FAST-GROWING BUSINESSES across Northamptonshire only have a few weeks left to sign up for a peer networking group.
SEMLEP’s Growth Curve programme features a Peer Networks initiative which gives business owners the chance to benefit from three hours of business coaching and a further ten hours of networking with leaders of fast-growing firms.
The ten hours of networking are divided into five sessions, featuring around 12 businesses, which are led by a professional facilitator.
However, with funding for the Growth Curve programme coming to an end, businesses have until April 28 to register for the last set of online Peer Network sessions.
The Pinnacle Climbing Centre managing director Simon Ager took his business in Northampton to new heights with support from Growth Curve business advisers and a grant which enabled him to install a new speed climbing wall.
Climbers enjoy the facilities at The Pinnacle Centre in Northampton which has received support from the Growth Curve programme
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He said: “We would not have been able to do this without the advice, time and support from the team at SEMLEP and it has provided a missing piece in the jigsaw. I would thoroughly recommend SEMLEP’s Growth Curve programme to any business owner. Just get involved. If you do not talk to them, you do not find out about these things so start the conversation and see what they can do for you. You will not regret it.”
The maximum grant available to businesses is £10,000 and match-funding is required from the company. The grants are for revenue projects and the funding needs to be spent by June 15.
To help businesses with their grant applications, SEMLEP is running a free online Revenue Grant Surgery from 10am to 12 noon on Friday April 21.
SEMLEP Growth Hub manager Vicky Hlomuka pictured right said: “During the pandemic lots of companies became leaner and as they are now starting to grow again many are telling us they are struggling with recruitment.
“As a result, many business owners have had to move away from planning for the future because they have had to return to more day-to-day tasks. Many owners feel their businesses are taking control of them instead of them being in control of their business.”
Peer Networks bring firms face to face with other company owners who are also growing their businesses and who understand the challenges well.
“The business owners who have taken part in our Peer Networks have shared brilliant insights with each other about how their peers can free up time in their own firms which has enabled lots of companies to start planning for the future again,” Ms Hlomuka said.
Growth Curve is open to firms which are experiencing or projecting high growth in the next two to three years, have at least two employees, have been trading for at least two years and have a current annual turnover of £100,000 with projected 20 per cent annual growth minimum.
Growth Curve and its Growth Curve Peer Networks are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The Peer Networks programme is delivered by SEMLEP in conjunction with New Level Results.
To register for support from the Growth Curve programme fill in the enquiry form at www.semlepgrowthhub.com/growth-curve/
To find out more about the Growth Curve Peer Networks visit www.semlepgrowthhub.com/growth-curve-peer-networks/