Advance Worcestershire
How Advance Worcestershire works
A structured programme of specialist support for Worcestershire SMEs
Advance Worcestershire helps established SMEs take a more focused approach to growth.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, the programme provides a structured journey that helps businesses understand their current position, identify the right priorities and access specialist support where it will have the greatest impact.
Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, Advance Worcestershire is fully funded for eligible businesses and designed to support practical progress in three key areas: manufacturing, innovation and investment readiness.
Built for businesses ready to take the next step
Many businesses reach a point where growth is possible, but the next move is not always clear.
You may be looking to improve efficiency, strengthen operations, explore new ideas, prepare for investment or overcome barriers that are holding the business back. Advance Worcestershire is designed to help you make sense of those opportunities and challenges, then turn them into a clear plan of action.
The programme is best suited to established SMEs that want more than high-level advice and are ready to engage with expert support to drive measurable improvement.
To be eligible, your business must:
- employ 5 or more people (FTE)
- be based in Worcestershire
- have been trading for at least 3 years
- be able to demonstrate growth ambition and potential outcomes
Some sectors are excluded, including primary production such as agriculture, and publicly funded bodies.
A two-phase programme designed around your business
Business diagnostic and action plan
The first stage of the programme is about understanding your business in more detail.
You will receive a minimum of 6 hours of one-to-one support with a specialist adviser who will work with you to explore your current position, growth ambitions, challenges and opportunities. This stage is designed to identify what matters most and where support can make the biggest difference.
Together you will:
- Assess business performance, priorities and barriers to growth
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, innovation or readiness for funding
- Develop a bespoke action plan aligned to your goals
- Create a stronger foundation for the next stage of support
This phase is supported by GROWTHmapper, a structured diagnostic tool that helps turn insight into clear, prioritised actions. Businesses will also benefit from GrowthCanvas, an AI-powered market insight tool designed to strengthen decision-making and competitiveness.
Specialist implementation support
Businesses with clear growth opportunities can then progress to a further 8 hours of intensive specialist support.
This second phase focuses on helping you put your action plan into practice. Support is tailored to your business needs and delivered by experts with relevant sector or thematic expertise. Depending on your priorities, this may involve operational improvements, product or service development, strategic planning or work to strengthen your investment proposition.
At this stage, businesses move into one of three specialist support paths and could include support to:
- Implement priority actions identified during the diagnostic stage
- Address specific technical or strategic challenges
- Explore opportunities for innovation, development or new ways of working
- Improve business processes, productivity or operational performance
- Strengthen your plans, proposition and readiness for investment
“Through their expert guidance and strategic insights, we have been able to refine our vision, implement innovative practices, and commence scaling our business to new heights. The support has empowered us and we are excited for the future and grateful for the role Jag and the programme have played in our succession."
Majid & Wajid Yousef, Directors
Explore the three specialist support paths
Manufacturing
Support for businesses looking to improve productivity, streamline operations and strengthen manufacturing capability.
This path is designed for manufacturers that want to make practical improvements to the way they operate, whether that means increasing efficiency, refining processes, addressing bottlenecks or creating a stronger platform for growth.
Innovation
Support for businesses that want to develop new ideas, improve processes or bring products and services to market.
This path helps businesses explore opportunities for innovation in a practical, commercially focused way. It is designed to support those looking to adapt, evolve and remain competitive through new thinking and improved ways of working.
Investment Readiness
Support for businesses preparing to secure funding and strengthen their proposition for growth.
This path is aimed at businesses that want to become more attractive to investors or funders by improving their planning, proposition and confidence. Whether you are actively seeking investment or preparing for future opportunities, support is focused on helping you present the business more effectively.
What happens next?
Once you apply, your business will be assessed for eligibility and fit. If accepted onto the programme, you will begin with the diagnostic stage, where an adviser will work with you to understand your business and develop a tailored action plan.
From there, businesses with clear growth opportunities can progress into specialist implementation support aligned to the area that best fits their needs.
This means the programme is structured, but never rigid — support is shaped around your business, your priorities and the opportunities ahead.
Get started
Ready to explore the next stage of growth?
Advance Worcestershire is here to help established Worcestershire businesses take practical steps towards stronger performance, greater resilience and long-term growth.
Apply now to join Advance Worcestershire and unlock your next stage of growth.
