Business Bolton

Innovative ideas for business support

Business Bolton has recently supported a number of local companies with applications for Innovation Vouchers, to the value of £12,000.

Innovation Vouchers are designed to help Northwest businesses owners, entrepreneurs and social enterprises to purchase a knowledge provider's expertise to develop innovation and enhance business.

The scheme provides vouchers of £3,000 and £7,000 to growing businesses and social enterprises.  It was set up to encourage and make it easier for more people to engage with the knowledge base; in particular universities and further education colleges.

The key benefits are:

• Access the wealth of knowledge from the knowledge base, including public and private sector research and technology organisations
• Resolve a business issue, quickly, efficiently and through a source not previously utilised
• Easy to apply and 'spend' the voucher
• The scheme is funded by the NWDA and ERDF, so is a credible and stable way to fund your organisation's growth

Higson Media is one of the local businesses that was successful in receiving the Innovation Voucher.  They will be using their Innovation Voucher towards developing a new product which will enhance the e-commerce side of the business and their current product offer.  Higson Media will be working in partnership with the University of Bolton to carry this out.

Mike Higson, the owner of Higson Media, is based at Bolton Enterprise Centre and has been established since 2005. Higson Media offer quality website design and printed publicity to small-medium sized UK businesses. Higson Media's services extend to e-commerce solutions and web marketing; web development and database integration; graphics design and animation; video editing, shop front design and logo design; vehicle body logo / artwork design (including business stationery design and flyers / posters / leaflets ) and much more.

 Mike Higson said "Customised support from Business Bolton, has enabled me to develop the e-commerce side of my business, through the Innovation Voucher scheme."

Ways to get in touch

For further information on Innovation Vouchers, please contact Business Bolton on 01204 336186.