This leap year – get your business off the ground!
Have you got a business idea which could be turned into a fast growing business?
Do you need help with finance, coaching and mentoring to get it off the ground?
If so, then 2012 is the year for you to take the Leap!
Pennine LEAP, an exciting new start up support programme designed to help businesses with growth potential, has been launched today, Wednesday, February 29.
It is being delivered by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire’s Enterprise and Employment Team and a network of enterprise partners. The programme is financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund following a successful bid by Regenerate.
Pennine LEAP provides intensive coaching, mentoring, HR specialists, social enterprise and international trade support to non retail enterprises across Pennine Lancashire, which includes Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn,Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.
The programme also provides finance support and the benefit of an experienced business mentor for up to two years.
Specialist enterprise providers who will provide free coaching and mentoring support to new enterprises include Enterprise4all Ltd, Winning Pitch, Community and Business Partners, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and SELNET Ltd.
Steve Hoyle, Managing Director for Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, said: “Pennine Lancashire has shown that it is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, with new opportunities, such as attracting European funding and increasing the offer for those wanting to start up. Pennine LEAP is aimed at helping high growth businesses get off the ground. We are offering a full package of support to help people turn their ideas into thriving businesses.”
Ilyas Munshi, Chief Executive of Enterprise4all said, “Pennine LEAP provides a fantastic opportunity for local people with aspirations to develop high growth businesses. They will have access to a comprehensive suite of support provision, including specialist advice, training, funding and much more. We look forward to working with partners and Regenerate Pennine Lancashire through this initiative”.
Liz Tapner, Network Manager of SELNET said, “Pennine LEAP will provide really exciting opportunities to new Social Enterprises and develop community initiatives. We are looking forward to working with representatives to respond to the needs of communities”.
Ed Murphy, International Trade and Training Director at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The companies in Pennine Lancashire are very lucky in terms of the support available for new businesses in working in international markets. They are extremely well supported by a sophisticated network of organisations and this has been refined over the last 12 years so there is no reason not to go for it! Businesses are going to decline or stay still in the current climate for around the next 10 years so in terms of growth, the only option will be overseas trade.”
Jane Houghton Fenning, Business Development Director from Community Business Partners said: “We are delighted to be involved in Pennine LEAP and be working with such a high calibre of partners. As HR has been identified as a key area that inhibits business growth, it is a very important aspect of the programme. Job creation is one of the key critieria and we will offer a wide range of support from being legally complaint to effective HR processes and practices.”
Photo: (from left) Steve Hoyle, Ilyas Munshi, Liz Tapner, Ed Murphy, Brian Dormond (from Winning Pitch) and Jane Houghton Fenning.
