The renowned Worksop business, who provide technology to detect drones and to protect sensitive facilities, such as prisons and airports, from potential harmful use of commercial drones, were seeking support to invest in innovative technology and to develop their business growth strategy.
The business was first made aware of the Growth Hub at an event in Bassetlaw in 2017 when they were in their start-up phase. Searching for expert support and input to help shape the strategy for the business was crucial.
The Growth Hub appointed a Business Growth Specialist to support the development of the business’s strategy. They explored various areas, from market strategy, to pricing and branding. They also helped break these down and undertook several workshops to drill down into the areas using a few different techniques.
Drone Defences Head of Operations and Revenue states “Having someone to challenge and sense check the strategy helped refine and define the direction of our businesses journey. Real focus of our goals was generated because of this exercise”.
The intensive one to one support was offered through the Growth Hub’s Enhancement Project, which offers a range of support aimed at high growth companies and is financed by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
“The support from the specialist helped shape the business and provide focus which has led to the business growing from a home office environment to one where we have 3 members of staff, and offices at the Innovation Centre, and soon to be moving again in April to our new home at Gamston Airport, which will provide a permanent base and live demonstration area for our equipment.”
The business also received a £4000 grant to commission specialist research in order to strengthen their position in the market place.
“The financial support provided us with a product development pathway that will enable us to develop new products for market.
“Because of the support from the Growth Hub we have created a head of technology role and an additional a software development role to support the development of the product. This will see us secure capability that will enable the business to secure more opportunities in the market, especially since the Gatwick and Heathrow experiences in the UK”
The support from the Growth Hub has also helped the business develop their internal systems and operations, refining how their team work.
“We found the Growth Hub very professional and the Business Growth Specialist was very experienced and spent time getting to understand the business.
“The support was excellent and was a crucial element in helping to develop thinking in several areas, and from that implement ways of working that really added to the performance of the business.”
Any business searching for support to develop their business should contact our friendly Gateway Team on 03330 00 00 39 or growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk to be sign posted to the relevant support available.
The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project is receiving up to £2.7m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding