Greater Manchester Business Start-up and Support

This programme operated over a large, geographically dispersed area with multiple stakeholders including 10 Local Authority match funders, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (formerly the Department for Communities and Local Government).

Blue Orchid delivered the programme and were therefore responsible for the technical and financial performance of the contract. The outcome was that Blue Orchid delivered 90% of all programme outputs. A rigorous internal audit programme was carried out on expenditure and output compliance.

• Deliver a demand-led offer of specialist business support and services, targeting barriers to start-up and growth
• Increase business start-up and survival rates
• Target disadvantaged groups black, minority, ethnic (BME), women, the disabled
• Generate new private sector jobs and safeguard existing employment
• Contribute to regional Growth Value Added (GVA) targets