Specialist support to help your business
innovate, scale and secure investment
Enterprising Worcestershire and Advance Worcestershire are able to support you in taking that next step.
Advance Worcestershire
What is Advance Worcestershire?
Advance Worcestershire is a high-impact business support programme designed to help ambitious SMEs unlock growth, improve productivity and prepare for the future through innovation, investment readiness and manufacturing.
Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, this fully funded programme provides expert-led, tailored support to help your business move forward with confidence.
What you’ll gain
Advance Worcestershire supports established SMEs to overcome barriers to growth and accelerate performance through targeted, specialist advice.
Through a structured, two-phase journey, businesses will gain the insights, tools and expert guidance needed to:
- Improve productivity and operational efficiency
- Innovate products, processes or services
- Strengthen your investment readiness
- Create higher-value jobs and drive sustainable growth
Support is focused across three key areas:
Investment Readiness
Prepare for investment with expert guidance to strengthen your proposition, build confidence and attract the right funding.
Innovation
Develop new ideas, products and ways of working with expert support to help your business innovate and grow.
Manufacturing
Boost efficiency, improve processes and unlock growth with specialist manufacturing support tailored to your business.
The process
What support will you receive?
Phase 1: Business Diagnostic & Action Plan
You’ll receive a minimum of 6 hours of one-to-one support with a specialist adviser to:
- Assess your business performance, challenges and opportunities
- Identify key priorities for growth
- Develop a bespoke, actionable plan aligned to your ambitions
This stage is enhanced by GROWTHmapper, a structured bespoke diagnostic tool to turn business insight into clear actions. With support from GrowthCanvas, an AI-powered market insight tool to enhance competitiveness.
Phase 2: Specialist Implementation Support
Businesses with clear growth opportunities can progress to a further 8 hours of intensive expert support in either manufacturing, innovation or investment readiness to:
- Implement your action plan
- Address technical or strategic challenges
- Accelerate measurable business improvements
Support is delivered by industry experts matched to your business needs.
Additional support and resources
As part of Advance Worcestershire, you’ll also benefit from:
- Peer networking and facilitated group sessions
- Workshops and masterclasses on key topics
- Access to wider local and national business support
- Ongoing adviser support and signposting
Who is eligible?
To apply, your business must:
- Employ 5 or more people (FTE)
- Be based in Worcestershire
- Have been trading for at least 3 years
- Be able to demonstrate growth ambition and potential outcomes
Please note: Some sectors are excluded (e.g. primary production such as agriculture, and publicly funded bodies).
If you don’t fit the employment or trading requirements, you may be eligible for the Enterprising Worcestershire Programme.
“The support from Oxford Innovation Advice and Jag Soor has been transformational. It enabled us to innovate, scale efficiently, and bring to market a fully recyclable hot water store tank something unique in the UK heating sector. This is not just growth, it’s sustainable growth with lasting impact"
Richard Prince, Business Development Director
Enterprising Worcestershire Business Coaching
What is Enterprising Worcestershire?
The Enterprising Worcestershire Business Coaching programme offers fully funded, tailored support to help small businesses build confidence, strengthen performance and achieve sustainable growth.
Whether you’re looking to increase sales, improve profitability, or develop your leadership skills, our local expert advisers will work with you to turn your ambitions into clear, achievable actions.
To take part, your business must:
- Employ up to 4 people – including sole traders
- Be based in Worcestershire
- Have been trading for at least 12 months
- Be able to demonstrate how the support will benefit your business
Latest news
Oxford Innovation Advice secures two major Worcestershire programmes to accelerate SME growth
Oxford Innovation Advice has been appointed to deliver two significant business support programmes in Worcestershire, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner to local authorities in driving inclusive economic growth and supporting high-potential SMEs.
From local stands to global plans: The Quattro Display story
Nestled in Redditch, Worcestershire, Quattro Display Ltd. has carved a niche in the design, manufacture, and installation of bespoke exhibition stands, interiors, and showrooms. With over three decades of experience, the company prides itself on delivering a comprehensive turnkey service, encompassing in-house design, graphics production, and meticulous project management.
Nootro Labs finds the right formula for growth
From a small start-up funded by personal savings to one of the UK’s fastest-growing nutraceutical manufacturers, Nootro Labs shows how ambition, innovation and the right support can turn an idea into a major success story.
Get started
Ready to take your business further?
Apply now to join Advance Worcestershire and unlock your next stage of growth.
