Information
Innovation Vouchers for Cyber Security
May 13th
Do you have an early stage business idea that needs protecting? Do you need access to particular skills, expertise or technology to secure your ideas and business? Would demonstrating that you are cyber secure add value for your customers and partners? Would being more cyber secure help grow your business?
This Innovation Voucher is available to support SMEs, entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups who see value in protecting and growing their online business by having effective cyber security.
Technology Inspired Innovation
Feb 20th
The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £2m in technical feasibility studies to stimulate innovation across four enabling technology areas. This will help to ensure that small and micro businesses in the UK are well equipped to respond to market opportunities across a range of economic sectors.
They are seeking projects in the following fields: advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and photonics; and information and communications technology.
The competition is open to small and micro companies only, working either singly or in collaboration with one partner. Projects can last up to four months and total project costs must not exceed £33,000.
This is a single-stage competition. It opens on 18 February 2013 and you will need to register before noon on 27 March 2013 if you wish to apply. The deadline for applications is at noon on 3 April 2013. Successful projects must be completed by 30 November 2013. A briefing event for potential applicants will be held in London on 21 February 2013.
Open date: 18 February 2013
Registration close date: 27 March 2013
Close date: 03 April 2013
Email: competitions@tsb.gov.uk
Phone number: 0300 321 4357
Original content: [Here]
Rising Stars praised
Jan 15th
Bosses at a thriving Keighley-based engineering business have praised Rising Stars for enabling them to launch the venture.
The directors of AGR Racking received hours of help from advisers at Rising Stars. Allan Barker, one of the directors, said he would not have been able to get his plans off the ground in the current climate without support from the scheme run by Bradford Council and Bradford Chamber of Commerce.
Local Business Accelerators
Nov 9th
One week remains to submit your applications to LBA (Local Business Accelerators) in order to win a year of mentoring from Dragons Den’s Deborah Meaden, as well as a free ad campaign in your local newspaper, amongst other prizes.
To find out more and to apply, please click here.
Bradford City Centre Growth Zone
Nov 9th
Bradford Council in conjunction with the Government has developed a new scheme to encourage investment and job creation in Bradford city centre.
It is launching a 170ha City Centre Growth Zone, covering Bradford city centre including Foster Square Station, the University and College learning quarter and Little Germany.
The Growth Zone has been designed to enhance market confidence, drive up footfall and support investment in the centre.
Aimed at encouraging a range of developments, new business start-ups, business expansion and commercial opportunities.the growth zone presents an attractive business and investment proposition.
Read more here.
Manufacturing Matters: Made in Yorkshire
Sep 13th
Simon Manning, head of manufacturing at Deloitte in Yorkshire, says the region can be proud of its manufacturing industry but policy makers must create the right conditions to help it thrive.
The announcement that the UK had recorded its biggest trade deficit since modern records began seems, at first glance, like a body blow for hopes of a manufacturing-focussed, export-led recovery for the UK economy.
Weak global demand, due in part to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the eurozone, means the short term picture for Yorkshire’s manufacturing industry remains challenging.
But away from the headlines, Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector has transformed itself into a lean, hi-tech, globally competitive industry that will prosper as demand recovers. Yorkshire’s manufacturers are already looking overseas. More than 70 per cent of British manufacturing output is now exported, with Germany a key market.
Read more here.
Funding is available to help kick start academic-industry collaborations
Sep 12th
Call 2 is now open and closes on 3rd November 2012
METRC Innovation Awards will support new research projects between the Universities of Bradford, Durham, Newcastle and Sheffield, and companies in the fields of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering.
Funding is available in £5,000 pots (multiples may be awarded to individual projects if a strong case is made), which must be matched by the collaborating company. Research is to be industrially relevant, with a plan for future collaboration. It is anticipated that these will probably be proof-of-concept type projects, and might be used to pay for post-doctoral time, consumables, PI time, etc. For specifics, please see funding guidelines online.
Any company is able to apply but preference will be given to SMEs.
Funding guidelines and a simple, 3-page application form are available on the METRC website. For any enquiry, help, advice on applying or general information please contact them here.
Innovation voucher scheme to help firms develop ideas
Sep 11th
A new national Innovation Voucher scheme has been launched, aimed at encouraging the development of ideas within smaller businesses operating in the agri-food, built environment and space sectors. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is to launch the scheme, which is available to start up, micro and small or medium-sized businesses in the UK, in late September. Successful applicants will be given vouchers up to the value of £5,000, or up to £8,000 for space sector projects, to pay for expert help to develop and improve their ideas.
Read more on this scheme at http://www.innovateuk.org/content/news/innovation-vouchers-coming-soon.ashx
