Growth Hub for Oxfordshire
As the Growth Hub for Oxfordshire, it is our aim to simplify the business support landscape and help individuals and businesses to easily connect.
We're here to help businesses find the support they need. We offer prompt, friendly, impartial advice and will signpost you to the right business support for you and your business by directing you to expert advice and national and local support programmes.
Coronavirus has created an unprecedented situation and will cause concern and disruption to businesses of all sizes for the foreseeable future. Clearly, moving into a further period of lockdown will be extremely difficult for all businesses and the ability to not only remain productive, but also, remain operational will be a significant challenge.
We will continue to signpost our business community to support resources, helping you to make positive decisions during this time. We have introduced a number of new programmes and funds in recent times, aimed at providing critical help to businesses.
Here's a summary of some of the support we can offer businesses through the Growth Hub:
Visitor Economy Grant Scheme
As a sector significantly affected by Covid-19, OxLEP Business is providing a concerted level of support to the visitor economy, helping to kick-start this vital industry post-pandemic, as well as maintaining and retaining consumer confidence.
Through this programme, OxLEP – with the support of industry partners – aims to help ‘reattract’ visitors, supporting an increase in footfall, engagement and resilience across key visitor economy destinations and experiences in Oxfordshire.
The programme will also be supported by the visitor economy grant scheme, delivered by OxLEP Business, which will provide funds to eligible businesses, with grants ranging from £5,000 to £24,999 per business.
Find out more on the OxLEP Business Visitor Economy Grant Scheme
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme
As part of the programme, OxLEP Skills and OxLEP Business have teamed-up to deliver the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme.
It is anticipated that the majority of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grants will be in the range of £1,000 to £1,500, however under certain circumstances grants of up to £3,000 are available.
Find out more on the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme
OxLEP'S Start Up Club
The OxLEP Start-Up Club is to support individuals who are thinking of starting their own business, or businesses who are looking for some help with pivoting their plans in light of the pandemic.
Run by OxLEP's Business Advisors, we will provide webinars and content designed to support Oxfordshire businesses that are pre-start, starting-up or are in their early stages in order to help them thrive and succeed. From joining these short webinars you may also be able to receive one-to-one support on how to be resilient and sustain your business during uncertain times.
You will also meet like minded peers to share your challenges and successes with.
Mentoring, coaching and advice
With over 20 experienced advisors to choose from, you can access mentoring, coaching or business advice, to explore overcoming business challenges and developing your organisation in the following areas:
- Business planning and resilience
- Customer demand / sales and marketing
- Finance and cash-flow
- Your organisation and processes
OxLEP Business are inviting ambitious and passionate start-up and growth businesses to join the Foundations to Growth Network. Participating will help you gain new perspectives, inspire new ideas and change your way of thinking. It can also help you form new contacts, build networks and gain valuable professional and personal support.
