TDA is proud to be a silver sponsor for the Riviera Connect Expo which takes place on Tuesday 3rd October at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.
The event is a new collaboration between the Torbay Business Forum and the English Riviera BID Company with the aim of connecting and inspiring businesses across Torbay and further afield.
The all-day event (10am-5pm) is free for delegates to attend and will be filled with networking, inspiration and learning and will include a wide range of expert speakers and exhibitors. Event attendees can also attend free master classes from business experts who are leading business support projects in Torbay.
TDA will have an exhibition stand and will be raising awareness of our economic development work. The event will include a new Enterprise Zone, with reduced price exhibition stands available to new businesses (criteria applies, see website for more details).
The event will also showcase various business support programmes available to Torbay businesses, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Agenda, including:
Start-Up Torbay Delivered by TDA Business Advisor, Kim Thornton, the programme offers bespoke business support and looks to foster entrepreneurial spirit by giving people the confidence, skills, and practical advice they need to start a business or grow their existing business.
IMPACT Torbay Delivered by innovation experts Studio Zao, the programme helps businesses and entrepreneurs to create new commercial opportunities through innovation. Participants can benefit from a wide range of initiatives designed to spark creativity and overcome challenges including hackathons, and accelerators. There are also opportunities for grant funding as part of this support.
Make it Net Zero Torbay Led by manufacturing and business development experts SWMAS, the programme helps companies across Torbay to reduce costs, develop decarbonisation plans and work towards a net zero future. Participants can also benefit from a grant scheme designed to help businesses turn their plans into reality. They will also be administering grants to some businesses as part of the support they are offering.
Torbay has received a total of £1,764,043 from UK Shared Prosperity Fund to invest in local projects over three years with the aims of building pride in place, increasing life chances, and supporting local business, people, and skills. TDA is managing Torbay’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan on behalf of Torbay Council, overseeing procurement, allocating funding, and managing the contracts to those organisations delivering the projects. For more information of Torbay’s Shared Prosperity Fund programme visit investintorbay.com/ukspf or email Torbayukspf@tda.uk.net
Councillor Chris Lewis, Cabinet Member for Place Services and Economic Growth for Torbay Council, said: ‘‘We are delighted to offer a wide range of free business support programmes thanks to Torbay’s allocation of Shared Prosperity Funding. It is fantastic that so many local businesses are already engaging with and benefitting from the programmes, and I hope many more sign up at the Riviera Connect Expo.”
To register your attendance for the Riviera Connect Expo visit riviera-connect.co.uk