Tech South West is launching a new business support programme — Growth Forge — which gives tech companies in the south west the chance to work with expert business coaches and key partners.
Interested tech firms can complete a proprietary assessment to identify two to three priority growth areas, such as strategy, market awareness, innovation, technology, commercialisation, leadership, sales or marketing.
If their application is successful, they'll then be partnered up with the likes of Microsoft, accountancy firm Bishop Fleming and insurance company Howden, to work on things like product development and AI, as well as plugging into the region's investment funds and angel groups.
They'll also have the chance to work with a specialist business coach to help them develop and implement new growth opportunities — with coaches including TedX speaker and author Ruth Farenga; business acceleration consultant Andy Clarke; company culture expert and co-founder of The Future Kind, Alicia Grimes; and international pitch expert Martin Barnes.
The programme includes three immersive Growth Days in March, June and October as well as peer group and mentoring sessions.
Tech South West has ringfenced 25 per cent of the places on the programme for positive impact firms working on things like climate tech, sustainability, health and wellbeing, with bursaries covering 50 to 100 per cent of the programme fee for positive impact technology and early stage companies available, too.
Founder of Tech South West, Dan Pritchard, said: 'Most tech companies don’t have a team of highly experienced non-executive directors, including former tech CEOs, entrepreneurs and active investors covering every aspect of what a successful growth business requires.
'That’s where Growth Forge comes in; a cost-effective way to build and implement a strategy based on your company’s needs today, by plugging tech leaders directly into a curated team of standout experts who have the relevant expertise combined with a can-do attitude, supreme tech knowledge and essential contacts.'
Director and funding and support lead at Tech South West, Ben Cooper, added: 'Successful applicants will complete an initial online Growth Assessment, developed by Tech South West, to identify areas where support is needed. We will use that data to match the cohort with relevant experts, ahead of the first of three Growth Days. We can monitor progress and respond to that, as each navigates the programme.'
Growth Forge applications cost £495 plus VAT if submitted before Wednesday 31 January 2024, or £795 plus VAT thereafter and can be made via the Tech South West website.
