Leaders at 14 businesses from across Greater Manchester are set to fly to a European capital of creativity later this month.
Amplify is a new nine-month growth programme for businesses in Greater Manchester in the digital, creative and technology sectors.
Part of the Growth Company, GC Business Growth Hub have created Amplify as a new venture for 2018/19. The programme combines different elements of support designed to enable the sustainable growth of each company.
The programme is focused on businesses across the city that have significant potential to scale and create new products, services and jobs in the local economy.
The study trip will provide fresh input and inspiration, which then sets the foundation for the rest of the programme to see momentum build in the growth of each business.
Participants will take in visits to sector leaders like the Danish national broadcaster DR, world-renowned digital product studio UsTwo and the disruptive FinTech company Pleo.
Alongside the study trip, the programme provides bespoke monthly growth challenges, a facilitated two-day strategy workshop using the Google Design Sprint methodology and ongoing support from an experienced advisor to the senior team.
“Amplify is part of our wide range of support for the city’s businesses in the digital, creative and tech sectors,” said GC Business Growth Hubdirector of business growth Richard Jeffery.
“Greater Manchester has always been a hub of innovation and fresh thinking. To our knowledge, nothing exists in the country that is shaped quite like Amplify with all its different elements.
“With that in mind we’re delighted to be continuing this tradition of invention in the spirit of helping brilliant businesses maximise their potential for growth.”
Simon Weeks, CEO of Maginus, one of the participating businesses, said: “As we review our product offer and proposition, we think Amplify will help us to go through this process as effectively as possible, and maximise our growth as a result.
“It’ll be invaluable to have the support Amplify will provide over the next nine months.”
The programme will run until 2020, supporting a total of 45 companies across Greater Manchester. Applications for the 2019/20 cohort will open in summer 2019.
GC Business Growth Hub projects are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the GM Business Growth Hub project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester.