Wirral entrepreneurs launch £50k Dragons' Den-style initiative for startups

A Dragons’ Den-style initiative aimed at helping fledgling firms get off the ground has launched on the Wirral.

Nik Ellis and Justine McLaughlin, the minds behind the Wirral Wolves scheme, are offering North West startups and micro firms the chance to pitch their ideas for a slice of a £50k investment pot and access to decades of business expertise.

The duo are directors of Whitfield Business Support, an SME incubator service based in Heswall.

Justine said: “The North West is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity and we want to help the brightest prospects enjoy the best chance of success by providing critical support, especially in the early stages.

“Through Wirral Wolves we’re hoping to invest in a wide range of exciting start-ups and micro firms, using our know-how and financial backing to help them become thriving businesses.”

She added: “We are particularly keen to hear from firms operating on the Wirral, Cheshire and North Wales regions.”

In addition to funding, startups will be able to secure business support services covering accounts, IT, recruiting and marketing services.

Justine continued: “Crucially we can also provide guidance, advice and mentoring support through a network of senior managers and business owners who operate within the Whitfield Business Hub.

“This includes director-level personnel currently running multi-million turnover businesses.”

Nik, who is also the founder and MD of £5m-turnover witness services firm Laird Assessors, said Wirral Wolves represents a unique opportunity for startups in all sectors.

He commented: “[The initiative] is made up of entrepreneurs who have a common understanding of what is required to be successful in business. Sound judgment, resilience and the ability to capitalise on opportunities are important assets for any business owner. However, these skills are often honed over time, through many mistakes. We are offering fast track support to help fellow entrepreneurs navigate their own business journey with greater certainty.

“We are hugely passionate about business and find real joy in seeing other regional businesses succeed, especially startups, micro businesses and SMEs.”

He added: “The Wirral Wolves platform provides an opportunity for us to invest greater time and energy into the local business community and share our broad knowledge and expertise for mutual benefit.”