Grow your business idea into reality with Spark Wirral

14 January 2025
Poster showing Spark Wirral logo, with tag line saying 'Transform your great idea into a successful business'
Got an idea you know would make a great business but don't know how to get started? Then read on, as Spark Wirral is now here to help.

Calling all budding Wirral entrepreneurs! If 2025 is your year to turn a dream business idea into reality, Spark Wirral is here to help with its fully funded programme to launch your venture.

Open to Wirral-based aspiring entrepreneurs with a digital, creative, or tech-driven idea that isn’t yet a registered company, Spark Wirral will offer a range of support to guide people through the start up journey. This programme offers expert-led support delivered by successful business founders to give you the foundations to successfully turn your business idea into a profit-making business. Those who sign up will get exclusive access to:

  • A start-up business workshop: A one-day interactive bootcamp on Saturday, 18th January, guiding participants through launching a new venture. Led by industry experts, it provides a comprehensive roadmap for building a profitable and resilient business.
  • Ongoing online support: From drop-in clinics to a wealth of online resources from Barclays Eagle Labs Academy, ongoing support will provide the perfect opportunity to ask follow-up questions, get clarity on next steps or to use the expert team as a sounding board for those big early decisions
  • Exclusive, free start-up resources: By joining Spark Wirral, participants will be in the running to access a fully funded package of business-building resources offering a real launchpad to success

The support is led by industry experts who have successfully started and scaled their own businesses and now want to help others do the same.

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

There are so many people out there with a brilliant business idea, but that aren’t sure where to start with getting it off the ground. Accelerate Wirral’s Spark programme is a fantastic free resource to making those dreams a reality, and it’s that budding entrepreneurs across Wirral can access this practical guidance and support as they set out on their journey.”

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

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

Spark Wirral provides exactly the type of practical support needed to enable entrepreneurs to turn brilliant ideas into the great businesses that we need here in the Liverpool City Region.  I’d encourage anyone with an idea for a digital, creative or tech business to take advantage of the free, expert support on offer.
 

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

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

Wirral is full of creative, ambitious entrepreneurs and we’re excited to bring them together with our team who have firsthand experience in starting and scaling businesses. We’re ready to guide participants step-by-step on their journey from idea to reality.

Sarah Goulden, Spark Wirral’s Project Director

Spark Wirral is a fully funded support programme for those in the digital, creative and technology sectors. 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.

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 the Liverpool City Region to scale and grow. 

To learn more about the support available and apply, visit http://www.gatherlcr.com/spark. Applications for Spark Wirral close on Friday 17th January.