BUSINESS Link Northwest has secured £1.6m of funding to support innovation in the region’s businesses.

Its innovation service, which launched in April, has worked with more than 300 businesses, but will now be able to increase its operations because of the additional funding, which is from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

John Chisholm, innovation manager at Business Link Northwest, said: “We’re delighted to have received £1.6m ERDF funding, which means we can deliver innovation on a larger scale than before, benefiting more businesses.

“Previously, as a team, we felt restricted because the service just didn’t have the critical mass it needed to meet market demand.”

Business Link has a team of specialist innovation advisers who work with companies that are looking for support with product, service, process or cultural innovation.

The innovation team is also involved with delivering the North West Development Agency’s innovation voucher scheme.

The scheme is delivered in rounds and offers vouchers of £3,000 and £7,000 to eligible businesses. The next round runs from December 7 to January 4, 2010.

Business Link helps to match companies with relevant suppliers from the knowledge panel. The scheme encourages businesses to engage with the knowledge base, especially universities and further education colleges.

Mr Chisholm said: “Innovation vouchers are designed to help business owners to purchase a knowledge provider's expertise to help them develop their business through innovation.

“The scheme was set up to encourage more entrepreneurs to engage with the region’s strong knowledge base, which includes universities, research bodies and other private sector providers.

“Companies can really benefit from building such a partnership and we play an important role when it comes to making the right connections.”