Lancaster LEAD® is a ten month programme which has been specifically designed by Lancaster University Management School for owner-managers of small to medium sized businesses. The programme concentrates on two areas of the business: the business itself and the personal development of the owner-manager, providing a framework to increase profitability, innovate and grow the business.

Scope/Activity

LEAD consists of 6 main elements:

• Overnight Experiential
• Masterclasses
• Coaching
• Action Learning Sets
• Shadowing and Exchanges
• Online Forum

What it involves;

LEAD is a 10 month intensive development programme and requires significant commitment from the participants. It is essential that delegates commit to all elements of the programme in order to achieve maximum benefit.

On average delegates commit to 2 to 3 days per month.

Independent evaluation of LEAD shows that graduates have, on average, seen increases in profit (70% of participants), turnover (55%), employment (49%) and productivity(65%).

Eligibility

The LEAD programme is for owner/managers, directors or anyone within the business that is able to implement change; we also ask that you are committed to the course. Businesses accepted onto LEAD should have a minimum of 5 employees and have ambitions to grow the business further.

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Lancaster University Management School is offering an excellent opportunity for businesses to team up with a group of undergraduate or postgraduate students. Students work in a small group on a consultancy basis to conduct research or solve challenging business issues. The students possess an excellent understanding of the principles of business management and their studies equip them with the knowledge required to provide companies with assistance across a diverse range of disciplines.

Scope/Activity

Depending on the project, students work in groups of two to seven with projects covering a whole range of business issues including:

• Management (Operations)
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Project Management
• Business Planning / New Venture Set up
• Human Resources Management

What it involves;

Projects are available throughout the year giving companies a chance to tap into student resource when they deem necessary. Project length varies from two to twenty. The majority of projects are carried out from Lancaster University so no direct day-to-day supervision will be required and you will not need to accommodate them in the company offices.

Students give their time free of charge; however we do ask that the client reimburses any costs that the students incur. All expenses are agreed between the client and student group at the start of the project.

Eligibility

Any business is eligible for a student consultancy project.

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GrowthAccelerator is a business support service aimed at companies in England with the potential to achieve rapid, sustainable growth. A network of business experts will provide 1:1 coaching to help companies overcome barriers to growth and achieve their ambitions. The service is delivered by the private sector in partnership with government. Benefits include the services of an experienced business coach, six half day high growth workshops and access to up to match funding for Leadership and Management training. Companies must be SMEs and registered in England.

Scope/Activity

Examples of GrowthAccelerator projects:

• Developing a sales and marketing strategy
• Support for a major change project
• Exploiting new markets, including overseas
• Designing and implementing lean manufacturing processes
• Helping an online retailer maximise sales.

There are no restrictions on sectors – so retail is included – and no postcode lottery.
See case studies at: www.growthaccelerator.com/success-stories
Video case studies at:  www.youtube.com/user/growthaccel?feature=results_main

What it involves;

• 1:1 coaching from a business expert, with specific experience relevant to your business. Scope of support and specific deliverables agreed at the outset.
• Six half day high growth workshops
• Up to £2,000 per person match funding for Leadership & Management training
• Connectivity to other relevant sources of business support
• Company contribution required depending on size: <10 employees: £600 +VAT; 10 – 49 employees: £1,500 +VAT; 50+ employees: £3,000 + VAT.

Our Growth Coaches have proven track records in helping SMEs accelerate their growth. They know how to lead you to ideas that can transform your business.

Eligibility

• Based in England
• Registered in England (or a Partnership)
• Fewer than 250 staff (FTEs)
• Under £40m turnover
• Not owned by a non-SME
•  >=20% growth ambition for the next 3 years
• Able and willing to invest your own time in the project.

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ERDF funded business support programme providing up to 150 hours of funded support to eligible NW based SMEs.

Scope/Activity

CV enhancing defined project that will help to support the business through a short infusion of enthusiastic business support eg Marketing, IT, Film production for website/YouTube applications. Through ERDF eligibility rules, we are not allowed to support some sectors such as Legal, Accountancy/Professional Services, Retail or E-Trading.

What it involves;

Company provides a job/person specification which we will endeavour to meet. The business will review CVs, interview candidates and select. The project allows us to work with businesses that aspire to grow and there is a need to record sales/no. employed and monitor level 9if any) of improvement.

Eligibility

Normal ERDF eligibility applies. The project is open to SME Businesses based in the North West (excluding Merseyside) employing less than 250 personnel and with sales turnover not exceeding £35 million (approximately). The project is open to B2B type organisations although there are some sectors as indicated above that are ineligible

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MAS (Manufacturing Advisory Service) is funded by BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills). MAS is designed to help manufacturers grow their businesses, increase profit, reduce waste, become more energy efficient and generally improve performance. Further, more detailed information about MAS can be found at: http://www.mymas.org/ or 0845 658 9600

Scope/Activity

• Innovation – assisting in growing top line sales and employment through new product development, innovation and business strategy programmes.
• Strategy – assisting clients to plan for growth by combining best practice with tailored regional plans designed to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and plan for a suitable future.
• Operational Improvement – assisting to identify constraints, quantify impacts and design transition plans to realise targeted operational output.
• Supply Chain – assisting to realise efficiencies through improved coordination with suppliers and customers.
• Finance – assisting clients by providing consultancy tailored to their financial requirements including manufacturing market insights, bespoke research into key markets, one-to-one strategic support and financial consulting from manufacturing experienced staff.

We don’t fund anything that is statutory or capital equipment (except tooling for new products)

What it involves;

SUBSIDISED CONSULTANCY SUPPORT FOR SMEs – MAS can provide up to 50% of the cost of an expert to help you improve your business:

• Step-Change – up to £3,000 and 50% subsidy towards improvement projects
• Further projects can be supported at a reduced percentage: 2nd project up to 40% and the 3rd project up to 30% of cost.

Eligibility

• Are you a Manufacturing company
• Do you employ fewer than 250 staff
•  Do you have a turnover of  <£50m
• And/or an annual balance sheet not exceeding £43m

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Manchester Solutions in conjunction with LCDL is offering an excellent opportunity for businesses to receive free finance consultancy support to assist businesses raising finance. Our specialists work on a one to one basis with the businesses to identify the key issues and assist with business plans, financial forecasts and all applications for funding .They also provide access to a wider range of business support services across all sectors .They have a wide and expansive network of providers and funding outlets and cover all corporate finance products available..

Scope/Activity

The project can support any sector and covers the following potential products:-

• Loans
• Venture Capital
• Business Angels
• Cash Flow Finance
• Asset Finance
• Grants Our main restrictions are that the business must be operating in a business to business arena and not retail or internet trading.

What it involves;

The specialist will work with the business offering face to face meetings followed by a full financial appraisal and recommendation. The business will be then set a list of activities to complete and the specialist will work with the business to achieve this. As well as offering all the above services the specialist may also be involved in coach mentoring and advising the business and assistance on implementing change. We also provide access to other support organisation like the:-Manufacturing Advisory Service and UK Trade and Industry programmes and local Growth Hubs .

Eligibility

Any B2B business. Annual turnover not exceeding €50m balance sheet total not exceeding €43m . Is not subject to an EU sector restriction, e.g. agriculture, fisheries, retail, production of synthetic fibres, clothing, and the manufacture of motor vehicles, shipbuilding, coal and steel. A maximum of 250 employees worldwide. Some others may apply please call for clarification

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• A long-standing additional source of funding for businesses in Lancashire which are finding it difficult to access the finance needed for growth from banks/asset funders.
• Priority is given to certain industry sectors – see below
• Companies must be in the administrative county of Lancashire

Scope/Activity

• Designed to aid growing businesses and hence contribute to job creation/the enhancement of local economies.
• Rosebud is not grant money.
• Rosebud is not available to businesses in Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool.

What it involves;

• Funding is by way of either loan, equity or a combination of the two.
• The amount available ranges from £50,000 to £1m.
• It can be used in support of capital or revenue expenditure.
• It is strongly preferred for Rosebud to not be the sole funding element but this is not a rigid requirement.

Eligibility

• Based in the administrative county of Lancashire?
• Not a PLC?
• In one of the following priority sectors?: Aerospace Advanced manufacturing Creative and Digital Energy and Environmental Finance and professional [companies inother sectors can be considered but will need to demonstrate that funding will bring very positive benefits to the local economy]
• If successful, will the funding be used to assist in expansion of the business and job creation – particularly skilled jobs?

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Knowledge Transfer / Internships / placements /work-experience Your opportunity to access Academic and student or graduate expertise

Scope/Activity

Aims The aim of the innovation voucher programme is to pump prime commercial activity and enable more academics to become engaged in knowledge transfer for the schools. Innovation vouchers are not designed as an alternative to other income generating activity and neither are they intended to subsidise work which is already in the pipeline, rather the intention is to enable engagement with external organisations (typically SMEs) in situations where it would not otherwise happen and where there is a good expectation that further engagement, funded by the third party, is a likely outcome.

What it involves;

Types of Voucher Following extensive feedback from the first round of internally funded vouchers, we will be offering three distinct values of voucher this time, each with a slightly different focus and with increasing expectations of further funded work: • £1,000 The £1,000 vouchers are intended to enable market research, scoping studies, customer surveys, feasibility studies and suchlike.

• £2,500 The £2,500 vouchers are aimed at evaluation of business processes, innovation/technology audits, efficiency audits, CPD/workshop development, academic skills enhancement, identification and delivery of consultancy opportunities and/or joint/collaborative grant applications.
• £5,000 The £5,000 vouchers are aimed at projects including proof of concept modelling, product testing/analysis, product development and prototyping exercises.

Eligibility

Assessment Criteria The success of each Voucher application will be measured against the following criteria:-

• Potential for future income /engagement activities for £1,000/£2,500 projects.
• Strong likelihood of future income (KTP, consultancy, etc) for £5,000 projects.
• Preference for projects with an organisation not previously involved with.
• Preference for projects which require cross-school collaboration.
• Strong Preference for projects where organisation is willing to match fund.
• Generation of UCLan/Company IPR.
• Quality of fit with UCLan medium term strategic objectives.
• Strategic importance of research/project area.

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Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization representing and supporting approximately 500 Lancaster district businesses across all size groups and sectors employing over 14,000 people. Our aim to help you make your business more profitable.

Scope/Activity

And how do we do this? By providing a range of services to help your business prosper, including: • Free 24 hour legal advice line • Free on-line Human Resources Management Service • Free Energy/utility audit • Promotional opportunities via monthly business to business magazine • Free promotional opportunities via e-newsletters • Free promotional opportunities via social media • Free promotional links via Chamber’s website business directory • Promotional opportunities via local newspaper • Organising events where you can network with other local businesses, share best practice, and find new customers and suppliers. • Arranging Briefings and Workshops to keep you up-to-date on a wide range of business topics. • Offering quality business and management training courses in association with our partner Chambers in the North West. • Providing a package of competitive and discounted commercial services to give you bottom-line savings on healthcare, vehicle breakdown & recovery and energy/utilities. • Responding to your enquiries for information and advice. • Providing certification of export documentation at discounted rates for Members. • Representing the views of the business community at local, regional and national levels. Make your Membership work for you – it’s a real promotional opportunity!

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Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer business loans provider and in partnership with Lancashire County Council, any eligible Lancashire based businesses can borrow up to £1 million for a period of up to 5 years. The loan will be funded by people from around the UK alongside Lancashire County Council.

Scope/Activity

Funding Circle loans are available to UK businesses that:

• have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000
• is limited companies or limited liability partnerships
• have 2+ years’ filed accounts with companies house.

These business loans can be used for a wide range of purposes, including growth capital, working capital, new asset purchase, property development and more. Lancashire County Council will participate in loans where the business is using the funding to drive growth and / or additional employment.

Where a local business has passed Funding Circle’s criteria but is not eligible for the Lancashire County Council lending, their loan will still be funded but the mix of investors providing the finance will not include the council.

What it involves;

Funding Circle offers the following types of business finance:

1. Unsecured loans
2. Secured loans
3. Asset finance

There is one short application process for these loans which involves the following steps:

Step 1: Apply
Applicants simply fill in the online application form in 20 minutes. A member of Funding Circle’s credit assessment team will give you an answer on the application within 2 days.

Step 2: Live loan auction
• All successful loan requests are listed on the marketplace as a new auction.
• Registered Funding Circle investors will then start bidding amounts of money at competitive rates.
• Over time, the higher rates will get knocked out of the bidding process as more competitive bids are placed.

Step 3: Accept your loan
• You can accept the loan as soon as it’s fully funded. Alternatively, you can keep it live on the marketplace for a maximum of 14 days, to see if the rate will come down any further as other investors bid.
• If you have applied for an unsecured loan: once you have accepted the loan online Funding Circle will transfer the fund to your account on the same working day (or, for asset finance loans they pay the supplier directly).

Eligibility

Minimum Criteria
• A minimum annual turnover of £100,000
• Businesses need to be limited companies or LLPs
• 2+ years’ filed accounts with companies house in order to apply
• Directors: UK resident
• No CCJs over £250

Company Location:
Funding Circle provides loans to businesses from anywhere in the UK.

Lancashire County Council will lend only to businesses within the council area.

Company Sectors:
Funding Circle provides loans to all sectors within the UK.

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