FROM a standing start, York and North Yorkshire's innovative Business Accelerator Network (BAN) has helped 22 high- growth potential businesses in a year, and had discussions with 40 more.

BAN was launched by Business Link York and North Yorkshire to help business people in the region with brilliant ideas "revving up" to hit the accelerator, fuelled by a network of professionals and specialists.

Its first year report shows that it has also gathered 90 members among private and public sector "intermediaries" who are available to help high growth businesses with their expansion plans.

Co-ordinating it all are team leader John Guy and advisers Andrew Marran and Lynne Martin.

Those benefiting from the scheme include two rapidly developing international suppliers of surgical equipment, Cardiologic of Cowesby, near Thirsk, and York Medical Technologies, of Vivars Industrial Estate, Selby.

It has also helped high tech businesses on York Science Park, such as specialist data recording and measurement company Terrington Data Management and the marketing and design firm Morrice Partnership which has developed specialist communications software.

OIt has also helped Bioflame, the Pickering-based biomass burner engineering company which is to build North Yorkshire's first biomass-fuelled power generator.

BAN is supported by Business Link York and North Yorkshire and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and has also received funding from the EU regional development fund.

John Guy, head of both BAN and adviser services at Business Link York and North Yorkshire, said: "A profile is emerging of high potential entrepreneurial people who are coming out of major international corporates with contacts, expertise and very ambitious business ideas and are setting up in business for themselves.

"They are attracted by the York and North Yorkshire life and business environment and they are beginning to make a real impact on the county's economy."

What distinguished the Business Accelerator Network in York and North Yorkshire was the high level of involvement of private sector network members. "They are the pool from which new high growth potential starters can draw not only hard headed business knowledge but also potential investment."

Feedback from the 22 businesses already on the programme was positive, he said. "They view the Business Accelerator Network as a helpful resource giving access to a wide range of support. After 12 months building up the network the results are encouraging".

Budding entrepreneurs can find out more about the Business Accelerator Network and how it could benefit them by calling Business Link York and North Yorkshire on 01904 686000.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, April 07, 2005