Start-up support

High-growth business in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are expected to be given a boost by the launch of two programmes worth almost £9m.

Over the next three years, Oxford Innovation, a provider of business services, will manage the programmes by providing individuals and businesses with access to coaching, business advice and financial support.

The Starting a High-Growth Business programme will help potential entrepreneurs start up and develop their businesses. The Coaching for High Growth programme will target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so that they can realise their potential.

Rob Walker, project manager for the Coaching for High Growth programme, said: ‘We aim to provide a very practical coaching programme and our team can help managers of SMEs who are looking for a new perspective on a business or would like help with specific issues such as growing businesses through a step change, refining business models, identifying new markets, sourcing new technologies, extending geographical reach and building teams. We are also able to link participants into other business assistance and contacts from our wider networks.’

Thelma Sorensen, chair of Cornwall Business Partnership, added: ‘Much of our European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) Convergence investment is focussing on economic ambition – people wanting to expand their businesses or to start successful businesses. These packages will support exactly those aims.’

More than £8m of the funding has been provided the ERDF Convergence programme and a further £900,000 from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).