Navigating the best way to business success was the theme of a launch event at the world famous Warsash Maritime Academy.
Solent Growth Hub showcased a new web portal that signposts companies and entrepreneurs in the region towards grant funding, training and other support.
The portal, www.solentgrowthhub.co.uk, complements phone and face-to-face hub services launched earlier this year.
Fronting the services are a team of ‘navigators’ tasked with making it as easy as possible for SMEs and other companies to access the most appropriate sources of help.
Hampshire Chamber is delivering the hub as part of a consortium of partners led by the University of Portsmouth.
Funding is being provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) following a £2.5 million Regional Growth Fund bid made possible by the City Deal agreed for Portsmouth and Southampton.
Stewart Dunn, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said: “Solent Growth Hub recognises the need to support ambitious companies who are creating jobs in our region. The portal and the other services being delivered will together be a one-stop-shop and a catalyst for growth.”
Mr Dunn said Warsash Maritime Academy was a fitting place for the launch given the theme of navigation, the Academy’s location in the heart of the Solent region, and because it is run by project partner Southampton Solent University.
Other partners include Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, Isle of Wight Council, University of Southampton, UK Trade & Investment, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Business Alliance.
Dr Alistair McDermott, Director of Innovation Services at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Solent Growth Hub will help to deliver the strategic aims of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and unlock the potential of our knowledge base.
Although we are a partnership, this is not an exclusive environment. It should be seen as everybody’s hub.”
Karen Leigh, Assistant Director of Hub Policy and Implementation in the BIS Enterprise Directorate, said the hub would “help businesses connect to national, local, public and private sector sources of help”.
Solent Growth Hub has also received a vote of confidence from Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock. He said: “Small businesses are the foundation of long term economic growth, and Government is committed to providing national and local support that is simple, easy to find and designed around their needs to help them start up and scale up.
“The launch of Solent Growth Hub is a great example of joining up national and local support, giving Hampshire businesses one place to go for help in their area.”
