Growth Platform

📣 Northern preseed founders: #PraeSeed deadline has been extended! 🗣️ We’ve had an overwhelming number of requests for a deadline extension. So, we’ve decided to extend the PraeSeed application to 12pm on 28th April. This will be a hard close and you will not be able to apply after this. 📆 The other programme dates will remain unchanged and successful applicants will still be told in mid May so we can start the programme on the 9th June. 👀As a reminder, PraeSeed is a cohort investment programme looking for the best preseed businesses in the North. Up to 7 investments of £200k are available from NPIFII, alongside expert start-up support through the 6-week programme. 👉 You can apply here: https://lnkd.in/eUXhTRcw #NextInTheNorth #Preseed #NPIFII #Founders British Business Bank British Business Bank North of England Praetura Ventures

#EVENT: We are delighted to announce Prof Deborah Leary OBE D.Univ,FRSA as a speak at our Liverpool City Region Business Support Showcase taking place on 1 May at FACT Liverpool. Professor Deborah Leary is CEO and Founder of Forensic Pathways Ltd a leading provider of comprehensive investigative solutions and technologies. With a track record dating back to 2001, the company has consistently pioneered innovation in the field of forensics and threat intelligence. A journey that started with Liverpool. Specialising in background investigation services, due diligence consulting, threat intelligence solutions, and forensic technologies, the Company excels in uncovering critical information that enables its clients to make informed risk/reputation, legal and business decisions. The Company is now a lead in risk and reputation management through its provision of threat intelligence technology and consultancy, in particular dark web/ransomware/social media monitoring. Deborah recently took on the role of National Scale Up Director for Innovate UK Growth and is also the Honorary Consul to Mexico. She holds several board and advisory positions, including: • Export Champion on behalf of the UK Government’s Dept for Business and Trade • Executive Board of the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce • West Midlands Innovation Board Member • Visiting Professor, Aston University Business School • Advisory Board – Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics • Advisory Board – Birmingham City University, Business School From 2021 – 2023 Deborah was appointed President of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, only the 3rd woman since 1813. Throughout the past 24 years Deborah has won numerous awards for innovation and business including British Female Inventor of the Year, European Woman of Achievement, FCEM International Woman of the Year, Honorary Doctor of Birmingham City University, in addition to being presented with an OBE for Entrepreneurship and the Community. Always up for a new challenge, Deborah has trekked to Everest Base Camp, performed standup comedy, started helicopter pilot lessons, and even danced with Giovanni Pernice on a regular basis. Hear more about her business growth journey by registering for free here https://lnkd.in/e3FwtDCq Halton Borough Council | Knowsley Council | Invest Knowsley | Liverpool City Council | Business Support Service in Liverpool | Sefton Council | investsefton | St Helens Council | St Helens Business Support Service | Wirral Council | Edge Hill University | SME Productivity & Innovation Centre | University of Liverpool | Liverpool John Moores University | Horizons | Kindred LCR | Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory | Ngunan Adamu |

FSB Bootcamp: AI for your Business...... Sponsored by Microsoft and the UK Trade Remedies Authority 🔗Book your place here: https://lnkd.in/eQR8KUMd 📆 Thursday, 1 May, 8am-4pm, 🗺️ Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens Your guide for the day will be the one and only Gary Johnson owner of Front Guy Gary and a well-known voice on Cheshire’s The Cat radio station. Session One: Introduction to AI led by James Crawford - AI/Strategy/Programme Lead - from Touchpoint Change. Session Two: Accelerating Growth with AI-First Strategies, led by experts from our main sponsor, Microsoft. Session Three: AI Unlocked: Simplifying Social Media Success led by Suzie Webb and Oyvind H. - from Aida Social. Session Four: Boosting Productivity with AI and Workflows, led by Liz Hardwick CSP - from The Productivity Club. Session Five: Getting Started with AI in Your Business – also delivered by our friends from Microsoft and one of their partners, who together will deliver a hands-on session guiding you through the initial steps of your AI journey. 🔗Book your place here: https://lnkd.in/eQR8KUMd Ian Dunkerley Ava Saunders Kath O'Dwyer Sean Traynor Andrew Kilmurray Mark Bingley Dave Hutchinson Jodie Cunningham Vicki Hardcastle Tanya Wilcock (nee Gallagher) Lisa Harrison Rachael Buckley Sue Waller Gary Maddock Chris Cahill/CEXEC/STHMBC Cath Fogarty Paula Haigh Janice Mears Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Growth Platform The Growth Company Darren Gallimore Kevin Hall Gardner Paterson Emma Smailes MIED Karen Durcan MIED Robert Downes - FSB Manchester Katy Smythe Ian Traynor MBA CDir Gary Millar FJMU Prof. Maggie O' Carroll Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) FSB Insurance Service

Get the know how to boost your business' growth with the Department for Business and Trade's UK Export Academy "Fuel your business growth" series. This webinar series is perfect for any business that wants to grow - from start-ups through to established companies that want to take a strategic approach to their expansion. Upcoming events: Fuel your business growth: by converting followers into customers 23 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:00 Learn how to actively convert Social Media followers into loyal, paying customers! Register here https://lnkd.in/eDA5fbn5 Fuel your business growth: with ChatGPT and Smart Technology 24 April 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 Learn how AI powered tools and smart technology can be a real help when you are considering growing your business. Register here https://lnkd.in/es-DkBjm Fuel your business growth: through believing in the power of your brand 25 April 2025, 11:00 - 12:00 Hear how Menthol lozenge brand Jakemans have scaled their brand up to be the UK's number 1 menthol lozenge inside 16 years. Register here https://lnkd.in/eDGK57n9

Preseed business? Based in the north of England? In an exciting high-growth sector with an MVP? Fab opportunity right here: 🚨PraeSeed Applications Close 16th April 🚨   🤩 Why apply? -A 6-week programme covering 14 scaling topics and talks 10+ sector experts -A £200k investment for up to 7 businesses at the end of the programme -Present to the Praetura Coinvestment Network at an invite-only event in September -A route to follow-on funding from NPIFII and other Praetura funds -Praetura post-investment More Than Money support -Join 11 other founders in the same boat   🤔 Who’s it for? -Preseed businesses (revenue less than £250k pa) -Based in the North of England -Strong management teams with a great pitch looking for growth funding   🤝 How to apply? -Go to our PraeSeed page - https://lnkd.in/eiCXD5wt -Understand the PraeSeed Instrument and investment terms -Download the PraeSeed Application and upload it to your submission form.   🙋♀️ Got any questions? -Join the webinar on the 11th April - https://lnkd.in/eSr3uVJB -Check out Jessica Jackson's Q&A video at the bottom of the page - https://lnkd.in/ecE4HQbx -Speak to one of the team.   #NextInTheNorth #Preseed #NPIFII #Founders Growth Platform / Liverpool Science Park / Sci-Tech Daresbury / Baltic Creative CIC / Baltic Triangle Area CIC / Gather LCR / LYVA Labs / Baltic Ventures

We're proud to support Tech Climbers showcasing scalable, innovative, product-led technology businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Find out which businesses have made this year’s Tech Climbers list at the reveal event taking place Wednesday 30 April at One Fine Day, the event is a great way to show your support for the community while finding out about the latest innovations emerging from the city region’s tech sector. Throughout the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to network with founders and community advisors, expand your connections and hear about the opportunities and challenges ahead of the sector. Get your tickets here https://lnkd.in/ehw7FAr2

📅Our Incubator Launch Webinar is Almost Here! Time is running out to register for our Incubator Webinar on April 17th, 1:30-2:30 PM! This is your chance to hear directly from the team and get answers to your questions about: • What the LYVA Labs Incubator is all about • The key benefits and structure of the programme • Our investment model and how we support founders • The next steps to apply for the Incubator • A live Q&A session to answer all your questions With just three weeks left until the application deadline on May 1st at 12 PM, now is the time to get the insights you need to apply with confidence! 🔗 Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/dDFfDBDH Joe Cooke | Natalie Niven | Daniel Walker | Ivo Kerkhof | Lorna Green | Akshay Bhatnagar | Harry Chrimes | Rachel Lawless #LiverpoolCityRegion #Incubator #LCRInnovation #Funding #Investment

