WestFocus helps business start-ups through a mechanism called 'The Virtual Company' (TVC). Operating to a proven formula, TVC organises a team of specialists that mentor lone inventors, champion their cause and help them to gain access to funds and grants available through WestFocus or various external sources.

A virtual company is formed when a team of experts work together with a lone inventor to bring an invention to market. The experts work for no fee, but in exchange for virtual shares in a virtual company, which convert into real shares when funds are secured. In 1997 for example TVC principles were used to support 39 companies. By 1998, £2.8M in SMART awards had been put into these companies. By 2003, 35 companies were still in business whilst just two had ceased trading and two had sold out.