‘Cost-effective way to build and implement a strategy’
Tech companies across the South West of England are being given the chance to work with top growth coaches and experts as part of Tech South West’s new business support programme.
Growth Forge will allow tech firms to identify areas in their business which they could strengthen with the assistance of business coaches.
The programme is partnered with a number of companies, such as: Microsoft, Sandler, Bishop Fleming, Ashfords, Howden and Program.
The ‘supergroup’ of growth coaches includes business TedX speaker and author Ruth Farenga, business acceleration consultant Andy Clarke, tech CTO Matt Jones and the international ‘pitch’ guru, Martin Barnes.
It will see participating companies gain from the knowledge and experience of Alicia Grimes who is a company culture expert and co-founder of The Future Kind.
Companies which successfully apply to the programme will be able to work with Microsoft on various product developments which will include the usage of AI. It’s also expected that businesses can plug into the region’s investment funds and angel investor groups.
A quarter of the places on the Growth Forge scheme are ring-fenced for ‘positive impact firms’ which include industries centred in climate and sustainability alongside companies focused on health and wellbeing.
‘Covering every aspect of what a successful growth business requires’
‘Most tech companies don’t have a team of highly experienced non-executive directors, including former tech CEOs, entrepreneurs and active investors covering every aspect of what a successful growth business requires,’ says Dan Pritchard, founder of Tech South West.
‘That’s where Growth Forge comes in; a cost-effective way to build and implement a strategy based on your company’s needs today, by plugging tech leaders directly into a curated team of standout experts who have the relevant expertise combined with a can-do attitude, supreme tech knowledge and essential contacts.’
Areas of expertise being focused on include: strategy, market awareness, innovation, technology, commercialisation, leadership development, team building, funding, finance, risk, IP, sales, marketing and branding.
‘It was an invaluable part of Kelpi’s journey,’ says Neil Morris, chief executive of Bristol-based Kelpi which was part of Tech South’s 2023 programme ScaleUp Studio.
‘We landed key new clients, nearly doubled the size of the team and made huge progress with our materials technology. Working within the Tech South West ecosystem has been a key part of our ability to grow sustainably.’
Other tech firms involved last year included Digilab, Small Robot Company, Arc Marine, FerryX and xigxag.
‘Identifying areas where support is needed’
‘Successful applicants will complete an initial online Growth Assessment, developed by Tech South West, to identify areas where support is needed,’ explains Ben Cooper, Director of Tech South West and Funding and Support Lead.
‘We will use that data to match the cohort with relevant experts, ahead of the first of three Growth Days. We can monitor progress and respond to that, as each navigates the programme.’
Growth Forge features three immersive Growth Days. These are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 March along with two separate days in June and October. There are also scheduled to be mentoring and peer groups to assist with development.
Other growth coach specialists who will be supporting tech companies include James Cater, tech CEO, advisor and mentor who specialises in businesses which provide ‘software as a service.’ James will be joined by Lucy Paine, Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Bath and Anthony Story, Director of Growth Leaders.
Organisers say that Growth Forge will be assisting tech companies which are in their early stages of development through to larger and established organisations. The scheme will cover Bath, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
Growth Forge runs alongside a number of projects delivered by Tech South West including regular meetups, Tech South West Awards, AI South West networking group, the Angel Investor Programme, the Access to Finance Platform, the Regional Leadership Forum and the South West Tech Daily news platform.
Bursaries for positive impact tech and early stage companies are available. These are expected to cover between 50 and 100 percent of the programme fee.
