THE Virtual Company (TVC) concept designed to support inventors and new companies has won new support from the local business community.

Southampton accountancy firm Burnett Swayne has underlined its support of the Business Link Hampshire initiative with a three- year deal that will add up to a six- figure sum over the next three years.

"This innovative scheme from Business Link Hampshire has provided real support for inventors and start-up projects that otherwise would not receive attention," said Burnett Swayne's senior partner, Ken Ball.

"We are prepared to assist the virtual companies and see synergy between this scheme and business angel funds that support start-up businesses. Strategically, it is a plus for ourselves, in that we will be meeting a continuous flow of young, potential companies that will need help in all areas of their development," he added.

TVC helps inventors to reap the commercial rewards of their ideas by supporting them with a carefully chosen group of experts who provide their services at no charge. The experts' reward comes in the form of virtual equity, which can then be turned into real equity when the business is funded.

In the last year, Business Link Hampshire has assessed more than 100 businesses and selected 16 as suitable for support under this scheme. Many of the projects involve high technology, high growth businesses ranging from fire retardant materials, rapid prototyping systems and numerous medical devices.

The deal will enable Business Link Hampshire to extend the scope of TVC both in terms of the number of applications assessed and in its geographic reach. It will be extended from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight into Dorset - where Business Link Hampshire has won the new Small Business Service contract - and across the South East region.

Said Jacky Stevens; "We are delighted that the scheme has attracted this interest and very valuable support from the private sector. It is further reinforcement of the importance of energising the hidden talent for enterprise within the area, and nurturing the growth of innovative new businesses who traditionally have found it very difficult to realise the commercial potential of their ideas."