NEW START // ISSUE 6 // 09 NEWS

BUSINESS DOCTOR ON HAND TO HELP SMES

IN BRIEF

FUNDING BOOST FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES

A new fund, aimed at encouraging innovative businesses ideas in the tourism sector, was launched last month.

Scottish Enterprise's Tourism Innovation Fund will provide match funding of up to £30,000 and advice to help companies develop new products, services and processes.

LIZ METIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT AT GO GROUP

SCOTLAND’S SMES ARE BEING OFFERED A FREE BUSINESS MEDICAL, WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW ‘BUSINESS DOCTOR’ SUPPORT PROGRAMME.

Launched by the GO Group, the new initiative is aimed at helping those firms who are struggling to survive the credit crunch.

The new range of training and advisory services will focus on nurturing business start-ups, supporting business growth and encouraging innovation during the next financial year.

Liz Metin, deputy director of learning and development at GO Group, said: ‘90% of applications for equity funding in Scotland fail to achieve their objective every year, proving that it’s tough, and getting tougher, to secure the cash to drive business growth.

‘It is therefore vital, now more than ever, for companies to become forward thinking and prepare thoroughly for what lies ahead. Go Group has designed a programme of support that looks closely at the reality facing Scottish businesses. Our aim is to prepare business owners with tailored advice, to help them through these difficult economic times so they will grow and flourish when they make it through to the other side.’

To find out more, visit New Start Scotland where GO Group advisers will be on hand to help.

‘GO GROUP HAS DESIGNED A PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT THAT LOOKS CLOSELY AT THE REALITY FACING SCOTTISH BUSINESSES. OUR AIM IS TO PREPARE BUSINESS OWNERS WITH TAILORED ADVICE, TO HELP THEM THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES.’

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS

A state of the art centre that aims to boost research and innovation in Scotland's energy sector is soon to be available on the Aberdeen Science and Energy Park.

The Energy Development Centre provides high-quality workshop and laboratory space for growth companies in all areas of the sector.

The £4.4 million project has been developed by Scottish Enterprise in response to demand within the industry. It houses 12 individual, high- quality business units that are designed for growing

companies engaged in research, design or development.