Upscaling firms to get funding and support from new programme

Businesses looking to grow are invited to join a new programme of events and workshops delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The new High Growth Academy, which is supported by the University of Derby , University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, aims to equip scaling businesses with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to innovate and grow sustainably.

The academy is part of the wider High Growth Accelerator project that has received £450,352 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It is open to businesses that can demonstrate 20% annual growth in revenue, employment, or market share over the past three consecutive years.

Support includes a series of workshops reflecting the needs of businesses at different stages of their growth journeys and monthly high growth forums enabling businesses to access support, hear from industry experts and share insight with peers.

Additional support to help businesses with their growth journeys is also being offered as part of the wider High Growth Accelerator project.

Diane Beresford, deputy chief executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “Growing at pace is only possible if the business has the right products, processes and people in place.

“Together with our partners at the University of Derby, University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, East Midlands Chamber has curated a programme of expert High Growth Academy support through its High Growth Accelerator project.

“Our aim is to equip businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to rise to the challenges of today’s business environment, not least tackling recruitment, skills, cashflow and funding concerns.

“Whether a business is seeking to drive innovation, improve how it manages its finances, adapt its structures or coach its leaders and emerging leaders in high performance, we have the expertise and resources to turn ideas into real action.”

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “Businesses across the East Midlands have boundless potential for growth, but those same businesses tell me every day just how few hours in the day there are to think and plan for this.

“The High Growth Academy makes that space, drawing on the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s UKSPF funding but also expertise from business and academia.

“So, whether your business is starting or scaling, this could be the programme for you.”

For more information and to register visit https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/accelerator/.