Business Development Northern MAX2 Programme Praised

Bradford Council’s innovative growth-boosting partnership project, Northern MAX2, has been hailed a success by local entrepreneurs.

The proven ‘Accelerator’ project supported 24 local businesses with specialist one-to-one mentoring and intensive workshops resulting in four new business start-ups and seven new jobs.

Mentors provided intensive advice on business growth including marketing, strategy and financial planning.

The workshops included concentrated sessions on building a better business, digital marketing, brand development and bids and tenders.

The workshops were run by Kyran Parker, David Andrews and Mark Copsey from Yorkshire-based business consultants, RedKite Innovations; Lizzie McCloy and Ben Taylor of KPMG representing North Invest, Vodafone, Amazon and Joanne Gilpin of BHP Accountants.

Following the support from RedKite and Bradford Council’s Digital Health Advisor, Rav Panesar, flagship digital marketing company, Agency for Good, won New Business of the Year at the Bradford Means Business Awards and was shortlisted for the Keighley Business Awards.

Northern MAX2 was open to Bradford tech companies and Leeds City Region companies which were under three years old with less than 250 employees.

It is the second ‘Accelerator’ to be run in Bradford and is part-funded by Bradford Council and the European Regional Development Fund as part of the business support Ad:Venture programme.

Sean Kempton, Director of Tisquantum Ltd, an AI specialist company, said: “The support received from RedKite Innovations has been superb. They have mentored and guided me through the whole process of business growth, even helping with my final pitch to key investors.”

Rich Sutcliffe, Director of Agency for Good Ltd, an ethical digital marketing agency, said: “The programme has enabled me to reach the next level of growth and social impact.

“Without the support of the Accelerator, I would not be where I am today - a winner of the New Business of the Year Awards at the Bradford Means Business Awards.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said:

“It has been a pleasure for us to manage and deliver this programme and I am pleased that businesses now have the tools to reach that next platform for growth. Bradford is thriving with young, entrepreneurial businesses and we are delighted to be part of their journey.

“Collaboration and partnership have also played a pivotal role with support from a range of partners, ranging from local accountants through to multi-national digital corporations.”