Eight companies, including Liverpool firms Little World Gifts and Mando Group, were selected to win a tailored business review focusing on areas including mentoring and pitching.
The intensive 18-week scheme will feature a mixture of bespoke one-to-one mentoring, business coaching, workshops and networking events. The first business review session took place this week.
In February the Fast Company firms will be given the opportunity to pitch for funding to a group of venture capitalists, banks and other potential investors.
Paul Taylor, director of business delivery at NWVM, said: "Our aim is to connect the community of creative businesses with the world of finance, giving those companies with the potential to grow the tools to go out and access the funding they need.
"Fast Company will help these businesses to understand how investment works and what they need to think about and do to best position themselves to secure that investment. It will cover everything from financial and business terminology through to dealing with investors, and the preparation of their exit strategy. We have devised a programme tailored to meet specific issues in this sector and have brought together an experienced team to deliver it.
"This programme is a pilot and if successful, we hope to expand it in the future."
NWVM developed Fast Company alongside coaching consultancy The Green Field and business advisory firm Pembridge Partners.