Up and coming or potential new businesses in Calderdale will soon be able to take part in an exciting new initiative offering free, expert support.
The new Digital Shift programme will provide hands-on practical support, unmissable opportunities to access grant funding, workshops and expert mentoring for entrepreneurs in Calderdale.
Free for eligible businesses to access, the Digital Shift programme is delivered in partnership with Calderdale Council, Leeds Beckett University and AD:VENTURE, the ERDF funded programme that provides support for start-ups and young organisations across the Leeds City Region.
Ambitions for partners are that Digital Shift will create a legacy of success for the creative and digital sectors.
Accessed through the Halifax University Business Centre at Piece Mill, the programme will grow these key sectors in Calderdale and aims to work with digital-based businesses to create jobs and increase profitability.
It will also establish Calderdale as a location of choice for start-ups in digital and creative industries, increasing collaboration between local businesses, boosting digital and innovative capabilities, embedding a legacy of success while engaging and retaining young talent in the borough.
Calderdale is already a thriving area, partly thanks to its location between Leeds and Manchester and within an hour’s travel of a quarter of a million businesses. Being in easy reach of eight million people with a combined economic worth of around £150m, it’s no surprise that Calderdale is becoming the place of choice to start and grow digital innovative companies.
Simon Baldwin, Head of Enterprise & Operations from Leeds Beckett University comments:
“There is clear evidence that shows that the presence and influence of a university in an area helps to raise levels of aspiration and attainment, as well as supporting the retention of skilled graduates.
“We are excited to be a part of such an excellent programme which is free for eligible businesses to access, extending Leeds Beckett University’s geography and spreading commercial expertise and innovative practices into new and unexplored areas.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, Cllr Barry Collins, adds:
“The Digital Shift programme offers a great opportunity for new or potential businesses in Calderdale; with the help and advice on offer helping them develop from start-up to the next stage.
“Calderdale’s talent and creativity have led to record levels of investment and start-ups, which play a vital role in boosting our local economy and making the borough a great place to live, work and visit. It’s hoped that through this initiative we can build on this enterprising spirit and create new jobs and businesses that will have a positive impact in and around Calderdale.”
The programme will provide access to information to identify growth opportunities and set action plans, access to grants of up to £25,000, one-to-one mentoring and specialist events, including a monthly digital breakfast at the University Business Centre.
The programme will focus on sales, marketing, internet search engine optimisation, exporting, product development, innovation, identifying minimum viable product, branding, networking and business planning.
Further to this, a Digital Shift Summit is planned for September and will be a three-day festival of activity including specialist events and access to expert seminars and speakers.
