
Export Credit Guarantee
Insurance policies for contracts involving
the export of capital equipment and project related goods and
services.
Accessing International Markets
Specialist and in-depth market research and
advice for businesses considering exporting into new overseas
markets. Also includes financial support towards the costs of
overseas trade fairs and missions.
Developing Your International Trade Potential
Advice and funding to businesses to support
preparation, entry and expansion into overseas markets.
Business Support
These products and
services are part of the Solutions For Business
portfolio, which is wholly funded by the Government and
Government-funded organisations, such as the NWDA.
You can get more information on any of our products and services
that could help improve your business from Business Link
Northwest.
By phone: 0845 00 66 888
By email: info@businesslinknw.co.uk
Online: www.businesslinknw.co.uk