AD:VENTURE has secured new funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is taking to the road to help new businesses across West Yorkshire turn their business dreams into a reality.
Statistics show that almost 60% of new businesses fail in the first three years of trading. AD:VENTURE provides ambitious new businesses trading less than three years with a tailored programme of support to help to them establish strong roots, grow and achieve their full potential.
Starting a new business can be hard and AD:VENTURE has spent the last seven years supporting over 4,112 businesses and 1,989 individuals, approving 709 grants worth a total of £3,621,774, creating 890 additional jobs across Yorkshire.
The high-quality business support service has secured new funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority. It’s taking to the road with launch events for new business in Wakefield, Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, and Calderdale, to show what support is available to give their business the best possible start.
The AD:VENTURE roadshow begins at Wakefield Town Hall on 27th September and is aimed at new business owners across West Yorkshire. These businesses will have been trading for less than three years and have a clear ambition for growth. AD:VENTURE is keen to welcome business support and intermediaries too, such as accountants, professional services and consultants, to understand what the new look comprehensive programme of training and workshops can offer new businesses and start-ups.
Clare Elliott, Service Director for Economic Growth and Skills, Wakefield Council who is speaking at the inaugural launch event, said: “Supporting entrepreneurs builds the local and regional economy, creating new jobs and increasing skills. With over 25,000 new businesses created in West Yorkshire in 2022, it is vital that we give them all the support that we can to help them navigate that tricky first three years.
“AD:VENTURE offers far more than funding to help new businesses grow, including one-on-one support from business managers, advice, networking and workshops, and the funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners means we are able to provide this to support new businesses without any cost to them.”
AD:VENTURE support isn’t sector specific; a start-up or new business has to be trading for less than three years with a clear ambition to grow and be based in West Yorkshire.
A broad range of Wakefield businesses have already benefitted from AD:VENTURE support. The Green Keeper is a commercial and domestic garden service based in Wakefield that carries out ground maintenance, providing safe, green spaces across the city. Theresa Barrett, from The Green Keeper, said: “We cannot thank the team at AD:VENTURE enough for all their support and expertise in helping our business grow. We would highly recommend any young business to join the programme.”
It's a view shared by Craig Antcliffe of AME Security Solutions Ltd, a Wakefield-based, full-service security provider nationwide, from manned sites to closer personal protection services. Craig explains: “AME was introduced to the AD:VENTURE team in our infancy, the help and advice we received at various stages of our business development was really helpful. The advice we received regarding grants, what we could apply for, and at what time, was extremely useful in our business growth.”
The mentoring and support from business managers are just as important as financial support and many start-ups have come into being because of this, as Ellen Aindow, Leadership Coach, from & Thrive Nowattests: “The AD:VENTURE programme helped me turn my ideas into something real. It helped me to recognise that I actually have a business and one that changes people’s lives. The one-to-one coaching and mentoring I received was absolutely invaluable at a time that can be very challenging and very lonely, thank you AD:VENTURE!”
Through AD:VENTURE, trading businesses under three years old have access to funding from delivery partners, The Business Enterprise Fund, including their Start Up loan and grants from £1,500 - £10,000 as well as support from experienced Business Managers in their local area, to guide them to growth and stability. New businesses are also given a helping hand with access to a wide range of free training workshops such as mapping your customer journey, marketing, strategy, and sales.
The launch of the new-look AD:VENTURE takes place at The Kingswood Suite, Wakefield Town Hall (Wednesday 27th September 8.45am – 12pm). Claire Elliott, Service Director for Economic Growth and Skills will open the event and introduce guests to the Wakefield AD:VENTURE business managers, Keith Evans and Paige Cottam. Successful start-ups will be on hand to talk about their experience and successes following business support. Visit AD:VENTURE Wakefield Launch to reserve a free place on a first come, first served basis.
For more information of how AD:VENTURE can support new businesses across West Yorkshire contact by telephone on 0113 5351199 or email adventure@leeds.gov.uk.
