Business fund helps local firms export globally

A York and North Yorkshire business programme is helping firms reach international markets.

A new series of free roadshows will visit six locations across the region in October, including Tadcaster, Harrogate, Scarborough, Helmsley, York, Catterick and Skipton, offering practical advice from experts and local exporters. 

The initiative is part of the Business Innovation Fund, which provides grants of £3000 to £10,000 to help companies start exporting or expand overseas sales, with the next round open for applications in November.

Jennifer Wood, of Ripon-based O&3 Limited and chair of the business board, said: “As the co-founder of a business that exports across the world, I know there are challenges to exporting but I also know that it is worth the effort.

“York and North Yorkshire is full of businesses with the right products, talent and ambition to export across the world.

“This is a big area of growth for our region, so I am proud that we are bringing the experts and the financial support together for our fantastic businesses.”

Previous rounds of the fund have helped local businesses access international expos and other projects, generating more than £15 million in sales. 

Support has benefited firms across multiple sectors, including The Potions Cauldron, a York-based soft drinks business. 

Phil Pinder, co-founder of the Potions Cauldron, added: “When you start exporting into a new market, you have to invest your time and money but if you get it right it’s more than worth it.

“During our first year of exporting we sold more than 20,000 drinks but this year we have the potential to export more than one million drinks.

“It’s not just the bigger businesses, some of the smaller, niche brands are just as loved abroad as they are here. 

“With so many ways to find customers across the world through the internet, we have never been in a better time to start exporting than now.”

The programme forms one of several Mayoral Challenge Funds launched this year, aiming to boost business growth, innovation and sustainability across the region. 

For more information and to access the programme’s prospectus, see here.

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