• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Thursday June 16 2022
• Author Name: Peter Davison

New initiative to support SMEs launched in Swindon

A new initiative to support SMEs in Swindon and Wiltshire has been launched in Swindon’s historic Carriage Works.

The Foundry has been established by business start-up experts Outset to accelerate the growth of small businesses.

Conceived in aftermath of the Honda plant closure announcement, the European Regional Development Fund-backed programme has been expanded from plant workers to all SMEs.

The small business accelerator offers 10 weeks’ free desk space at Swindon’s Workshed, with complimentary business support on hand from Outset’s business development professionals and commercial partners Metro Bank, accountants Monohans, law firm Thrings, and TechSpark, which supports Swindon’s tech community.

The Foundry is also backed by Swindon Borough Council, Swindon & Wiltshire LEP, Wiltshire Federation of Small Businesses, and Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The initiative will formally launch in September, but a trial began this week and runs until the end of August, and is open for applications.

Duncan Robinson, senior enterprise advisor at Outset, said: “We’re looking for businesses who want to grow, but unlike some programmes that target firms interested in exponential growth The Foundry is not defining what growth looks like: it could be financial, creating new jobs, or even creating social value.

“Our advisors will help businesses define what growth means to them, and that them to achieve their goals.”

For more information about the initiative, or to apply for a space, email duncan.robinson@outset.org