Some exciting initiatives are already being progressed...

The LEP’s £2m Clean Growth Accelerator fund is now reviewing applications and is focused on innovation and R&D, and the Humber Freeport which is establishing a Freeport Innovation Liaison Group this spring to support growing innovation clusters linked to energy, logistics, health and seafood.  A round-up of other funding and opportunities in innovation can be found below.

Hydrogen Innovation Midlands-wide Programme

A new programme has been launched to support and foster the creation of a new hydrogen economy in the Midlands. HyDEX brings together the university partners in the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) with multinational businesses, SMEs and other partners to accelerate innovation in hydrogen, build markets and the supply chain, and support the skills needed for the new hydrogen economy to address the challenge of building a thriving new business, industrial and manufacturing sector in hydrogen. The programme will allow businesses to accelerate the development and viability of new hydrogen products and associated intellectual property while supporting the transition from declining industrial sectors and enabling the training and re-skilling required. The £4.99m programme, funded via the RED Fund scheme run by Research England, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will see the ERA university partners making available their £111m worth of hydrogen facilities, large-scale demonstration programmes, and research capabilities to regional businesses. Click here to find out more.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK was established by the Government in 2007 and is sponsored by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). As the UK’s innovation agency, its role is to stimulate technology-enabled innovation in the areas which offer the greatest scope for boosting UK growth and productivity, with a headline figure for investment of more than £1bn between 2011 and 2015. 

Smart Awards

The Smart Scheme Funding for innovation projects is in high growth potential SMEs. The grants allow businesses to assess the commercial viability of a project, from feasibility to prototype. Further details can be found here.

Innovate UK EDGE

Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It complements Innovate UK project funding with intensive, specialist-led support for ambitious businesses. Each high-potential, innovative business benefits from the objective perspective of a dedicated innovation and growth specialist local to them. Our specialist considers a business in the round and, working closely with its leadership, identifies the most productive ways to accelerate its growth. Visit Business Lincolnshire to find out more.

Innovation Vouchers

An Innovation Voucher provides funding so that your business can work with an external expert for the first time, gaining new knowledge to help your business innovate, develop and grow. Further information can be found here.