It’s an organisation that has supported more than 1,500 businesses over the last three years or so.

By Damian Holmes

Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis, AD:VENTURE is determined to continue helping and supporting start-up and scale-up business.

It is currently in the process of launching its Northern Max 3 support programme, which is aimed at digital and technology firms in the Bradford district.

That scheme is part of the ongoing offerings of AD:VENTURE which have seen it provide more than a million pounds in grant funding since its launch. 

Since starting at the end of 2016, AD:VENTURE has helped more than 3,000 businesses and individuals in the Leeds City Region, and approved 156 grants to help start-up businesses to grow, including support for purchasing vital equipment and moving to suitable premises.  It has provided over £1.3m of funding to start-up firms and helped create 391 jobs. 

Aimed at technology-oriented firms less than three years old, the Northern Max programme offers a package of support to companies that sign up for it, including mentoring, workshops and masterclasses.

The programme is scheduled to start on April 23. The ongoing coronavirus crisis has meant the original offering has had to be modified, but it will be going ahead remotely, using virtual links to connect with businesses.

The aim of Northern Max is to enable companies in the digital sector to grow and develop the reputation of Bradford and the Leeds City Region as a hub for the technology community.

Entheos Media Group took part in the programme last year and has since been able to expand its client base. Creative director Ryan Murphy said: “The programme was enormously helpful for taking our own expertise in our given field and giving us the tools necessary for transforming our skills into a functional and growing business.

“Since our time at Northern Max, we’ve got funding, grants and have gained a bigger client base than we ever would have without it.

“The workshops and talks were exceptionally helpful at giving us the insight and outside-the-box thinking that allowed us to see our business in a whole new light, and allowed us reshape our business model so that we could grow exponentially.”

Northern Max 3 will be delivered by Greenborough Business Management’s 10×10 accelerator programme in partnership with Bradford Council and AD:VENTURE, a business support programme for new businesses in North and West Yorkshire funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Michelle Davis, part of the 10×10 team at Greenborough, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the delivery partner for Northern Max 3. 10×10 is passionate about helping firms to grow through our bespoke business accelerator programme and wrap-around support. Our team are looking forward to delivering the programme and making a difference to businesses from Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region.”

Around 40 companies have received Northern Max support since the programme started in 2018.

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “As part of our aim to be the UK’s fastest growing economy in the next decade, we are committed to supporting our businesses with programmes like Northern Max, which will make a difference to the economic prosperity of the region.

“I am delighted to see exciting young companies and entrepreneurs being given access to business support like this.

“Programmes like Northern Max which are delivered by industry specialists give businesses the crucial support network they need to grow, and that ultimately benefits Bradford and the wider region.”

Since its launch towards the end of 2016 with funds from the European Regional Development Fund, AD:VENTURE has actively worked with more than 1,513 businesses and 1,019 individuals.

It has engaged with 710 young people to explore enterprise or self-employment and delivered a schedule of more than 200 events, resulting in 287 additional jobs.

And 96 organisations have received match-funded grants since the programme launched in late 2016, with 125 approved projects representing a total combined worth of £2.3m, securing £665,849 from the AD:VENTURE programme.

For one Bradford company, the help it has given has been invaluable.

Power Sheds, based on Euroway Trading Estate, was set up in April by entrepreneurs Jack Sutcliffe and Simon Hodson. In the first month they manufactured 15 sheds but are now producing up to 400 per month and still growing.

The pair are aiming to triple the size of the company within the next year or so, including recruiting more staff.

Power Sheds has already started to develop partnerships with garden centres who are now selling their sheds around the UK.

And it has been able to speed up its manufacturing process considerably thanks to help from AD:VENTURE in the form of a £6,000 grant to produce a new automated saw to cut timber to the correct length.

“Having the new saw has streamlined the cutting process which has freed up people to do other things,” Jack added. “It’s made a massive difference to the way we operate because we are no longer restricted by our capacity.

“From a sales perspective we don’t expect it to be difficult to reach our target of tripling in size. It’s just being able to meet the demand which we have struggled with, so the new equipment is helping us in that respect.”

Steve Hartley, Strategic Director for Bradford Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see a local company identifying a gap in the market and enjoying huge growth as a result of that.

“Bradford Council is delighted to be a partner in the AD:VENTURE programme. We understand the importance of supporting the growth of start-ups and Power Sheds is a great example of how valuable that support can be for our local businesses.”

Roger Marsh, OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and NP11, said: “The success of the AD:VENTURE programme really does tell its own story. The business community throughout the Leeds City Region is vibrant, diverse and growing. Having ongoing access to the support, advice and guidance from experts, as well as funding provision, can only enhance this further.

“Knowing that start-ups and young organisations are attending workshops and accessing the bespoke help that they need is reassuring. It shows that we have in place the provision we need to nurture entrepreneurship across our region and to become an example of best practice for others.”

Working with partners across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York, the extension means the AD:VENTURE programme will continue to deliver the same model of support across each town and city.

For more information on AD:VENTURE and to find out if there is still any opportunity to join the Northern Max programme this time around, go to https://ad-venture.org.uk/