Home Boost Business Lancashire logo

New Two Zero programme launched by Lancashire County Council

Two Zero brand

A new scale-up programme has been launched for ambitious Lancashire companies who want to grow 20 per cent per year.

Two Zero, which is fully-funded and led by Lancashire County Council, will bring together business leaders in Lancashire’s key sectors for performance coaching, one-to-one advice and peer learning.

The programme aims to make businesses capable of faster growth by transforming their mindset, improving their network and helping them to access new markets. Amin Vepari, programme manager for Two Zero, said: “What sets Two Zero apart is that it is for those unique businesses with a goal of achieving 20 per cent year on year growth, which is a huge challenge.

“Lancashire already has a strong community of scale-up businesses. By investing in this area of the market, we will help these companies to put the infrastructure in place to achieve this growth faster and more sustainably.” The programme is aimed at businesses who are already growing turnover or staff by around 20 per cent and wish to continue. It will begin with three pilot programmes which will start in March. Each will be delivered by an organisation with expert subject knowledge and will be tailored to participants on the programme. Two Zero: Food and drink will be delivered by the Growth Company; Two Zero: Female will be delivered by Groundswell Innovation and Northern Power Women; Two Zero: Social enterprise will be delivered by Selnet.

The scale-up landscape

As part of its support for Lancashire’s scale-up community, Lancashire County Council has become a member of the ScaleUp Institute, a private sector, not-for-profit company which works with policymakers to support UK’s scale-ups. Scale-up businesses are defined by the ScaleUp Institute as those growing turnover or staff by at least 20 per cent per annum over a three-year period.

Figures from the organisation’s ScaleUp Review 2019 show that while scale-up businesses account for just 0.6 per cent of UK SMEs, they contribute about £1.3 trillion (70 per cent) of SMEs’ total turnover output. Amin added: “Scaling business are 42 per cent more productive than other companies and return more money to the local economy. “Two Zero will help the county retain and attract more of these companies, which deliver huge economic gains for their supply chain, partners and the whole business community.”

County councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, Lancashire County Council, said: “Profitable, growing businesses are vital to the success of Lancashire’s economy. “Lancashire County Council already has a successful history of helping ambitious businesses achieve their potential and Two Zero is a great addition to our growth conversation. “Allowing these companies to reach their true potential will lead to substantial high-quality job creation which will benefit residents across the county.”

Applications for Two Zero’s pilot programmes are currently open and will close on February 28. Businesses interested in applying can do so by visiting twozerolancs.com or contacting Amin Vepari: Amin.Vepari@lancashire.gov.uk.

Share

You may also like...

Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards
2nd October 2024
 | 
News
Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024
Five Lancashire businesswomen have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at this year's Enterprise Vision Awards (The EVAS) ceremony, the UK's largest awards dedicated to celebrating female entrepreneurs.
Edge Hill University secures £170,000 of government funding to help Lancashire business harness AI for growth Edge Hill University secures 170000
1st October 2024
 | 
News
Edge Hill University secures £170,000 of government funding to help Lancashire business harness AI for growth
Edge Hill University computer science experts have been awarded £170,000 of government funding to help a Lancashire company harness the power of AI to grow their business.

Sign up to our newsletter

For insights and events to help your business thrive.

In completing this form, you understand that Lancashire County Council (Boost) has a requirement to process your personal data. Lancashire County Council will only ever process your personal data where it has a clear lawful basis for doing so in full compliance with data protection legislation - UK GDPR and The Data Protection Act (2018). We will ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal data at all times. For full details of how Lancashire County Council handles your personal data please see our privacy notice here . Some information relating to this public funded project may be declared to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Funded by local govmt
Department for Trade and Business
Northern Powerhouse
Lancashire County Council

The website uses cookies.

Some are used for statistical purposes and others are set up by third party services. By clicking 'Accept all & close', you accept the use of cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.