Innovation Network
Our Innovation team work with Greater Manchester based businesses to identify opportunities for growth through our expanding network.
From this extensive network, we help businesses unlock access to collaboration, skills and facilities in research and technology.
To find out more get in touch via this email: bghinnovation@growthco.uk
Here are some opportunities in our network
Modern Worker, Modern Workplace (MWMW)
The Modern Workplace programme places advanced digital skills adoption directly into the hands of employers to learn modern worker productivity, directly helping them to increase professional capabilities and maximise employee value.
MWMW is specifically for Greater Manchester businesses and organisations looking to improve their productivity by demystifying genAI for their operations
- Industrial Sector Cohort – Thursdays:19th September – 24th October)
- Professional Services Cohort – Tuesdays: 24th September – 29th October
- Public Sector Cohort – 1st November – 6th December
Eligibility
- One person – per org
- Attend all in-person sessions –– builds continuity and it is there learning journey (can deputise in an emergency)
- GM based e.g. trading and or business is registered in GM
- 40 Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
Looking to upskill their workforce via our co-funded bootcamps
https://www.hostsalford.com/programmes/gm-mwmw/
Technology Access Programme
The Digital Security by Design (DSbD) Technology Access Programme (TAP) is designed to give UK-based companies access to lowRISC’s Sonata board, Arm’s Morello board, the CHERI stack, and technical support to trial these technologies within their systems, products, and applications.
Through the DSbD Technology Access Programme, companies will be able to experiment with and validate the prototype cyber security technology and feedback their findings to influence its future development before it enters commercialisation.
Deadline 22nd September
https://www.dsbd.tech/get-involved/technology-access-programme/?utm_source=dc_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=monthly_round_up_aug_24#what-are-the-key-dates
Regional Talent Engines, by the Royal Academy of Engineering
Regional Talent Engines, by the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub, is a six-month pre-accelerator programme for early-stage founders in Northern England to transform great ideas into new engineering startups.
They help you to get your business off the ground and ready for further growth, with a £20,000 grant and a unique package of training, mentoring and networking. They are looking for experienced engineers or skilled tech workers who want to set up their own business.
They support:
- New innovations from any area of engineering
- Original ideas for scalable businesses
Deadline: 23rd September
DiSH Accelerator
The DiSH Accelerator is designed to give startups and entrepreneurs everything they need to grow and succeed.
We are looking for startups with a digital / cyber security solution or key capability related to digital / cyber security and offering to take part in a three-month accelerator. Suitable companies are those based in Greater Manchester or those looking to set up operations there and who can attend the programme in person, up to two days per week.
https://labs.uk.barclays/dish/dish/dish-accelerator/
Greater Manchester Electrochemical Hydrogen Cluster
GMEHC aims to speed up the development and adoption of electrochemical hydrogen technology in businesses across Greater Manchester.
Supporting Manchester’s ambitions to be net zero by 2038, GMEHC allows businesses to access the research, the expertise, and the facilities to develop and adopt clean, efficient electrochemical hydrogen technologies.
Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC)
To support the IBIC's goals and our partners in science, research, innovation and teaching institutions and businesses, we have a series of funding opportunities designed to drive regional growth and create a more productive and R&D intensive economy for the north-west.
These schemes will support translating research into real-world applications, upskilling and re-skilling the workforce, and building relationships between business, academia and local government. There are several schemes available to our partners
- Relationship development scheme (up to £10,000)
- Proof of concept scheme (up to £30,000
- Secondment exchange (up to £60,000)
Deadline: 30th September
https://www.mib.manchester.ac.uk/ib-innovation-catalyst/partnership-ke/
Analysis for Innovators
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is continuing to invest in small collaborative innovation projects working with their chosen Analysis for Innovators (A4I) partners, including Royce, to solve complex analysis and measurement challenges faced by companies.
The aim of the competition is to help businesses address their existing analysis and measurement problems best explored by scientists and cutting-edge facilities available in the UK.
