Innovation Vouchers - Round 12
You can get an Innovation Voucher worth up to £5,000 to pay for an external expert to help your business grow.
You can use this expert to get advice on a novel idea or to use design within your business. You can ask them to help you make the most of intellectual property (IP). You can also use Innovation Vouchers to buy time and support on specialist equipment or facilities.
The Guidance for Applicants document will help you to decide if your project is eligible or you can contact the helpline on 0300 321 4357 or by email: competitions@innovateuk.gov.uk
Coast to Capital Wood Processing Grant Programme
The Coast to Capital Wood Processing Grant Programme is an £800,000 initiative over the next two years to support enterprising timber businesses. The programme will provide capital grants to small and medium sized businesses to part-fund projects that create jobs and strengthen and expand the operation of the wood processing industry in the area.
If your forestry business operates in the Coast to Capital region (West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Reigate and Banstead, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Tandridge and Croydon) you could apply for an individual grant of between £35,000-£150,000.
Eligible expenditure may include machinery and equipment, or the refurbishment and expansion of premises.
Businesses have until 18 May 2015 at 10am to submit an Expression of Interest.
Rural Surrey Leader programme:
Rural Surrey Leader programme is a government grant funding programme aiming to secure £1.8m to help support farmer, foresters and rural businesses in Surrey. Applications can be submitted from May/June 2015. Contact ruralsurreyleader@surreycc.gov.uk to register interest.
Competitions & Awards
£10,000 F Factor competition. Entrants must submit an original idea (in 140 characters or less) for a new technology business, plus a short selfie video about themselves to impress the judges (this can be filmed on a smartphone or via web cam). Entrants need to be 14-25.
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious Awards for business performance. They recognise and reward outstanding achievement by UK companies. Awards can be won under any of the following three categories:
- International Trade - recognising companies that have demonstrated growth in overseas earnings.
- Innovation - recognising companies that have demonstrated commercial success through innovative products or services.
- Sustainable Development - recognising companies that have integrated environmental, social, economic and management aspects of sustainable development into their business.
Any United Kingdom 'Business Unit', whether large, medium or small, which produces goods or provides services can be considered for an Award if it carries out activities which meet the specified criteria.
The Natwest Everywoman awards The awards reward not only businesswomen who have achieved significant success, but also women who have overcome adversities such as financial constraints, social disadvantages or skills gaps.
