University Business Support Team

Business Support Done Right

Based at Waterside Campus, the University’s Business Support team offers a wide range of business support services to the Northamptonshire community, South East Midlands and to the students and staff of the University.

We are a team of experienced, accredited advisers with customer-focussed support staff – providing information, advice and guidance to entrepreneurs and businesses at all stages of their development – from pre-start to scale-up.  Helping clients start/grow their business with the right solutions to meet their needs.

Our Events

We offer various online and in-person events on a broad spectrum of topics, bringing together external partners and academic knowledge with our business support expertise to provide advice and guidance in a collaborative and responsive environment.

See our latest events

COVID-19 Response

Pathways for Recovery

Pathways for Recovery is a part funded European Social Fund, SEMLEP wide comprehensive employment support initiative focused on helping those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of COVID-19. This initiative will be delivered by a regional partnership including specialist support providers, employment and skills organisations and strategic stakeholders.

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Start-up Business Support

South East Midlands Start-up Programme (SEMSUP

The University’s Business Support team is a delivery partner in the South East Midlands Start-up Programme (SEMSUP). Led by Wenta, this European project focuses on social enterprises and start-ups across the South East Midlands area. The support includes the provision of one-to-one advice, workshops, grants, and incubation facilities.

Growing Business Support

Knowledge Exchange for Better Business

Delivered by the University of Northampton and its trusted partners, Knowledge Exchange for Better Business enables small businesses across Northamptonshire to develop and grow by offering free tailored support packages.

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GrowthCurve

As a delivery partner with South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Hub (SEMLEP’s Growth Hub), the University delivers, academic-led, masterclasses as part of the Growth Curve project. Growth Curve is a fully funded (European) programme for high growth businesses based in the South East Midlands. Providing a minimum of 12-hours of tailored support, including one-to-one meetings and masterclasses.

SEMLEP’s Growth Hub also provide a wide range of services and advice for existing and growing businesses. For more information on this project please visit the Growth Curve website or contact them directly on 0300 01234 35.

Meet the Team

  • Business Adviser

    Paul Smith, Business Adviser

    Paul has over 30 years’ experience across a broad range of sectors, supporting both commercial and social enterprises helping them to define and achieve their goals. His primary focus within the Directorate most recently has been providing support for Start-up and Early-Stage businesses. He also delivers many of our business support workshops and webinars. Outside of work Paul is a Parish Councillor, a community newsletter editor, a community broadband volunteer and village hall administrator. Paul is also a keen amateur musician and stage manager for an amateur operatic society.

  • Business Adviser

    Adam Lawton, Business Adviser

    Adam graduated in 1998 and spent his early career in FMCG working for international brands as National Account Manager. Following his passion Adam left the commercial world to set up his own food retail business, this was developed over several years and ultimately sold. Within the University Adam has spent 4 years advising Entrepreneurs and Businesses, both commercial and social and is currently delivering business support to start up and established businesses.

  • Events and Engagement Officer

    Jordan Russell, Events and Engagement Officer

    Since graduating in 2013, Jordan has thrown herself into the world of marketing and events management. Prior to joining UON she worked with various prestigious commercial businesses and charities across the globe such as Nikon, TUI, and the Air Ambulance. Within the Directorate she looks after our websites and social media platforms, creates, and facilitates events whilst building relationships with commercial businesses and social enterprises. Jordan is also responsible for content creation and engagement tools for the Directorate. Outside work she is a published, award winning illustrator and photographer, runs her own business, plays rugby and is an avid tea, wine, and Disney enthusiast.

For more information on our services and how we can help please visit our website or email us directly at: business_support@northampton.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can contact us through our form.

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