Highland Opportunity - Is Your Business Needing Help to Expand?
13th January 2013
Check out www.highland-opportunity.com.
The business of HOL is that of an Enterprise Trust for the Highlands – a body whose purpose is to stimulate economic activity, promote the start up and growth of business ventures including social enterprises, to help create new jobs, improve access to employment and foster business activity and trade. It has been in existence since 1986.
The company delivers its purpose through three business streams:
Financial investment in private and social enterprises, primarily through low cost discretionary loans, but occasionally through equity stakes or commodity contracts and through match funding the loans made by the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).
Business advice and training services, including the Highland agency for PSYBT, under the national banner of Business Gateway.
Practical business support activities such as serviced business space, European trade connections, access to public sector contract opportunities, wage subsidies as incentives to employers and employability initiatives, administrative support to Young Enterprise Scotland and business success awards.
HOL also seeks to be a Highland centre of gravity for business support and work creation through engagement with all public sector agencies, the European Commission, the charities of Prince Charles, chambers of commerce, trade associations, social economy sponsors and political initiatives.
The net asset value of HOL is £4.5 million; it employs around 30 people in 10 offices and operates over 10,000 square feet of business space. Its annual non-investment turnover is around £2 million and its annual investment programme is around £750,000.
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Highland Opportunity this week hosted 24 delegates at a Round Table event in Inverness as part of StArt-App – a €400,000 project aimed at providing young people and adults with tools to enable them to start up and continue in business in the cultural and creative sectors. The only British partner in the project, Highland Opportunity hosted workshops, research and discussion events, and a reception at Inverness Town House for delegates from nine European project partners from Italy, Greece, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and Croatia.
Through the financial support of The Highland Council and specialist recruitment advice delivered by Business Gateway Highlands’ Recruitment Service, 170 new jobs have been created in the Highlands over the last 18 months. The Highland Council’s specially designed funding initiatives – the Employment Grant and Graduate Placement Programme – have simultaneously encouraged and supported the growth of local companies, and helped graduates and local people out of work to gain full-time employment that has given them new skills and invaluable experience.
FUNDING BOOST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES LOOKING TO TEST THE EUROPEAN MARKET. Highland Opportunity’s Business Gateway service has received Highland Council and Moray Council backing to launch a new grant scheme aimed at helping small businesses to explore new opportunities in Europe.
Small firms from across the Highlands will get the lowdown on how to tap into traditional and alternative sources of finance at an event in Inverness later this month. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has joined forces with local business experts Highland Opportunity and their Business Gateway service plus MSP, Rhoda Grant, to host a special event -Accessing Business Finance - at the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Stadium on the 29 April.
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Whether you’re starting or growing your new business, find out how we can help make your business idea a reality. For assistance with your new or existing business, call 0845 609 6611 or request a call back.
Business Gateway Highland has created two new services for businesses in the Highlands with the aim of creating new jobs and helping businesses to grow. One of the new services offered by Business Gateway Highland will help create new jobs in some of the region's most remote, rural areas.
FREE Business Gateway Workshops For New and Existing Businesses. Thinking of starting your own business in the next few months, or developing your existing business - then contact Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development Officer, Business Gateway, Caithness.
Thinking of starting your own business in the next few months, or developing your existing business - then contact Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development Officer, Business Gateway, Caithness - on 01955 605360; mobile 07921758450 - or email jennifer.irvine[AT]highland-opportunity.com - to book a place on the following FREE workshops: Tuesday 6 April: Record Keeping - Mackays Hotel, Wick Wednesday 7 April: Marketing & Selling Skills - Mackays Hotel, Wick Thursday 15 & Friday 16 April: 2 Day Business Start-Up - Naver Business Centre, Thurso Thursday 27 & Friday 28 May: 2 Day Business Start-Up - Mackays Hotel, Wick Wednesday 23 June: Employment Law - Naver Business Centre, Thurso All courses times: 9.30am to 4pm.
