Heathrow is calling for SMEs across the North West to come forward and pitch their products to the world.
The UK’s hub airport is relaunching its World of Opportunity competition which helps new exporters to get their goods and services sold on international markets.
Grants are up for grabs in every nation and region of the country and winners will receive funding to further their exporting ambitions.
Previous winners have funded vital trade missions, research and training that has helped them expand into lucrative overseas markets, driving growth in their sales and supporting jobs on home soil.
World of Opportunity is delivered in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), who recently published their SME Export Taskforce recommendations outlining how business and Government can supercharge SME exporting. Winners will be connected to the network of advice via the Export Support Service, offered by the Department for Business and Trade, to assist in their research and export strategies.
Applications are open September 23 to December 23 and a judging panel of business and government experts will select the most promising company from each of the UK’s 12 nations and regions. Winners will each receive £2,000.
Previous winners include Nantwich-based accessibility consultants, Direct Access Consultancy, whose expertise now has a global reach. Their World of Opportunity grant helped them become advisors to the Expo 2020 Dubai, allowing their team of two to expand to 15. Every team member has a disability, and they now work with hundred of clients around the world to create accessible environments.
Steve Dering, operations director at DAC, said: “If we get bigger, we help more companies become inclusive for disabled people. Sending an email doesn’t work, on the phone doesn’t work. If you’re there to physically shake someone’s hand, people buy people.”
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “In every corner of the UK there are entrepreneurs who have the potential to be exporters. SMEs in this country make and do fantastic things, selling those products and services on international markets is key to economic growth and supporting jobs at home.”
To find out more and apply, visit: heathrow.com/world-of-opportunity
Image credit: Adning
