SMALL businesses across the region -are being urged to access new vouchers to help them grow.
The £30m Growth Vouchers scheme, which is being launched by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), is available to businesses which are VAT registered, have been trading for over a year have 49 employees or less, and have not paid for strategic advice in the last three years.
They can apply for up to £2,000, to match their own investment, to be spent on strategic business advice to support their growth plans.
The advice available can cover five key areas, raising finance and managing cash flow; recruiting and developing staff; improving leadership and management skills; marketing, and making the most of digital technology.
Winning Pitch has been chosen as the delivery partner for the North and says there is also an opportunitiy for businesses to supply this support across the region.
Private sector suppliers can register to be listed on the Enterprise Nation online marketplace, through which small businesses can redeem the vouchers. Small businesses will pay the supplier and then claim back up to £2,000 from government.
Winning Pitch chairman John Leach said: "Our mission is to assist companies that have high growth potential. Businesses that seek advice are more likely to grow and we want to help them access the support they need."
Skills minister Matthew Hancock added: "Access to high-quality business advice at the right time can make the difference for small business owners aiming to realise their ambitions.
"Whether it is growth, moving into new markets or hiring more staff, there is a wealth of expertise available to small businesses. Growth Vouchers will allow us to find out scientifically what advice small businesses value, and to shape government advice in the future according to business need.