Wednesday, August 8, 2012

News: Rotherham business centres receive international honour

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Rotherham Investment and Development Office's (RiDO) business centres are celebrating the renewal of their NBIA Soft Landings International Incubator designation as the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) has again awarded the coveted title to the borough's business centres.

The NBIA is the world's leading organisation advancing business incubation and entrepreneur support, and through its Soft Landings programme, NBIA recognises incubators that are especially capable in helping overseas companies enter the incubator's domestic market.

RiDO's business centres are one of just 25 business incubation programmes from around the world that have earned the designation since NBIA began the program in 2005.

The business centres of RiDO, the regeneration arm of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, were selected for the programme because of the range of business services provided for overseas firms and its proven track record of successfully helping firms enter the British market.

Randy Morris, director of member services at NBIA, said: "The Soft Landings designation recognises an incubator's focus on welcoming overseas firms into its domestic market with translation services, help cutting through governmental red tape, access to capital, domestic market research and other programmes."

Amanda Parris, centre manager for the RiDO business centres added: "It's not easy to gain or retain NBIA accreditation, as a panel of experienced incubator managers evaluate all Soft Landings applications. From the feedback we've received, the judges were impressed with the unique support our centres provide to overseas firms.

"The RiDO Business Centres supplement our standard incubation services with assistance tailored specifically to overseas firms, including market research within the U.K. and linkages to European and other markets through the UKTI Consulate network."
RiDO has built on the success of their business incubation programme that has supported hundreds of new enterprises and still boasts three-year survival rates well above the national average.

With investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), RiDO is supporting inward investment from overseas as well as helping Rotherham companies to explore potential international trade opportunities.

They provide an advice and mentoring service in all areas relating to exporting and international trade including; researching markets aboard to identify potential opportunities; sourcing potential suppliers, partners and customers; helping to understand the business culture in target markets; identifying appropriate skills base within target markets; linking to UKTI and other outward bound international support services; and, supporting existing international business plans.

Rotherham Investment and Development Office

Images: RiDO

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