Could you be Stockport’s next ‘pioneer’?

Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) is launching a new hunt for entrepreneurial talent in Stockport.

Pioneer 10 is designed to give people with great business ideas exciting access to a free business award and growth coaching programme.

It is aimed at early-stage businesses keen to grow along with established businesses looking to innovate and/or enter new markets.

Pioneer 10 follows on from SBIC’s successful Spark competition that has run for the last two years and unearthed the ground-breaking Bariquin and Inspired Goodbyes business concepts.

This time the scheme will find and support the region’s top ‘pioneers’ over a 10-month period.

Business owners who want to be considered for the scheme can apply online.

A judging panel including business experts from Gorvins, Clarke Nicklin, Royal Bank of Scotland, Appleyard Lees, Souter PR, Stockport Council, Tangent Design, Zoom Media and Novomodo will select ten of the pioneering businesses to receive one to one coaching and guidance.

This stage will open up a world of new possibilities for business owners and significantly increase their chance of success.

Two Pioneer 10 entrepreneurs will be selected at the final awards event – a winner and runner-up – for a longer-term, high-impact business support package worth around £15,000.

The programme is part of SBIC’s continued commitment to support entrepreneurs. SBIC provides flexible office space specifically aimed at nurturing fledgling businesses and offers mentoring and support to help start-ups and young businesses develop and deliver a robust business plan.

The facility is managed by Oxford Innovation and owned by Stockport Council.

Tony Corcoran, Incubation Director at SBIC, believes the Pioneer 10 concept has great scope for Stockport’s enterprising business community.

He said: “It is the perfect platform for people who have all the drive and ambition required, but are looking for an effective way to move their game-changing ideas forward.”

Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration at Stockport Council, added: “Stockport Business and Innovation Centre has already proved itself to be a very effective partner in supporting companies to grow – Pioneer 10 seeks to identify businesses that, with support, can make an impact in the local economy.

“This initiative is not just for young businesses facing the next steps, but also for established small businesses who want to support an innovation in a new direction.

“As such, it presents an exciting opportunity for any forward thinking small business or entrepreneur.”