Enterprise hub aims to create 260 new jobs
WREXHAM’S first enterprise hub, which aims to support 100 start-up firms and create 260 new jobs in the first two years, has been launched.
The co-working Wrexham Enterprise Hub, on Queen’s Square, has been officially opened by Economy Secretary Ken Skates.
In its two-year pilot, the hub, a Business Wales project, will focus on securing at least £1m of private investment for its members and building a community of entrepreneurs.
The hub is now inviting applications for one of its 20 full-time funded spaces. Successful applicants will receive everything they need to grow and launch, including one-to-one mentoring support and a full-time desk for 12 months.
Mr Skates said: “I am proud that the Welsh Government has invested £1m in the establishment of Wrexham’s first Enterprise Hub, which will provide wrap-around business support to start-ups and local entrepreneurs and help drive their ideas, ambitions and success.
“This kind of local business support which drives innovation and entrepreneurship really can be economically transformational and I am pleased to have been able to allocate £5m for the establishment of four additional business hubs in regions across Wales. Those hubs will very much follow the model and learn from the experiences of this first hub in Wrexham.”
The hub will be delivered by Town Square Spaces.
Gareth Jones, founder of Town Square Spaces, said: “We’re really excited to be finally launching the hub after a lot of hard work from so many different people. This whole process officially started a year ago, but the idea of bringing something like this to Wrexham was talked about long before then. We’ve met some incredibly passionate people in developing the plan for the hub, and I know that with their support we will achieve our aims and more.
“Wrexham is full of creative and driven people, and the hub will be a place that provides the right support and conditions to help their companies and ideas grow. From individual passion projects and freelancers looking for a home to potential industry disruptors – we’re proud to say there’s ‘a space for you’ in Wrexham.”
Business Wales, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, supports the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises across the region by offering access to information, guidance and business support.