Lancashire growth-hungry businesses can continue to thrive despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.
This was the view of Lancashire County Council’s scaleup lead Amin Vepari following the success of a number of funded scaleup support initiatives led by the council over the past year.
A group of more than 20 companies in the county are reporting strong growth ambitions having completed the Two Zero Scale Up Recovery programme, led by Lancashire County Council, which ended in late 2020.
The initiative has also already led to the creation of more than 50 new jobs. Two Zero is Lancashire’s dedicated scaleup brand and has supported around 40 of Lancashire’s fastest growing firms through funded scaleup support programmes since it was launched in January 2020.
Two Zero is sponsoring the Scale Up Business of the Year category at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, The BIBAs, which is open for applications.
Amin Vepari, programme manager, Two Zero said: “It’s been a hugely challenging past year for the majority of businesses, but many fast-growing firms across Lancashire see growth opportunities and are keen to maximise these.
“We’ve supported around 40 scaleup businesses to create jobs, increase turnover and develop new products and markets through our programmes so far and will be looking to continue to support Lancashire’s scaleup community during 2021 and beyond.
“We’re currently putting the final touches to a new scaleup programme which will help connect the county’s fast-growing food and drink businesses with major retailers. More details will be released in the coming weeks.”
The Scaleup Business of the Year category is one of 19 prizes up for grabs at The BIBAs, which recently announced it will be sharing a £36,000 prize fund among its winners this year.
The awards have also revealed that the winners of its 2019 prizes will receive a ‘golden ticket’ through to this year’s interview round.
All the winners need to do to secure their place in front of its judges is complete an application form for this year’s awards.
In 2019, its winners included Preston-based kitchen specialist Roccia which picked up the Business of the Year, Construction Business of the Year Anderton Gables and Growth Business of the Year, Hoofcount.