Lancashire innovation consultancy increases global business after securing Home Office contract

A Lancashire company is experiencing sustained growth across the UK and internationally after securing a Government contract to support a revised scheme to help international entrepreneurs move to the UK.

Preston-based Geminus Innovation has been selected as one of three endorsing bodies that can approve innovator visas on behalf of the Home Office, as part of its newly revised scheme to help international entrepreneurs move to the UK. As part of its growth, the business is now employing six members of staff as well as seven associates across the UK.

The company was formed as Geminus Training by Richard Harrison who was then joined by co-founder Nick Roach. The pair received mentoring support in 2018 through Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub’s Growth Mentoring programme. The support helped Richard and Nick reshape their digital marketing strategy and the online direction of their business. The business was rebranded Geminus Innovation, as part of its next strategic chapter and the company tendered for the revised Government contract in 2022.

Richard said: “Lancashire has a wealth of great people that can help you to develop and grow your business. Andrew Leeming and the team from Boost have a huge network of contacts that they can readily tap into to support you. “We have also had the pleasure of working with other support professionals including Amin Vepari who manages LCC’s Two Zero programme, Andy Henderson from Forward Thinking and Richard Few from Sales Geek, just to name a few.” The concessionary contract will see Geminus Innovation deliver the provision of Migration Business Endorsing Body (MBEB) Services for the Home Office’s scheme which is due to launch in Spring 2023.

Geminus Innovation’s ongoing role as part of new scheme will be to advise potential applicants, nurture them through the application process then support successful applicants through the duration of their visa period and help them to secure permanent residential status in the UK. Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership). It is supported by funding from Lancashire County Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. As a funded business support service, Boost helps Lancashire business owners and leaders navigate the local, regional and national public and private sector business support landscape, to find the right support for their business.

Boost also delivers a number of funded programmes for start-up, established and fast-growing businesses. The contracts with the Home Office form over 95% of Geminus Innovation’s business activities. The business also now manages one of the UK’s largest communities of international entrepreneurs. Richard said:

“Through our services we help global entrepreneurs develop successful businesses within the UK. Our programme is customised for each client, providing the specific support they need to help their project thrive. Richard added: “For each overseas innovator that sets up a business in the UK through our support, they can potentially add 3-5 employees to their business and aim to achieve at least £500,000 annual turnover. Our current community members aim to create 1,200 jobs and add £150m to the UK economy each year.

This will increase substantially, as our community grows from 300 members today, to around 1,000 in the next 18 months.” “We also plan to grow our service to help our entrepreneurs through investment management, good business planning and growth through innovation.”

Boost is helping Lancashire businesses. We have a range of funded support programmes and a team of business advisers you can talk to. To speak to someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.