A FREE two-day master class which promises to help businesses grow and meet their commercial objectives is being offered to businesses in October.

The Business & IP Centre Newcastle’s Innovation Elevator programme is aimed at start-ups and SMEs.

Comprising six expert sessions, the event focuses upon innovation as a tool for growth. Networking lunches will be incorporated into each day of the programme and businesses from across the North- East are invited to participate.

Commencing from 9am each day, the master classes address a wide spectrum of topics from finance and intellectual property to marketing and sales.

This is the third time this year Innovation Elevator will run and due to popular demand, the programme has a new two-day format, allowing it to be delivered from locations across the region.

Experts from Business & IP Centre Newcastle, which is a partnership made up of Newcastle City Council, Newcastle Science City, Northumbria University and the British Library, with support from the European Regional Development Fund, are expecting places to be snapped up.

Luke Burton manager of the Business & IP Centre Newcastle, said: “Until now, Innovation Elevator has run over eight weeks from our offices at Newcastle City library. Following attendee feedback, we have introduced the two-day master class which is more flexible for delegates who want to attend but are based south of Newcastle.

“For any new businesses starting out or SMEs looking to grow, this is an excellent free resource to tap into. It offers lots of hands-on, practical advice that can be implemented into any business plan and it will help attendees be better equipped to commercially and creatively drive their business.”

It will run on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October at Sunderland Software Centre.

For information email bipcnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk.