Specialist support delivers for Creative, Digital and Tech businesses
More than 60 Wirral-based entrepreneurs have launched or scaled their businesses thanks to two fully funded specialist programmes delivering targeted support for the borough’s growing Creative, Digital and Tech (CDT) sector.
The Wirral CDT Specialist Support initiative provided two distinct programmes; Spark Wirral, for entrepreneurs just starting out in the sector, and Accelerate Wirral, for leaders of established businesses looking to scale their company.
Delivered by leading business support experts at Form, both programmes were commissioned by Wirral Council and funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Spark Wirral guided individuals through the early stages of starting up a company in the CDT sector while Accelerate Wirral provided cohort-based workshops, one to one consultancy and coaching for existing business owners to build resilience and equip them with tools and strategies for sustainable growth and scale-up.
66 people took part across the two programmes, with bespoke support sessions held in local venues from Heswall and Hoylake, to Wallasey and Birkenhead.
The Spark programme included a one-day bootcamp and online follow-up sessions led by industry experts who have successfully started and scaled their own businesses. The aim was to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge and confidence to kickstart their business.
Participants received ongoing online support, including drop-in clinics as well as access to learning materials from Barclays Eagle Labs Academy.
Among those who received support through Spark are Louise, Founder of Resilient CIC, who said:
I was feeling a little lonely and isolated as a small business owner, relying mainly on grant funding. Meeting with like-minded business owners through Spark has been great, and I have done business with one person already from the programme. Attending the course has also given me the courage to grow our provision, and during the last two weeks of the programme, I found a building which would fit our needs perfectly.
Another alumni of the programme is Ruth Timmins-Williams of Emulsional Support, who said:
Drilling down into our core purpose has made us more focused and so much stronger to face challenges.” And Julia Strelczuk of Nettle shared: “I feel much more connected with local businesses and much more grounded in the direction my business is heading.
Accelerate Wirral was led by two highly experienced industry experts, Hanna Läikkö and George Pneumaticos – who have a combined 50 years of experience in helping organisations scale up. Dennis Outten, CEO at Focal Studios, told how his business benefitted from Accelerate Wirral. He said:
We are stronger, faster, more resilient, have more purpose, and more belief. I feel more confident as a leader and also handle clients and staff in a better way after learning from the programme.
93% of participants in Accelerate Wirral reported feeling more resilient, proactive, and ready for the future because of the support they received.
The programmes have already had measurable impact on business growth and the creation of employment opportunities in Wirral, with:
- 2 new businesses launched
- 5 new full time equivalent jobs
- 71% of participants planning to hire in the next 12 months
- 100% of participants expecting business growth year-on-year
40% of participants who took part were accessing business support for the first time.
Spark Wirral fostered inclusivity:
- 69% of participants had at least one protected characteristic
- 47% identified as female
- 18% identified as an ethnicity other than white
- 7% identified as LGBTQ+
Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Cllr Mark Skillicorn said:
Helping and nurturing our local businesses and entrepreneurs is one of the key ways we are investing in our borough’s future. These innovative business support programmes are already delivering clear, measurable value, and I’m really pleased to see how experienced business people have been able to share their knowledge and expertise to bring about such positive outcomes.
Cllr Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Business and Investment said:
Small and medium sized businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, creating growth, prosperity and high-quality jobs for local people. Starting and growing a business is hugely challenging which is why we are so keen to support these kinds of programmes, which see experienced professionals delivering targeted advice and support to give our region’s entrepreneurs the best possible chance of success.
