SEMLEP’s Velocity Growth Hub takes centre stage in National Growth Hub Week

Velocity Growth Hub – which offers support, mentoring and advice to locally-based small to medium sized (SME) businesses seeking to grow and expand – is preparing to play a key part in National Growth Hub Week this month.

The week-long event, which runs from Monday, 16^th May, is designed to celebrate the 39-strong network of growth hubs in England, highlighting the impact they have made in supporting the growth of local businesses.

Hundreds of events will take place across the country during the week and in the South East Midlands – an area which covers Aylesbury, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell, Luton, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire – a host of workshops and drop-in clinics have been planned by Velocity to support small to medium sized businesses based in this area.

The Velocity Growth Hub team have also been invited to make a presentation to government on Monday (16^th May), to summarise Velocity highlights and success.

Gayle Pope, Head of Business Services at SEMLEP, said: “Pop into one of our many events to access bespoke advice that really will help your business thrive. Whether you want support with a business plan, need grants to grow, want help networking with the right people or need specific help with anything from social media to people management, then come and see us.”

Tuesday, 17^th May, Towcester: Drop in clinic at South Northamptonshire Council from 10am to 12noon, with Velocity adviser Richard Thompson. Find out how Velocity can help your business grow, employ new staff, access funding and more. 

Wednesday, 18^th May:

• Bedford: Meet Business Adviser Aruna Bhagwan at the Business Parlour Networking event, 44 Harpur Street, Bedford.
• Central Beds: Meet Business Adviser Bisola Orimalade at Flitwick Business Club, Flitwick.
• Milton Keynes: Meet Business Adviser Emmanuelle Clément at Business After Hours event, MK Casino, 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Thursday, 19^th May:

• Kettering: Meet Business Adviser Ruth Roan at Chesham House, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
• Luton: Meet Business Adviser Bisola Orimalade at Basepoint Innovation Centre, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
• Daventry: Meet Business Adviser Richard Thompson at Icon Innovation Centre, 12.30pm to 4pm.

Friday, 20^th May

• Cherwell: Meet Business Adviser Richard Thompson at Cherwell District Council offices, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
• Northampton: Meet Business Adviser Ruth Roan at Northampton Borough Council offices, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Book your place on any of these events by clicking HERE.

All about Velocity:

Velocity was first established by SEMLEP in 2014 with funding from the government’s Growing Places Fund and Regional Growth Fund. Following the successful completion of this programme in June 2015 the SEMLEP board unanimously voted for the growth hub to continue to support businesses.

Now, with applications for funding to both the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the European Regional Development Fund SEMLEP can confirm that its Velocity Growth Hub will continue to support local businesses for at least a further three years.

In addition to its network of Business Advisers Velocity Growth Hub includes:

• A business information portal on the web www.velocitygrowthhub.co.uk
• A programme of business workshops and webinars
• One-to-one advice and guidance for SMEs.

Since its launch in January 2014 Velocity has:

• Engaged with 16,600 businesses through its website, social media channels and networking events
• Provided one-to-mentoring to over 1,700 businesses
• Delivered training workshops for over 750 businesses
• Awarded £1 million in revenue and capital grants that resulted in the creation of 250 new jobs and safeguarding of 400 existing jobs.

To access support from SEMLEP’s Velocity Business Advisers either email the individual operating in your area or call the Velocity team on 0300 01234 35. Also, please call this event if you are interested in attending any of our National Growth Hub Week events.

www.velocitygrowthhub.com