MMU announces business growth fund

MANCHESTER Metropolitan University has announced a new fully funded business development programme, to give a growth boost to start-up companies and SMEs in Cheshire and Warrington.

The programme will support over 280 companies to grow over the next three years.

It programme focuses on strengthening local business communities and is based on peer-to-peer learning informed by expert advice.

The university said it is a format that has been proven to work well in previous programmes run by the Centre for Enterprise, affording small businesses and start-ups a crucial support network in what can be a challenging stage of their development.

The Manchester Met strand of the programme will be delivered from its campus in Crewe and is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the university.

This means that the expert advice and support is available at no financial cost to business owners.

Jennie Shorley, head of bids and partnerships in the Centre for Enterprise said: “We are delighted that we have been successful with this funding bid, which will enable us to develop a network of growing companies and entrepreneurs, who will support each other across Cheshire and Warrington, creating sustainable growth. We are now looking for ambitious businesses and potential entrepreneurs to work with.”