Leeds-based digital marketing company Ascensor has been selected as a high growth business and invited to take part in the strategic growth program led by Innovate UK EDGE, as part of the UK agency’s investment in innovative businesses that drive economic growth.
High potential businesses
The scheme complements Innovate UK’s project funding with intensive, specialist-led support for ambitious businesses like Ascensor.
The firm will benefit from a dedicated specialist to exploit innovation, enter new markets and access innovation funding support.
Ascensor are also taking part in a fully funded strategic leadership program, working with other high-growth businesses and mentors in the areas of talent, technology and leadership development.
Andrew Firth, MD of Ascensor explains: “We’re delighted to have been selected for this initiative and have access to the innovation support it provides. This will enable us to further develop and strengthen the innovative digital services that we provide to a range of clients, from start-ups to PLCs.”
“We provide websites and digital marketing services, many of which rely on sophisticated technology to enable them to operate. Our role is to streamline the development of software and create robust web packages that work fast, and seamlessly, for our clients.”
Andrew adds: “Working with our innovation and growth specialist, we’ve identified products and services for development. This support will help Ascensor to develop software products to improve our own processes, as well as SaaS products for resale to other businesses.”
Multiplier effect
“In many ways” says Andrew Firth, “the support has a multiplier effect. It enhances the development of our innovative capabilities, which means that we can then enable other companies to innovate their own channels, trade more profitably, and grow.”
“Whilst much of our software development is bespoke, we have identified areas where we have an ability to productise our offer.”
“A key opportunity for productisation is in the enhancement of our Air:Ecommerce entry-level online retail solutions, but we’re also now in the beta development of efficiency saving software and micro-services solutions.”
Innovation and Growth Specialist, Ann Storey led the development of the funding proposal. Commenting on the high growth funding she says:
”Ascensor are very well suited for Innovate UK EDGE services. They are a highly driven, ambitious business that is continually looking at ways to improve its digital services as well as business performance.”
She adds: “Working with Ascensor to review and develop the innovation business processes is proving to be very productive, as the team are open to new ways of thinking. They are also keen to further improve internal processes, to result in a more dynamic and efficient way of developing new ideas for service and products to delivery.”
ScaleUp Institute programme
The identification of Ascensor as a high-growth business has also led to Andrew Firth being invited to take part in a fully funded peer to peer initiative through the ScaleUp Institute.
The ScaleUp Institute is a private sector, not-for-profit organisation which helps to influence and improve the development of entrepreneurial businesses and facilitates their development and growth. It is committed to taking the UK’s international reputation for start-up businesses to the next level, by developing a world-leading nation of high growth enterprises for the benefit of current and future generations.
Andrew Firth comments: “In the past two years Ascensor has grown significantly and we’re on target to double our turnover in the financial year ahead. We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition and the support we’re getting from Innovate UK. ”
In January 2021 Ascensor won Best Large Digital Agency of the Year in the Northern Digital Awards.
