Tues 21 & Wed 22 Sept, 09:00 – 16:30
Develop an innovative business idea and learn how to get funding for your project. This 2 day in-person course (based in Swindon, venue tbc) offered by the Innovation 4 Growth programme (I4G) is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is free to SMEs, start-ups or small charities in the Swindon & Wiltshire region.
This course is aimed at ambitious businesses working on an innovation project. We are looking for SMEs that want to develop their innovative ideas, cultivate their narrative around the project and are working towards further funding and investment.
We are delivering this course while our Innovation 4 Growth grant funding is available and hope that some participants will use the workshop to create, or further progress their project idea to then successfully apply for an I4G grant.
Places are limited to 20 SMEs, and we welcome prestart as well as established businesses, the content will be relevant to all sizes of SME.
Register to book your place now.
Introduction
As markets and conditions recover, investing in innovation is key to helping businesses future proof, grow their markets and adapt to opportunities. This intensive 2-day workshop is for SMEs that are responding to new opportunities and looking to disrupt the market through innovation.
You may already have a great idea that needs developing or you are looking for some headspace to figure it out. This comprehensive course helps you to define your proposition in terms of innovation; familiarise you with the funding landscape, develop your pitch and hone your bid writing skills.
What will you get from this course?
It is a practical workshop with plenty of discussion and interaction, with time allowed to develop your project as we work through each section.
This course is available to SMEs working towards an innovation project.
We will:
- Introduce you to the fundamentals of bringing innovation into your business.
- Give you essential innovation tools to help you generate creative ideas, as well as evaluate and test them for your business.
- Improve your understanding of how innovation projects can be funded and how to write winning bids.
- Provide you with the confidence, practical skills and techniques to pitch your idea.
- Support your application for our Innovation 4 Growth grant fund and create a foundation for future applications.
As places are limited, we request that you commit to the full two-day programme. We expect participants to work in small collaborative groups and engage in peer-to-peer learning.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to be relevant for SMEs or small charities that are developing innovative ideas and wish to turn these ideas into successful new products or services. We will help you to articulate your innovation projects and take them to the next stage.
This in-person course is funded by the ERDF and is free to SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire region. We have limited spaces as the sessions are designed to be interactive. Apply here stating your business, area of interest and why you should be selected for the programme.
Timings
Doors open at 9:00 for coffee and networking. Lunch will be provided at 12:30pm-13:30pm.
Tuesday 21 Sept – Day 1 :
- 9:30 – 10:30: Intrapreneurship – creating an intrapreneurial mindset for growth with Shane Moore
- 10:30 – 14:30 (including an hour break for lunch): Innovation and Ideation: how to solve your challenges with Aimee Skinner
- 14:30 – 16:30: The Innovation Narrative: Pitching your idea with Lucy Paine
Wednesday 22 Sept – Day 2:
- 9:30 – 12:30: Introduction to Funding & Investment with Mark Corderoy
- 13:30 – 16:30: How to write an innovation funding bid with Alan Gould
Terms
Available for SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Region.
Places are limited to 20 SMEs. Get in touch if you have any questions innovation4growth@uwe.ac.uk.
Click here to register your interest in this workshop.
Notes:
This event is delivered by the Innovation 4 Growth programme and funded by the ERDF for the benefit of SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire Region. Your attendance at this event will count towards State Aid and by participating you are agreeing to ERDF business support and the accompanying documentation.
European Regional Development Fund:
The project will receive funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.
Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit here.