Ten innovative Stockport businesses have been shortlisted for the Pioneer 10 award led by Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC).
Pioneer 10 Stockport is a business support programme providing opportunities and training aimed at entrepreneurial early stage businesses.
During 2016, the programme invited applications from aspirational small businesses with great business ideas. The ten shortlisted businesses will now have the potential, following a period of intensive support, to win a year’s package of further support worth up to £15,000.
The successful shortlisted companies are:
• Film My Match
• Nest Funding
• LiCa Scientific
• Limon Attire
• Esteem – No Pause
• Unified VU
• Math Tutor Help
• Khalidoscope Services Ltd t/a Your UK Pharmacy
• Mini Sparks
• Parents2u
Tony Corcoran, Incubation Director at SBIC, said: “This year’s Pioneer 10 shortlist is remarkable and represents a diverse mix of businesses – well done to everyone who participated. They will now receive coaching and valuable business growth support whilst the final Pioneer 10 award gives the winning company the platform to take their game-changing ideas into the future.”
The final award ceremony will take place at SBIC in May, at which the shortlisted businesses will be invited to pitch their business plans to a panel of judges who will identify the winning business.
They will go on to receive a high impact package of further business support, worth up to £15,000, incorporating the combined resources of Oxford Innovation, SBIC & Pioneer 10 partners – Gorvins; Clark Nicklin; Tangent Design; Souter PR; Zoom Media; Appleyard Lees; GM Business Growth Hub; Manchester Business Radio & RBS.
The Pioneer 10 programme is part of SBIC’s continued commitment to support entrepreneurs. SBIC provides flexible office space specifically aimed at nurturing fledgling businesses and offers on site 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.
Councillor Kate Butler, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Congratulations to all firms who have been shortlisted for the Pioneer 10 award. Being shortlisted is a real achievement and they should be very proud of themselves. Stockport Council and partners are always seeking to identify businesses that might need support and who can help our local economy thrive.”