New website for C&W's business community launched

A new business website aimed at SMEs has been launched to provide companies with high-profile supply chain opportunities, news and events happening in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub has joined the Finditin regional network which has over 80,000 registered users and has advertised over £50 billion worth of opportunities so far in 2020.

The new FinditinCW involves the Growth Hub, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the local authorities to give businesses access to private and public sector contracts and link-up buyers with suppliers across a variety of sectors.

The user-friendly website at www.finditincw.co.uk will be a one-stop shop for all contracts and opportunities for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and HS2 as well as tender and contract alerts for high-profile projects in the area.

There will also be an internal Quick Quote system to invite potential suppliers to quote for goods and services, information about news and events with the opportunity for businesses to promote their own events and details about business support from the CWLEP Growth Hub and the Chamber of Commerce.

Craig Humphrey, the managing director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said having access to supply chain opportunities would be vital in helping the recovery of SMEs following the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “FinditinCW is dedicated to connecting businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire with key buyers and supply chain opportunities.

“With Coventry winning the title of UK City of Culture for 2021 and thousands of supply chain opportunities set to unfold from Birmingham 2022 and HS2, we wanted to simplify the process for businesses – particularly for SMEs.

“We have joined forces with our new partner IceBlue who launched this service in 2007 and its success has grown year-on-year with similar platforms in the Black Country, Birmingham and Worcestershire.

“The aim is for this website to become central to the business community in Coventry and Warwickshire to become the go-to place to find out about events and the opportunities and support that are available.

“We have a fantastic programme of events planned with buyers involved in infrastructure and regeneration projects once the Covid-19 lockdown is over.”

Craig said FinditinCW is replacing its CW Connect website and there are four levels of membership.

He said: “There will be no charge for accessing the website and looking at the opportunities, and Chamber members will receive a certain level of membership for free as part of their Chamber package.

“In time, we will be launching additional services which will fall under the membership scheme including Meet the Buyer events for significant contracts, a Peer-to-Peer network with webinars and event listings.

“Despite all the uncertainty at the moment because of the Coronavirus, we want this to appeal to the private and public sector and lead to businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire securing exciting high-profile business opportunities.”

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a great opportunity for companies across the region to be kept right up to date with contract opportunities – both large and small – to help grow their businesses.

“It’s vitally important that, where possible, we all tap into the fantastic suppliers we have here in Coventry and Warwickshire and this platform will help increase the amount of trade we all do locally.

“That is why we have ensured that our members get access to the platform as part of their Chamber membership as part of the package we offer to them.

“We look forward to working with the Growth Hub and the LEP in making it a success for businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.”