🚨PraeSeed Applications Close 16th April!🚨   🤩 Why apply? -A 6-week programme covering 14 scaling topics and talks  10+ sector experts -A £200k investment for up to 7 businesses at the end of the programme -Present to the Praetura Coinvestment Network at an invite-only event in September -A route to follow-on funding from NPIFII and other Praetura funds -Praetura post-investment More Than Money support -Join 11 other founders in the same boat   🤔 Who’s it for? -Preseed businesses (revenue less than £250k pa) -Based in the North of England -Strong management teams with a great pitch looking for growth funding   🤝 How to apply? -Go to our PraeSeed page - https://lnkd.in/e8h3-FPV -Understand the PraeSeed Instrument and investment terms -Download the PraeSeed Application and upload it to your submission form.   🙋♀️ Got any questions? -Join our webinar on the 11th April - https://lnkd.in/dYVF8jdF -Check out Jess’ Q&A video at the bottom of the page - https://lnkd.in/eeQVPmdt 🙌🏻Or speak to one of the team.   #NextInTheNorth #Preseed #NPIFII #Founders

A special event with a twist will be held today aimed at connecting Black and diverse-led businesses in the #LiverpoolCityRegion with investors. The 'Reverse Pitch Day' will flip the traditional dynamic and see social investors, angels, venture capitalists, and mainstream funders pitching to entrepreneurs - rather than the other way round. Investors will showcase the support they can offer businesses led by diverse founders ranging from social enterprises to high-growth startups, and they will explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities. Hosted by BlaST Network LCR (Black-led Social Traders Network) and co-sponsored by the LCR Race Equality Hub, the event at The Spine in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) will feature local investors Kindred LCR, Livv Investment, LYVA Labs, Baltic Ventures, Citizen First LCR and national investors such as NatWest Social & Community Capital, KeyFund, Growth Company and Praetura Ventures. Research shows Black and multi-ethnic communities make up 14% of the UK population – yet all-ethnic teams received an average 1.7% of venture capital investment between 2009 and 2019. Black-led organisations received the smallest share - with 0.24% of the total amount - and Black female entrepreneurs experienced the poorest outcomes with just 0.02% over the decade.   Joanne Anderson, who is leading the event, said: 'The day is a unique chance to support the growth of diverse businesses and make valuable connections that will help drive lasting change in the region.' Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub Programme Director Alison Navarro said: 'This event is a brilliant way to connect with the incredible talent across our region. It’s a powerful platform for building relationships, sharing ideas and championing the value of diversity in business.' Paula Brown, from event sponsor Livv Investment, added: 'We’re all about getting social investment to the people making a difference. The Reverse Pitch Day is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with founders from diverse backgrounds, who are creating innovative, impact-led businesses.' The event will be hosted by award-winning co-founder and CEO of  Foundervine , Izzy Obeng MBE. Katherine Fairclough | Richard McGuckin | Tim Games | Kirsty McLean | Camilla Mankabady | Michelle Charters | Sonia Bassey MBE, FLJMU

Applications now open for Black Leadership Empowerment Programme In partnership with The Open University Business School, Liverpool City Region’s Race Equality Hub is proud to launch two new leadership development programmes for aspiring leaders from Black and Ethnic backgrounds: Introducing Black Leadership and Advancing Black Leadership. Each 8-week programme includes: • Flexible online learning (3 hours per week) • Regular peer and tutor engagement • In-person sessions featuring motivational talks and mentoring There are 40 places available, and priority will be given to individuals not currently on other leadership interventions. Deadline to apply: 6th May 2025 Successful applicants will be informed by 9th May and will meet The Open University team at the in-person launch on 15th May. To receive an application form, email: RaceEqualityHub@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk