A BUSINESS partnership is set to benefit from a £200,000 pot of money set aside by Cheshire East Council.

The new partnership was formed after Cheshire East Council established its own arms length firm Skills and Growth Company and tied up with Creative England to launch a digital growth programme.

The authority says it is part of its efforts to support the digital sector and to stimulate growth by providing small and medium sized firms with funding, opportunities and specialist support within Cheshire East.

The programme is specifically targeted at companies operating in the digital sector – such as digital media, web design and software development which includes games and app development, e-commerce and software solutions.

Firms applying for cash will have to be able to demonstrate a clear market opportunity and the ability to generate additional investment as well as growth in the form of job creation and/or safeguarding. Funding will be available as equity investments, loans and revenue-sharing arrangements.

Cllr Paul Bates, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “We are looking to support a small number of businesses with real growth potential and help them with a programme of intensive support and funding.

“The digital sector in Cheshire East is vibrant and growing and we are determined to help ensure this growth in sustained and that we have a thriving and world-class digital sector in Cheshire East.”

The launch of the fund was welcomed by Denise Proctor, chairman of (Weave) an additional taskforce set up to guide and support the council's work to support the creative and digital sector.

"The launch of this programme will bring a much-needed boost to the digital sector and support some of our brightest minds to expand their businesses and grasp opportunities in this expanding field," Denise said.

For more information on the digital growth fund visit: skillsandgrowth.co.uk/digitalgrowthfund