Young Worcestershire businesses offered expert help to Activate High Growth

Up-and-coming Worcestershire businesses are being offered the chance to get expert support to grow through a free programme delivered by business development specialists Rockfine Group.

Enterprising Worcestershire, part of Worcestershire County Council, has launched the Activate High Growth Programme, delivered by Rockfine, to help young companies create economic growth in the region and build new employment opportunities amid the post-pandemic recovery.

Rockfine Group, who specialise in mentoring business leaders to achieve greater success, are seeking applicants for the High Growth Activate Programme, which is open to:

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SME businesses based in Worcestershire, up to two years old

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Operating in all industries, at least 70% B2B

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With the potential to do things differently

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And who plan to achieve 20 increases in year-on-year revenue

What you will get from Rockfine-led Activate Programme

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1:1 Business Coaching – new companies need support to overcome the obstacles in their way as they grow through the early stages of business growth. This programme will provide you with an experienced Rockfine Group mentor who has been there, and in fact is still there as all of our business coaches also run their own businesses.

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A three-year growth plan – your growth plan forms the foundation of business activity and provides the compass for strategic decisions, a necessary tool as you build your revenues and team. This 3-year growth plan is the tangible output from the Activate programme.

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Workshops – the programme consists of a few very topical workshops to support your growth plan development work. The topics of financial management, growing your team, managing multiple revenue streams and pitching your business will be covered by experts with professional experience and connections.

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Peer Support – a strong element of the Activate programme is connecting you with like-minded business owners who are on a your similar journey and trajectory. It’s an opportunity to share, to understand you are not alone, and form friendships for bouncing off ideas and problem-solving solutions.

The Rockfine-led Activate programme for High Growth companies requires a commitment to really get the most out of it, but ultimately, most of the sessions will work around your schedule with the exception of 4 workshop dates which are fixed.

Testimonials from Rockfine growth programme attendees

“I now feel like our business has a more meaningful direction. I can now see a clear path through the fog. It’s great to get an outsider’s perspective because working inside your own business can make you too short-sighted and focussed either too narrowly or on the wrong thing. I was surprised about the benefits I’d get from our interactions.”

Dr Eamon Fulcher, Split Second Research

“Consultation with BD Dalton has given me clarity and cut through all my waffle around pricing and packaging up what we offer. I highly recommend BD.”

Rachel Conlisk, Creative Active Lives CIC

Who

Who can apply

The Activate programme, run on behalf of Enterprising Worcestershire, is not sector specific and it is open to entrepreneurs with strong business ideas who want to achieve their high growth potential. Through Activate, each business will get one to one business coaching to create an implementable three year growth plan, along with advice on securing grant funding to help them implement those growth plans. The Activate programme is open to any company based in Worcestershire in any sector which has been trading for up to two years and has potential for high growth. To qualify, 70% of your revenues should be from the business to business (B2B) market.

Why

Why you should apply

B.D. Dalton, Strategic Director for Rockfine Group, said Activate is aimed at young companies “with the potential to become high growth, high value businesses”. He said: “We are looking to support the more informed start-up company which has a strong concept and value proposition. The indicators used to identify the potential high growth businesses will include the strength of the proposition, the technical skills and knowledge and business acumen of the individual or team.”

Tom Young, Project Manager of Enterprising Worcestershire for Worcestershire County Council, encouraged businesses to get on board with Activate. Tom said: “Worcestershire has a thriving new business scene, with more companies looking to be based in our region as they shape fresh offerings for their markets. Activate helps Worcestershire County Council to generate economic growth for the county, creating new jobs and strong new businesses for the future.”

Our funders

Activate has been launched on behalf of Enterprising Worcestershire to help Worcestershire high growth SMEs accelerate toward success.

Activate is backed by the European Regional Development Fund with support from the European Union, Worcestershire County Council and regional growth body Midlands Engine.