The Business Directory is just one of the new business support initiatives on offer from the business support team – who operate as the Growth Hub for the county – this Spring, along with two new programmes for West Oxfordshire-based organisations, and a whole host of webinars and workshops.
OxLEP Business are calling for Oxfordshire businesses to join their new online Business Directory and help facilitate a central hub for Growth Hub clients to share their wares and services – creating a recognised network of the county’s organisations.
With over 65 Oxfordshire names already taking up residence on the online platform, visitors can use the search tool to filter exactly what they are looking for.
Not only is the Business Directory a free promotional tool for organisations externally, the catalogue of local enterprise also offers the opportunity for business connections to be built as the community grows.
Sectors represented within the directory include some of Oxfordshire’s key industries, including hospitality, healthcare, technology, and the creative industries.
In order to submit their organisations to the Business Directory, businesses must have received support from OxLEP Business within the last 2 years – or must complete OxLEP Business’ quick business diagnostic ‘Business Support Tool’ – which can be found on their website.
Helen Brind – Growth Hub Manager for OxLEP – said: “Our new Business Directory is an opportunity for our clients and local businesses to showcase exactly what their business is about, to build new connections – and ultimately gain more business.
“We – as the Growth Hub for the county – are enormously proud of the businesses we’ve worked with, their achievements and what they can offer through their services to the county. To have a platform in place that harnesses this is hugely beneficial not only to our clients, but Oxfordshire as a whole.”
West Oxfordshire entrepreneurs and businesses are also set to benefit from two new business support programmes being delivered by OxLEP Business on behalf of West Oxfordshire District Council – the West Oxfordshire Business Spark programme and the West Oxfordshire Business Accelerator.
The project – funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – is set to support organisations to develop, commercialise ideas and bring them to market, as well as supporting already established businesses to grow further.
Although this programme is only available to West Oxfordshire-based organisations, OxLEP are keen to point out that businesses right across the county can continue to benefit from multiple areas of support provided by them.
OxLEP previously announced that between October 2016 and March last year, it had worked with over 6,200 businesses from across Oxfordshire, providing around 18,000 hours of support and advice, worth over £28.75 million.
One way in which OxLEP Business are continuing their countywide support, is through a whole host of featured events this Spring. Covering everything from social selling – to AI tools – to business storytelling, there really is something for all businesses and budding entrepreneurs available.
One series of invaluable fully-funded business guidance the county’s SMEs have access to through engaging with OxLEP Business, is the current series of ‘Investment Readiness’ workshops and support on offer – guiding the county’s businesses through what it takes to win investment and further their business growth ambitions.
Other support on offer from OxLEP Business this Spring includes 1:1 support, access to peer networks and tailored business support planning.
Helen Brind added: “We continue to offer a vast array of support to our business community at whatever stage they are at and our Business Support Tool – which takes a short time to complete, resulting in a bespoke Business Support Action Plan – remains the best way for organisations to make initial contact with us and we call on interested businesses to do this.”
If you are interested in joining OxLEP Business’ Business Directory, accessing any of the Growth Hub’s business support programmes or finding out exactly what the best course of business support available to you may be, go to the Business Support Tool.
