Opportunities and Events for businesses
Please find below a selection of opportunities and events that you may be interested in, courtesy of our partners Innovation Alliance:
OPPORTUNITIES:
Production Innovation for Immersive Content
UK Businesses can apply for a share of up to £8 million for research and development projects to create faster, more efficient immersive content. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
Funded by Innovate UK as part of UK Research and Innovation
Deadline: 28th November 2018
Read more here
SME Support to Evaluate Innovative Medical Technologies: Round 3
SMEs can apply for a share of £1.5 million to support the evaluation of innovative medical devices, diagnostics and regulated digital health products
The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) will work with Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, to invest up to £1.5 million in innovation projects. These will be to support developers of innovative medical devices, diagnostics and regulated digital technology to evaluate their product in a real world clinical setting
Opens: 26th November
Deadline: 30th January 2019
Read more here
Regional Angel Investment Accelerator Pilot: Finding Group Partners
This competition aims to select 2 suitable organisations to partner with Innovate UK, aiming to support innovation in UK SMEs and increase the capacity of regional angel investor networks to invest in innovative SMEs.
The selected angel investor partners (AIPS) will distribute grant funding for innovate research and development (R&D) projects to SMEs. This will be alongside investment from angels and other similar early stage investors.
Deadline: 2nd January 2019
Read more here
EVENTS
Immersive and Digital Business Meet Up
Innovation Birmingham Network are hosting an informal information and networking event in iCentrum, perfect for innovators working with or utilising Immersive and/or Digital technologies that are looking for support to help grow their business.
The session is designed up support immersive and digital companies and to teach more about the Innovate UK family including: Immerse UK, Digital Catapult and the Knowledge Transfer Network as well as other organisations that have opportunities and support for UK based businesses across all sectors
When? 29th November 9.30am – 1.30pm
Where? iCentrum, Innovation Birmingham Campus, 6 Holt Street, Birmingham B7 4BP
Read more here
Small Business Saturday Drop-in Clinic
Pop in for a coffee and to hear about support available for your business or business idea through the Black Country Growth Hub
Short presentation about the various types of support available, such as finance, training, innovation and more.
When? 1st December, 9am-11am
Where? Why Not Coffee, Bearwood Road, Smethwick, B66 4BW
Read more here
The Future is Digital, The Future is 5G
Workshop organised by the Black Country Growth Hub
Black Country will be the first to experience ultra-reliable 5G internet access, but what does that mean for your business?
When? 4th December, 8am – 12pm
Where? University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Glaisher Drive Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 9RT
Read more here
Doing Business in Saxony, Germany
On Friday 30th November an event on Doing Business with Saxony, Germany is being held at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
The link to register is here.
NEWS
HS2 Contractor Search Launched
The Search has begun for the team to construct the new HS2 Curzon Street Station in Birmingham
The line is expected to open in the city in 2026 and create in the region of 36,000 jobs and support the development of 4,000 homes
“We’re looking for the best the construction industry has to offer. Companies that share our commitment to safety, good design, environmental protection and value for money. Together we will deliver an iconic new gateway to Birmingham – a building the city, the wider region and the travelling public can be proud to call their own.” - HS2 Chief Executive Mark Thurston
Read more here
Manufacturing Centre Eyeing NASA Partnership
A new partnership is being developed with NASA by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
US space scientists are look to use MTC-developed technology in future space missions
The link-comes after work done by the MTC for the European Space Agency (SCA)
“Our team was extremely impressed with the capabilities and staff at the MTC. Working with the ESA we anticipate utilising the MTC and the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing as part of our future collaborative efforts.” – NASA technologist Rick Russell
Read more here
RESOURCES
Unlocking Construction’s Digital Future: A skills Plan for Industry
Digital technology has the potential to transform construction - but only if the sector is equipped with the right skills and knowledge
This report shows how modern technologies can raise productivity, increase efficiency and help attract people to the sector. Without widespread digital adoption, construction risks being marginalised and losing a generation of new talent to other sectors
Read more here
JUST FOR FUN
Send us your Strapline!
Here at Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands we have been having fun with our new campaign, using engaging strap-lines to encourage involvement in our three Working Groups
We want YOU to get involved by sending us your innovative strap-line, either related to the Smart City Alliance, Innovative Health, Innovative Low Carbon or our wider mission
Rhymes welcome, puns encouraged!