BACKING BUSINESS TO DRIVE THE COUNTY DURHAM ECONOMY
Local businesses have displayed tremendous resilience over the last 18 months in dealing with the unprecedented economic shock the pandemic has caused .
Doctor Chenna Rajagopal OBE approached Future Innovation Building Programme ( DFIB ) to help with his business , Affotek .
During that time , Business Durham , the business support service for Durham County Council , saw at first hand the challenges established enterprises and budding entrepreneurs faced .
A common theme from those businesses which survived and thrived during that period and continue to do so is that they are willing to innovate , they have leaders with great ideas and bold ambition .
The Business Durham team offer support and a range of services for start-ups ; growing companies ; and businesses looking to develop new products or enter new markets , all contributing to the County Council ’ s priorities of creating more and better jobs , building a stronger competitive economy and helping people back to work .
Two of the teams most recent programmes , Durham Future Innovation Building programme ( DFIB ), and Durham Ambitious Business Start-Ups ( DABS ) have proved popular . Both programmes , offering easy access to the advice , contacts , and the funding they need to bring forward new business ideas .
‘ The support has been fantastic ’
One business to have benefitted from DABS is Berry Education , launched by Claire Mitchell last September . The company provides support services to multi-academy trusts and has big plans for growth .
DABS is designed to help those embarking on new business ventures and is celebrating its first anniversary , having helped 100 entrepreneurs
DABS supported Claire to produce a growth business plan and two-year financial forecast , which secured a £ 25,000 start-up loan from Virgin Start-Up . She was then introduced to Digital Drive , another Business Durham programme , which helped her access a grant to invest in software that will enable the business to grow rapidly over the next couple of years .
In addition , Business Durham approved a £ 5,000 grant to help her recruit a new member of staff .
“ The support has been fantastic , it ’ s completely transformed the business ,” said Claire .
“ When you set up on your own , it can be a lonely place , but it makes such a difference to have access to people with experience , expertise and the right contacts .
“ Business Durham and the DABS programme have been an integral part of our success and I ’ d whole-heartedly recommend them to other start-ups .”
‘ don ’ t hesitate to get in touch ’
Doctor Chenna Rajagopal OBE launched his business Affotek to create affordable medical solutions minimising the disruption to people ’ s lives .
While working in the NHS , Dr Rajagopal saw the potential for portable and wearable medical devices , inventing one to monitor the brain to detect seizures . Determined to further develop this and others , it became clear he needed expert help to take his ideas forward .
“ Technology , especially for health , doesn ’ t need to be expensive and I could see areas where my devices could be used to help people , but I needed support to realise their potential ,” he explains .
Dr Rajagopal approached Future Innovation Building Programme ( DFIB )
which makes innovation accessible to all businesses providing opportunities to collaborate and learn from industry experts . It offers masterclasses and workshops to support further ideas , define needs , and help entrepreneurs understand the different applications in which they can innovate . The programme focuses on supporting the construction , ‘ Elec-tech ’ ( electronics , electrical and embedded software ) and health sectors .
Expert , in-depth analysis of the business , creating a portfolio of products , and advice on how to employ people to produce them followed . Dr Rajagopal received guidance for a presentation to Challenge North East , which led to £ 5,000 grant . While an introduction to the Engineering and Manufacturing Network connected him to businesses that could help manufacture the equipment .
The business is now developing wearable devices in other areas of medicine , for continuous detection of blood pressure , and air quality .
“ Business Durham was superb in helping me to get further support and identify funding sources . There is a real culture of support and encouragement ,” he says .
“ I definitely have a lot to be thankful for and I would whole-heartedly recommend Business Durham for the benefits they can bring to your business – my message is don ’ t hesitate to get in touch .”
For more information about the support provided by Business Durham , visit www . businessdurham . co . uk or follow them on LinkedIn .
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