Search for Stockport’s New Business Pioneers

This week’s Stockport Express guest business writer is Stockport’s Economic Alliance chairman, Christian Mancier, who introduces Pioneer 10, a competition for innovative, new entrepreneurs.

Christian:

For the past two years I’ve been invited to assist with the judging of Stockport Business and Innovation Centre’s (SBIC) business ideas competition, known as SPARK.

This has been an enlightening experience, and I’m delighted to be involved once again this year in helping to identify Stockport’s most innovative and entrepreneurial young business through the renamed Pioneer 10 programme.

Pioneer 10 is designed to give people with great business ideas access to a free business award and growth coaching programme.  It is aimed at early stage businesses that are keen to grow, along with established businesses looking to innovate and/or enter new markets.

The programme is now open to applicants who, if successful will receive free support to develop their growth plan and explore opportunities for their business.

After an initial period of business growth workshops, a judging panel comprising local business experts will select ten of the pioneering businesses to receive further one to one coaching and guidance.

Towards the end of the programme, a Pioneer10 entrepreneur will then be selected at the final awards event for a longer term, high impact business support package – worth c £15,000 – leveraging the resources of Oxford Innovation, SBIC & the Pioneer 10 partners including Gorvins Solicitors, RBS, Clarke Nicklin Accountants, Tangent Design, Zoom media, Appleyard Lees, Souter PR , Novomodo and Stockport Council.

This is an exciting and worthwhile opportunity for business owners that are serious about taking their business to the next level and I would encourage those who want to be considered for the scheme to apply online today.