New fully funded business support programme to help launches in Wirral

Designed to help local digital, creative and technology businesses unlock growth, Accelerate Wirral, will provide fully-funded business support to help entrepreneurs scale their companies without having to leave Wirral.

Whether looking to build more resilient business foundations, unlock sustainable, repeatable sales or break into new markets, Accelerate Wirral offers exclusive and free access to a range of support delivered by experienced industry experts, including:

• Expert-Led Workshops: Get exclusive access to growth advisers who’ve helped the likes of Nokia and Fitbit achieve global success, without leaving Wirral. Sessions are taking place throughout January and February, so you can adapt the programme to fit your schedule.
• 1:1 Coaching: Three hours of 1:1 tailored support with the same advisers to embed the learnings directly into your business.
• A Community of Like-Minded Leaders: Connect and collaborate with other Wirral business leaders who share your ambitions, challenges and opportunities.

Applications are welcome from all types of businesses operating within the digital, creative and technology industries, or have digital and tech enabled areas of their business. If you are a business leader or founder who is ambitious to unlock the next stage for your Wirral-based company, Accelerate Wirral can help you. Businesses need to have a team of 1 or more staff (alongside themselves) to be eligible.

Accelerate Wirral is led by two highly experienced industry experts, Hanna Läikkö and George Pneumaticos – who have a combined 50 years of experience in helping organisations scale up.  The programme is delivered by Gather, a community for digital, creative and tech leaders in the Liverpool City Region. Funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Gather has helped 200+ digital, creative and tech businesses across area to scale and grow.

Councillor Tony Jones, Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee, said:

“Giving businesses the tools to grow and build on their success is crucial to developing a thriving local economy. Accelerate Wirral is a really exciting opportunity for local leaders and founders in the digital, creative and technology industries to get free support to take their organisations to the next level. I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to apply and take advantage of the wide range of assistance on offer.”

Cllr Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said: 

“Getting the right support is crucial for businesses to be able to reach their potential, enabling them to grow, creating jobs and prosperity.  Funded by the Combined Authority, Gather has an excellent track record of proving practical support to help companies succeed.  I’d encourage any digital, creative and tech companies in Wirral to take advantage of this expert support.”

Sarah Goulden, Accelerate Wirral’s Project Director, said:

“We’re excited to be supporting Wirral’s ambitious and diverse digital, creative and tech sector. This support is truly tailored to address the unique growth challenges and opportunities that our sector face. Our team have started, grown and scaled their own business – and they’re at the ready to support your growth journey.”

Accelerate Wirral is fully funded. The support has been commissioned by Wirral Council and is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through the city region’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation.

If your business is still at the idea stage, then look out for Gather’s Spark Wirral programme, which also launches this month and is designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs to launch their business. Further details will be released soon.

Find out more about Accelerate Wirral or apply here – applications close on Friday 24^th January.

Find out the latest in Wirral here.