Growth Readiness

The Programme

Purpose

Provide access to high quality multi-disciplinary business support, mentoring, coaching and technical expertise to support in the development of a detailed two-year growth plan.

Outcomes

Growth plan complete and ready to implement.
Periodic reporting of progress towards complete growth plan and monitoring of its implementation over a 2 year period.

Application Window

March 2021 – December 2022

Job Creation

Yes – minimum of 2 new jobs to be created as part of the 2 year growth plan.

Funding

Projects Cost

Bespoke business support worth up to £20k.

Funding Requests

Fully funded support provided via subsidised advisory services.

Match Funding

Nil

Eligibility

Target Companies

Early stage company seeking to validate its product, target market and organisational development.

Has an ambition to grow by at least 20% per annum, increase staff and revenue significantly over the next 24 months.

Timescales

Complete and signoff growth plan within timescale set by Ascend (but typically expecting to be 3-6 months), followed by 2 year monitoring period.

Location

Derby City location or within a 7.5 mile radius of Derby City and will commit to create jobs for Derby City citizens, graduates and/ or students.

Company Structure

Ltd, Social Enterprise, Partnership.

Application Process

Application

To include detailed company background, management and business case

 

 

Initial Selection

Application is reviewed and recommended for support for the Preliminary Support

 

 

Preliminary Support

Delivered by generalist Ascend Advisor, similar to type of due diligence, will include high level business plan assessment and growth/ investment potential and ambitions, prepared for Selection Panel

Selection Panel

Preliminary support document and presentation from the company to the Selection Panel – yes/no decision to proceed to full readiness programme

 

If you would like to contact us to discuss the scheme further please contact us here.

Ascend has three programmes for businesses to apply for:

Ascend Growth
Readiness

Provide access to high quality multi-disciplinary business support, mentoring, coaching and technical expertise to support in the development of a detailed two-year growth plan.

Ascend Investment
Readiness

As per growth readiness, but with a focus on developing an investment case, in the form of an Investment Memorandum, which can then be used to begin meaningful discussions with potential equity investors.

Ascend Scale-Up
Growth Projects

A loan scheme designed to assist in supporting the physical business growth in the form of capital investment in Derby with the ultimate aim to create sustainable new jobs. This fund enables businesses to invest in projects that would not otherwise happen.