Renfrewshire Business Challenge Fund

Renfrewshire Business Challenge Fund: empowering Renfrewshire businesses for success through growth and sustainability

Renfrewshire Council’s Business Challenge Fund aims to bolster the growth and sustainability of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Renfrewshire. The initiative with support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund invited proposals from public, private, education and third sector organisations in the area for new and bespoke business support services.

The fund, structured around five key areas, reflects the evolving needs of local businesses: Business Growth and Productivity; Business Sustainability and Net-Zero; Innovation and Collaboration; Internationalisation and Digital Upskilling. 

The successful applications from NMIS, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and West College Scotland represent an investment in the future prosperity of Renfrewshire allowing businesses to innovate, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace. 

NMIS PRODIGY (PROductivity and Digital Innovation for Growing Your Business) programme offers a comprehensive suite of digital manufacturing upskilling interventions from Demo Days showcasing the basics of 3D printing and collaborative robots to immersive Interactive Upskilling Workshops that provide participants with hands-on skills and access to expertise. 

The highlight of the programme is the Supported Technology Trial which enables SMEs to test and validate the benefits of adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. Led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, this support is entirely free for SMEs in the Renfrewshire area. For more information contact PRODIGY at nm*********@st****.uk">nm*********@st****.uk.

Renfrewshire Chamber are delivering four projects: Renfrewshire International Trade helping to expand your business by trading internationally. It provides workshops, information and 1-2-1 consultancy support to encourage SMEs to export either for the first time or to develop new markets with existing products or services.

The Trade Mission Support programme can provide 50% match funding to cover costs of attending physical trade missions and exhibitions and supporting some of the logistics in presenting your commercial offer abroad. 

The Business Mentoring Programme for non-members works with a group of dedicated expert volunteer mentors who offer their knowledge, skills and connections to help you meet challenges and support your business. You will be matched with someone who has the right skills and experience to add value to your business.

The AI Innovation Programme can identity what aspect of your business could benefit from applying generative AI software & technology. It includes 1-2-1 consultancy support with AI experts over six months to measure improvements in productivity and efficiency of your business. For more information contact:

Stuart Hamilton – Renfrewshire International Trade & Trade Mission Support, call 07554 153517 or email: sh*******@re*****************.com

Stuart Murray – Business Mentoring, call 07525 323500 or email: sm*****@re*****************.com

Bob Grant – AI Innovation, call 07702 909476 or email: bg****@re*****************.com

West College Scotland will deliver the Renfrewshire Net Zero Workforce Development Fund (NZWDF) equipping SMEs in Renfrewshire with the skills and capabilities to move towards net zero. 

Via a small grant programme, participating SMEs will be able to equip their workforces with the skills needed to deliver new, or enhanced, net zero services to their business customers; helping customers meet their Net Zero and Sustainability goals while maximising the opportunities for participating SMEs to grow their business.

In supporting 40 SMEs, NZWDF will significantly support Renfrewshire’s contribution towards the achievement of Net Zero goals. For more information contact nz***@wc*.uk