Digital and technology firms in Bradford are being urged to take advantage of the return of the Northern Max support programme.
The free business support programme, which is now in its third year, will be delivered from the City Hub, and technology-oriented companies less than three years old are invited to take part.
Northern Max 3 will take place over ten weeks, starting on 23 April. It includes one-to-one mentoring alongside workshops and masterclasses led by experienced business coaches. Topics covered will include preparing a business plan, setting targets, profiling target customers and marketing. There will also be hot desking facilities available, and an opportunity to pitch for potential investment at the end of the programme.
The aim of Northern Max is to enable companies in the digital sector to grow and develop the reputation of Bradford and the Leeds City Region as a hub for the technology community.
Entheos Media Group took part in the programme in 2019 and have since been able to expand their client base. Creative director Ryan Murphy said: “The programme was enormously helpful for taking our own expertise in our given field and giving us the tools necessary for transforming our skills into a functional and growing business.
“Since our time at Northern Max, we’ve got funding, grants and have gained a bigger client base than we ever would have without it. The workshops and talks were exceptionally helpful at giving us the insight and outside-the-box thinking that allowed us to see our business in a whole new light, and allowed us reshape our business model so that we could grow exponentially.”
Northern Max 3 will be delivered by Greenborough Business Management’s 10x10 accelerator programme in partnership with Bradford Council and AD:VENTURE, a business support programme for new businesses in North and West Yorkshire funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Michelle Davis, part of the 10x10 team at Greenborough, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the delivery partner for Northern Max 3. 10x10 is passionate about helping firms to grow through our bespoke business accelerator programme and wrap-around support. Our team are looking forward to delivering the programme and making a difference to businesses from Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region.”
Up to 40 companies have received Northern Max support since the programme started in 2018.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “As part of our aim to be the UK’s fastest growing economy in the next decade, we are committed to supporting our businesses with programmes like Northern Max, which will make a difference to the economic prosperity of the region.
“I am delighted to see exciting young companies and entrepreneurs being given access to business support like this. Programmes like Northern Max which are delivered by industry specialists give businesses the crucial support network they need to grow, and that ultimately benefits Bradford and the wider region.”
For more details on the Northern Max 3 programme, visit https://ad-venture.org.uk/northernmax3/.
