South East firms get innovation help
1 min read
The Innovation Advisory Service, a programme designed to help manufacturing firms in the South East gain access to resources and funding for innovation, was officially launched earlier this month (April).
Launched by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) with £2.5 million funding, the Service (www.iasse.co.uk) aims to help technology-based companies identify and exploit major growth opportunities and strengthen their own innovation and R&D capability. Support would include helping firms apply for funding, secure new business opportunities, investigate new technologies and access the latest research.
Eligible firms should ideally have 30 or more employees in order to benefit fully from this service, which includes 10 days of free and focused advice from innovation advisors.
The Service is managed by Oxford Innovation, who will deliver it in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory, CLIK, the technology transfer arm of the CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and TTI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco plc.
In addition to access to experts, firms will be able to use a series of Innovation Toolkits including technology assessment, marketing of innovation, process management, corporate venturing and project management. The Service also intends to make it easier for the transfer of knowledge between the academic and business communities at both regional and national level.
