Ten innovative Stockport businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s Pioneer 10 award.
Led by Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC), Pioneer 10 is aimed at supporting early stage businesses who are keen to grow along with established businesses looking to innovate and/or enter new markets.
During 2018, the programme invited applications from aspirational businesses with innovative ideas. The ten shortlisted businesses will now have the potential, following a period of intensive support, to win a year’s package of further support worth up to £15,000 provided by Tangent Design, Gorvins Solicitors, Clarke Nicklin, Appleyard Lees, Nat West, Souter PR, Oxford Innovation and Stockport Council.
The successful shortlisted companies are:
- C & T Technology Ltd
- Sisu Psychology Limited
- CallMeHelp
- Wattl
- Savethehighstreet.net (Your Money Sir Ltd)
- Michael Darbyshire
- Materialistic
- Tree Frog Digital Limited
- shoplocalclubcard.com
- Heard
The final award ceremony will take place at SBIC on 15th November 2018, at which the shortlisted businesses will be invited to pitch their business plans to a panel of judges who will identify the winning business.
This year’s winner and runner up will receive:
- Up to £15,000 in business support packages
- Advice from and connection with business leaders
- Access to workshops on growth and innovation
- Tools, growth planning services and training
The top 10 businesses will also receive one-to-one business coaching.
The Pioneer 10 programme is part of SBIC’s continued commitment to support entrepreneurs. SBIC provides flexible office space specifically aimed at nurturing fledgling businesses and offers on site mentoring and support to help start-ups and young businesses develop and deliver a robust business plan. The facility is managed by Oxford Innovation and owned by Stockport Council.
Councillor Kate Butler, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “A massive well done to all of the shortlisted businesses – being nominated in itself is a great achievement! We’re looking forward to working with the businesses and providing them with the support they need to develop and grow.”
Chair of Judges, Sue Souter from Souter PR commented: “Again the Pioneer 10 shortlist of entries for 2018 has not disappointed. It’s a really interesting and varied mix of new business products and services and we look forward to meeting the people behind them. One thing is clear. There is a vibrant pipeline of entrepreneurs looking to develop their commercial visions in Stockport which is great news for everyone concerned.”
