More than 250 entrepreneurs from across West Yorkshire have attended recent AD:VENTURE events to hear about the fully funded support available to help them scale-up their businesses.
A final roadshow event is due to take place in Halifax at the Elsie Whitley Innovation Centre, on the 6 December to reach new businesses in Calderdale and encourage them to take advantage of the support on offer.
Calderdale has unique natural landscapes, thriving towns such as Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Brighouse and a rich cultural scene. Its rugged terrain has inspired literary giants such as the Bronte Sister Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. The historic mills and townscapes continue to inspire and provide a popular backdrop for film and television shows such as Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, and Gentleman Jack.
It's no surprise that West Yorkshire has created a digital hub and creative hotbed, with almost 9,000 businesses in the sector with an annual turnover of £2.5 billion**. Calderdale is a magnet for creative businesses drawn by this inspiring and collaborative environment.
AD:VENTURE has supported a number of creative and digital start-ups across the Calder valley and the forthcoming event will feature entrepreneurs from three successful businesses (Michael Crinnion, CEO and Founder, Mind Body Goals, Alixe Lobato, Creative Director of Flying Duck Studios) and David Bryan, Owner of Ernest Rose Heritage Joinery.
Grant funding helped Michael Crinnion create marketing tools for his science based, well-being products as well as an ecommerce system and website to accelerate growth. Creative Director, Alixe Lobato described AD:VENTURE’s support to ethical and inclusive Flying Duck Creative Studios as ‘bridging the gap between their creative vision and the practical aspects of running a successful studio’ suggesting their guidance helped the company to ‘not only weather the challenges but to thrive and grow.’
This fifth and final AD:VENTURE launch event will be the perfect opportunity to meet the new local Calderdale Business Manager, Domenico Mariconda. A tech entrepreneur and former Managing Director of The Right Fuelcard Company, he brings a wealth of experience to the role. With his understanding of the intricacies of business growth, customer engagement and passion for nurturing start-ups, Domenico is the perfect fit for growing businesses in Calderdale.
Cllr Sarah Courtney, Cabinet Member, Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, who will be speaking at the event, said: “We can’t underestimate the value and pivotal role of small and medium sized enterprises to our economy, which is why encouraging and supporting new and growing businesses is crucial for our region.
“The AD:VENTURE programme, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and its partners, including Calderdale Council, provides fully-funded business growth support to early-stage companies. We are fully committed to AD:VENTURE delivering its excellent services free of charge to fledgling businesses to foster growth, create employment opportunities and enhance the economic well-being of West Yorkshire.
“Calderdale is exceptionally proud of its reputation for collaborative creative industries and thriving digital hub, however, that does not restrict other businesses in other sectors from accessing business support, with the AD:VENTURE programme open to all sectors. The aim is to create a sustainable environment for ambitious businesses who are keen to grow, develop and create employment opportunities for the region, regardless of sector.”
AD:VENTURE has actively worked with over 4,112 businesses and 1,989 individuals, delivered a programme of over 1000 events, and approved 709 grants worth a total of £3,621,774. The support also created 890 additional jobs across Yorkshire from 2017 to 2023. It’s recent successful roadshows across West Yorkshire have introduced over 250 entrepreneurs to the opportunities for growth available to them through funding and advice from the business programme.
The AD:VENTURE programme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and its Partners, including Calderdale Council, which allows it to provide business support services at no cost to the early-stage companies. This support encourages business growth and creates employment opportunities which improves the economic wealth and well-being of West Yorkshire. Eligible enterprises, trading for less than three years, can access workshops, loans and grant funding, as well as the knowledge and expertise of AD:VENTURE’s experienced Business Managers to navigate them through their journey.
Visit Elsie Whitley Innovation Centre, Halifax on 6th December, to reserve a free place on a first come, first served basis.
For more information of how AD:VENTURE can support new businesses across West Yorkshire contact by telephone on 0113 5351199 or email: adventure@leeds.gov.uk.
