Second wave of high performing SMEs sought for next Spark2Scale cohort
22 May 2017
We're looking for more ambitious companies to take part in the second wave of our trailblazing business growth scheme, Spark2Scale.
The programme, which is free to qualifying companies, is tailored specifically for aspiring ‘scale-ups’.
Scale-ups are usually characterised as SMEs which have enjoyed 20% growth year-on-year for several years, or have the clear potential to grow at a similar rate over the next few years.
Utilising collaborative masterclasses, personal mentoring, peer-to-peer problem solving and bespoke business support from specialist Hub advisers, the Spark2Scale programme aims to tackle the barriers faced by scale-ups that are keen to grow, but which often lack the experience or confidence to take their business forward.
Following the success of the first cohort, who enrolled on the inaugural Spark2Scale programme in April, more firms are now being encouraged to apply for the second wave of workshops and masterclasses which will start in June, and will be hosted at the Chambers Business Centre in Oldham.
Hilary Centeleghe, the Hub's senior growth manager, said: “I know that there are lots of fantastic businesses, across all kinds of industries and sectors, which have huge potential but also face obstacles to growth. The Spark2Scale programme is specifically designed to address these issues, and it aims to instil a positive, ambitious, and confident scale-up mindset in those companies which participate.
“Scale-ups can also help to drive innovation and create jobs, so I’m very keen that local firms with the potential to succeed take advantage of this fantastic, fully-funded Business Growth Hub programme which has already been proven to be very popular with all kinds of businesses across Greater Manchester.”
The first Spark2Scale cohort have been very positive about the support and advice they have received so far. Feedback on the course content from all delegates has been ranked as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, with many praising the fresh thinking and new focus the programme has given them.
Meeting other business owners, and getting peer-to-peer advice and support is another area which participants have reported as being of great benefit from, as is the individual advice given by Hub advisors.
Caroline Patten, Operations Director for Stockport-based Grassroots Recruitment, said of her Spark2Scale experience so far: “The Spark2Scale Programme offered the opportunity to reassess our business plan, customer channels and growth strategy by delivering one-to-one advice from a team of industry experts. Being part of a cohort of business leaders at an equivalent stage of fast-track development has also provided an excellent forum for networking, ideas sharing and growth hacking.”
Ambitious scale-up businesses who believe they could also benefit from this type of fast-track growth programme have until May 31st to apply for the second Spark2Scale cohort.
Click here for full details or to register.