X-Forces, a startup support organisation that facilitates business mentoring and loans for ex-forces and their families, has opened a new regional office at United Business Centres’ 65 Church Street, Birmingham.
Following the official launch of 65 Church Street in July 2014 – United Business Centres’ newest flexible workspace location – the centre has attracted a star line-up of businesses to its newly refurbished workspace.
The latest is X-Forces, a startup support organisation that helps ex-military service leavers, veterans, reservists and family members create new business ventures.
X-Forces has partnered with the government-run Start-Up Loans Company to facilitate loans of up to £25,000, and also offers expert advice on starting and running a business, including help with cash flow forecasts, business plans, and marketing. It is the only provider of a complete business support to the Armed Forces community.
The organisation has an established head office in London and a regional hub in Newcastle. Its new office location in Birmingham is part of a regional growth strategy to expand its reach and connect with more startups across the UK.
“Face-to-face contact is much more efficient than speaking over the phone, especially when discussing detailed and often complex issues such as business plans and financial forecasts,” explained Ren Kapur, Founder and CEO of X-Forces.
“Birmingham has an excellent transport infrastructure which makes it easier to meet our clients. In addition, it also has a rich military heritage to which we were naturally drawn.”
Since its launch in July 2013, X-Forces has helped to launch over 175 new businesses and facilitated more than £1.7m in seed funding. By the end of 2016, it plans to support the launch of 900 businesses. From these, the group estimates that 6,600 jobs will be created.
X-Forces works with a vast spectrum of businesses and industries. Among them, MKM Creations designs and sells contemporary planters for the home and garden; Soldier on Security offers security services from ex-military and police personnel; and Arden Aesthetics is run by the wife of a RAF serviceman.
Heroes Drinks Company, a successful beverage brand founded by a UK military veteran, started out with a business loan facilitated by X-Forces and is now on the expansion trail. It pledges 20% of its profits to forces and veterans’ charities.
From its new base in Birmingham, X-Forces now plans to use its new regional location to connect with more aspiring businessmen and women both in the Midlands and across the UK, and increase its support to assist more startup ventures.
To this end, United Business Centres’ location at 65 Church Street is perfectly positioned thanks to its proximity to local major road networks and train stations, as well as an abundance of on-site meeting venues for visiting candidates.
Commenting on their new regional office, Birmingham-based Operations Director Vin Murria said: “We found the service, from start to finish, fantastic. We get on extremely well with the team here, who helped us feel settled from the start and who are always on hand to offer support.
“The office space is excellent, it’s a lovely environment in which to work and we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with United Business Centres as our business continues to grow.”