A project that helps Liverpool start-up and early stage businesses has signed a partnership deal with Professional Liverpool to offer more expert support. Tony McDonough reports

A project set up in Liverpool’s Central Library more than six years ago to support start-up and early stage businesses in the city has entered into a new partnership with Professional Liverpool.

Business & IP Centre Liverpool (BIPC Liverpool) offers entrepreneurs look to start a business, or grow an existing one, access to a range of specialist support services. Since it was established it has assisted more than 5,000 people.

Professional Liverpool is a member organisation representing companies in the city region’s professional and financial services sector. The two organisations plan to work closely together on a range of initiatives.

The aim of the collaboration is to boost the business support offering for early stage and growing enterprises in the region and promote the availability of quality expertise from the city region’s professional firms.

BIPC Liverpool provides practical help and advice to people wanting to protect an innovation or idea and grow their business.

A wide range of services are available including free databases containing up to-the-minute market and industry information and trends, access to mentoring and professional legal and general business advice as well as a programme of workshops, networking and other events. 

BIPC Liverpool’s Geraldine Fuller said: “We have helped more than 5,000 businesses since first being set up in 2015. Professional, top-quality advice and support is vital for anyone starting out or growing.

“Professional Liverpool represents some of the finest law, accountancy and other professional services firms in the UK who are as passionate about entrepreneurialism as we are.

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“This is an important and exciting partnership agreement which will pave the way for some fantastic initiatives which will be of huge benefit to businesses and advisors across the city region.”

Details of forthcoming events will be unveiled soon and in the meantime firms and individuals wanting to connect with Professional Liverpool and BIPC Liverpool can click here.

Andrew Ruffler, chief executive of Professional Liverpool, added: “BIPC Liverpool has a long and impressive track record providing a unique set of services to businesses. Our two organisations have a shared vision around the creation of a dynamic, thriving environment for entrepreneurs and professional firms to thrive. 

“We are looking forward to co-hosting and co-promoting events over the next year and, in particular, working together on our Region of the Future series.”