EU-funded business support service launches for Sheffield City Region

James Newman, who helped win European Union funding support for the new Launchpad support service.

A free and comprehensive support service has been launched to help ambitious entrepreneurs in Bassetlaw set up and run a new business.

Sheffield City Region Launchpad is an all-inclusive programme of start-up support which aims to help create hundreds of new businesses across the region over the next three years.

The £4million project is being delivered through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, which itself was launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month, and involves a consortium of local authorities and the Prince’s Trust.

Programme manager Anna Smith said: “Launchpad has been set up to ensure that wherever entrepreneurs are based in our region—whether in the city of Sheffield, in our growing towns or in rural communities—everyone has equal access to the best quality business development support.

“Contact Launchpad and a business advisor will talk through your business aims, discuss your needs and signpost you to the most appropriate support.”

The initiative is backed by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and has attracted £2,359,613 investment from the European Regional Development Fund.

James Newman, chairman of the region’s European Structural Investment funding committee said: “Through unprecedented collaboration between local authorities and the business community we have co-ordinated all efforts to identify and support pre-start and early stage businesses with growth potential.

“Our ultimate aim is to increase economic growth and create jobs through the development of new businesses.

“This is exactly the type of programme European funding should be supporting.”