Enterprise fund helps the rise of Northplanet

BUSINESS growth . . . Northplanet’s Danny Mills praises the Oldham Enterprise Fund for helping the firm to expand

THE long-term effects of investment from the Oldham Enterprise Fund are being felt by the scores of successful companies which have received financial support — with web, design and branding agency Northplanet Ltd no exception.

Having gained backing from the Oldham Business Leadership Group-supported fund in August, Northplanet has recently moved into new, larger, town-centre premises in Union Street.

Northplanet technical director Danny Mills (22) is thrilled with the direction the company is going in.

He said: “Our new offices are five times the size of the original space that we had.

“It’s a really exciting move.”

Mr Mills continued: “The money we have received has given us a huge cashflow injection and has allowed us to push forward, take on more staff and help us take our business to the next stage.”

Northplanet has also been able to research and develop My Perk Point, a location-based advertising and marketing tool through which high street businesses can reach retail customers.

The smartphone application uses state-of-the-art GPRS technology to allow businesses to advertise offers, events or sales to members of the public at any location through a smartphone notification.

My Perk Point will also work with Google Glass, which Northplanet has become involved with through Google’s investment team.

Mr Mills said: “The whole Oldham Enterprise Fund process was a bit daunting but we had the support of our personal mentor and we’ve been given such valuable advice.

“It has really helped our business for the better.”

l The Oldham Enterprise Fund has been providing grants and low-cost loans to Oldham businesses for the past year after the Stoller Charitable trust donated £1million to support local entrepreneurs.