Enterprise Works launches Founder Advisory Board to support business to scale-up

The Board has been established to offer free, practical, experience-based guidance to businesses encountering common scale-up barriers such as securing investment, refining operational strategies, or expanding into new markets. Its members are experienced entrepreneurs and senior leaders from across the local and University alumni community who have successfully started, scaled, and exited businesses across a range of sectors.

Companies can submit specific challenges they are facing, which are then reviewed and matched with Board members whose expertise aligns with the issue. Selected Board members will offer targeted, one-to-one advice, which may include strategic recommendations, operational guidance, or introductions to relevant networks or investors. 

Phil Pinder, Director of The Potions Cauldron Group said "Meeting with Enterprise Works' Founder Advisory Board fundamentally changed the way we approached our growth strategy. We had been focused on finding an investor, but through their advice, we realised that better banking and borrowing facilities might be a more effective route for us. It saved us time and helped us prepare properly for conversations with our finance provider. The Founder Advisory Board gave us targeted, real-world insight that directly addressed one of our biggest scale-up challenges — how to fund our next stage of growth in the right way."

Sam Gardner, Director of Enterprise Works, said “The Founder Advisory Board provides a practical support route for ambitious businesses that are navigating the complexities of high growth. By connecting them with experienced founders, we’re offering focused, peer-led insight to help address real business challenges.”

Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement, said “The University of York is committed to fostering innovation and driving inclusive economic growth. The Founder Advisory Board is a practical example of how we work in partnership with the business community to strengthen the region’s scale-up ecosystem. By connecting ambitious companies with experienced entrepreneurs, we’re helping to unlock growth, build resilience, and create long-term impact for the regional economy.”

For more information or to submit a business challenge click here.