Business
Growth
Factory
Empowering Winchester Entrepreneurs to Innovate, Scale and Succeed.
Provider Logos

What is the Business Growth Factory?

Are you an entrepreneur, early-stage startup, or SME looking to take your business to the next level? And live in Winchester



The Business Growth Factory, a new initiative by IncuHive in partnership with Winchester City Council, is here to provide the training and support you need to develop a sustainable and successful business model.

Through expert-led mentoring, hands-on workshops, and tailored support, you'll gain the skills to identify your target market, develop a customer journey, manage your finances, and build an entrepreneurial mindset. You'll also receive investment pitch training to help prepare you for incubation or acceleration support.

Each and every business enrolled will get the focused support needed to achieve growth and long-term success.



Are You Eligible?

BGF_LOGO Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
flowcharttwo Winchester CC Business Growth Factory

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

What the Programme Offers:


1. Commercialisation Support Unlock the potential of your ideas with our tailored commercialisation support course designed specifically for pre-launch startups and early-stage businesses. This dynamic program will guide you through the process of transforming your innovations into viable products, helping you navigate the path to success. With expert insights and practical strategies, you'll gain the tools you need to accelerate growth and make your vision a reality. Join us and take the first step towards turning your innovative concepts into a thriving business!

2. Incubation & Scale-Up Support Dive into an exhilarating journey of growth and transformation with our immersive incubation support course! Over three action-packed months, you'll receive hands-on guidance and personalized mentorship designed to elevate your business to new heights. Learn how to build scalable business models that attract attention, refine your sales strategies to maximize your reach, and prepare your venture for investment with confidence. Whether you're a budding startup or an emerging scale-up, this intensive program offers the tools, resources, and expert insights you need to turn your ideas into a successful reality. Join us and embark on a transformative experience that will take your business from concept to commercialization, setting you on the path to lasting success! For early-stage companies with a marketable product, this programme helps you scale quickly. You'll receive expert advice on optimising your business model, refining your product, and preparing for investment.

3. Acceleration Support Supercharge your business with our Business Acceleration Support Programme, designed to provide tailored guidance that propels your growth and positions you as a market leader. Over the course of this transformative program, you’ll receive expert insights and personalised strategies focused on optimising future value of the business and enhancing your competitive edge. Our experienced mentors will work closely with you to identify opportunities for expansion, streamline operations, and refine your marketing approach. Join us to unlock your business's full potential and accelerate your journey to success in today’s fast-paced market!

4. SME Leadership and Digital Productivity Elevate your established SME with our Leadership and Digital Productivity Programme, designed to enhance efficiency, and optimise the future value of your business. This one day programme offers tailored insights and strategies to empower your leadership team, streamline operations, and harness digital tools for maximum impact. With a focus on fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, you’ll learn how to navigate the challenges of today’s dynamic market while positioning your business for sustainable growth. Join us to unlock new levels of productivity and secure a prosperous future for your organisation!

5. Sustainability Workshops Kickstart your journey toward net-zero with our sustainability course! Discover how to integrate sustainable practices into your business operations. These engaging online sessions, held monthly from October to January, will guide you in developing a tailored plan to achieve your net-zero goals. Join us and take the first step toward a more sustainable future for your business!


Apply Here

Who is eligible?

This programme is open to new entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, and small businesses (SMEs) looking to grow and develop sustainable business models.

How to Apply

Complete a simple online application form on our website. Once submitted, our team will review your application and get in touch with the next steps.



What can you expect to achieve?

By the end of the Business Growth Factory, you'll have a clear, actionable plan to grow your business. You'll also have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to pitch for investment and work toward long-term success.


Let us help you turn your business vision into reality! Apply today and take the first step towards growth with the Business Growth Factory.


Apply Here

bstokesideimage Winchester CC Business Growth Factory

The following are our dedicated team of Business Mentors at IncuHive

g2 Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
George has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to work for himself. He spent nine years in London working in the property industry. At 30 he left London and co-founded Kiss Gyms, a low cost award-winning gym chain. George also bought and redeveloped a Pub, Restaurant and Hotel once famously owned by Keith Floyd in Totnes, Devon. George heads up operations as part of Team IncuHive!

LinkedIn

George Scott-Welsh

steve-head Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Steve splits his time between his role as Senior Lecturer in Business Management at the University of Winchester and as mentor/investor operating a wide range of businesses across a diverse range of sectors. Steve's specialities include business start-up, innovation and creativity.

LinkedIn

Steven Northam

johead Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Jo is a chartered accountant with a wealth of experience in the financial directorship arena. Jo holds an MBA and has worked for large public sector oganisations in a Financial Director role, including Centrica and the NHS. Jo looks after everything money and finances wise for Team IncuHive, and keep us all in check! Jo also owns her own soap company (The Winchester Soap Company) and is a trained florist!

LinkedIn

Jo Hitchings

c5 Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Chris has had a 30-year career in finance and operational teams for companies such as Arcadia, Alstom, Eriks and latterly has been global CFO of a US based sports betting service provider. Chris brings corporate governance, compliance and processes, helping clients with the strategic implementation and management of these vital functions within their organisations.

LinkedIn

Chris Murthy

c3 Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Chris has 20 years’ experience working with small-to-medium, fast growth businesses. He specialises in helping businesses implement the right processes, people and strategy to tackle the challenges that come with success. He founded his first business at 25, a software development house, has worked with numerous start-ups and scale-ups and currently sits on the board of a leading healthtech scale-up.

LinkedIn

Chris Hodgson

s4 Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Thirty years of starting and building companies in the sports and hospitality industries, both in UK and Middle East. Sanjay has worked with the likes of adidas-Taylor Made, Salomon, Xscape, IHG and Jumeirah. He started ZedAlpha because he wanted to help organisations in the sports industry become more profitable through improved data, operations and new revenue streams.

LinkedIn

Sanjay Murthy

andyhead Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Andy loves to work with anyone running their own business or who is thinking about doing so. Having experienced both the highs and lows of enterprise, as well as spending the past 20 years as a business adviser and mentor, he would love to help you in any way that he can. If you are thinking about selling Christmas trees door-to-door or importing Teenage Ninja Turtle figures, Andy is definitely your man! If not, please do still get in touch.

LinkedIn

Andy Pringle

timbrock Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Supporting SME's for over 25 years - Start-ups, farming, AG Tech, food & drink, landowners, flexible office space, renewables, green hydrogen, flexible ceramics and now anyone with just a business idea up to 249 employees. Sales/Marketing/Events/Business Development and connections. "Since first meeting Tim in the summer of 2019 he has been an invaluable member of my network. He is a master connector and collaborator and understands a great deal about business and with his help we have increased our business turnover by a significant amount." "So, if you are looking for someone who really understands people's needs, listens more than he advises, then Tim is your person."

LinkedIn

Tim Brock

k1 Winchester CC Business Growth Factory
Kate’s first business, a marketing agency, grew from strength to strength and in 2014 she launched her second business, Zip Us In. Having identified a gap in the market, Kate designed and manufactured a jacket expander panel for use in pregnancy and when baby-wearing. The product range is sold around the world and her knowledge and experience in marketing has been a huge part of the rapid brand growth.

LinkedIn

Kate Bell