The unique aspect of Analysis for Innovators lies in the Brokerage Meetings facilitated between participating companies and the programme partners. These sessions provide an opportunity to engage in discussions with experts who can collaborate on addressing their specific challenges.
HI-ACT Secondments
The HI-ACT flexible funding secondment call is available for HI-ACT researchers or industry partners to co-create research, to support in accelerating research into systems integration of hydrogen for the future net-zero energy transition through co-creation.
Deadline: 13th December
Funding Unlocked
18th September
Get your creative project funded! Meet the funders, ask questions and get top tips on how to win big.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/funding-unlocked-tickets-978282588557?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
AI Applications in your business
23rd September – 9th December
Join our upcoming events to explore how AI can be applied to solve specific problems or improve processes in your manufacturing business.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-applications-in-your-business-tickets-953723752417?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
North West FinTech Forum
1st October
For the FinTech North community, the North West FinTech Forum provides a great platform to understand how Barclays views open innovation and partnerships as a mechanism to drive innovation and problem solving. It’s your chance to ‘Get under the hood’ of Barclays’ technology centre of excellence.
https://www.fintechnorth.uk/events/north-west-fintech-forum-2/?mc_cid=eb665d3319&mc_eid=ef4c0bfcf2
Chemicals Northwest Breakfast networking
25th September
Join Chemicals Northwest for a morning of networking and updates from their network.
https://www.cia.org.uk/events/chemicals-northwest-breakfast-networking-25th-september/528.article
Commercial Considerations for IP - and how to make money from your R&D
25th September
Join Marks & Clerk for a seminar on protecting your AI creations through intellectual property (IP).
FinTech North – Manchester Conference
21st November
Join us to hear all about what’s happening in the Greater Manchester ecosystem, a thriving hub of FinTech innovation that grows each year. You can expect to hear from some of the region’s biggest and brightest names, as well as from startups making their FinTech North debut.
https://www.fintechnorth.uk/events/manchester-conference-2024/
Tech/Digital
Tech Climbers
Tech Climbers is an annual list published by active Profile in partnerships with BusinessCloud and TechBlast to showcase scalable, innovative, product-led technology businesses in growth regions across the UK.
https://www.techclimbers.co.uk/locations/greater-manchester
Gametech365@HOST
Gametech365 @HOST is a unique community, driving growth, collaboration and sustainability across the multi-billion dollar Gametech sector.
This is more than video games and esports, this is a place for any business working with the technology and tools originating in the video games industry.
Gametech will touch every sector, every corner of the world and Gametech365 @HOST places Greater Manchester as its heart.
Businesses can also join the global Gametech365 ecosystem, a supportive place to promote partnerships and opportunities regardless of sector, regardless of location.
https://www.hostsalford.com/programmes/gametech365-host/
Manchester Digital - Startup Activator
The Manchester Digital Startup Activator Programme has been designed to support businesses from their idea stage to early traction.
The Startup Activator will support Manchester's next generation of world-leading startups by providing expert guidance, networks and resources, and access to world-class partners and investors.
https://www.manchesterdigital.com/programmes/startup-activator#sign-up
Life Sciences and Health Innovation
Science Entrepreneur Club
The Science Entrepreneur Club (SEC) is a UK-based non-profit and volunteer-led organisation. Our dedicated team works tirelessly towards our mission of connecting the life science ecosystem through our initiatives, insights and events.
We give entrepreneurs, investors and academics meaningful communities to learn, collaborate, socialise, support each other and showcase innovation. We focus on the life sciences, broadly encompassing AgriTech, ClimateTech, Digital Health, Life Science Tools and Tech, Medical Devices, TechBio and Therapeutics.
The Turing Institute – Data Study Groups
The award-winning Data Study Groups (or DSG) are a flagship Turing programme that looks to present researchers real-world data science and AI challenges to put their skills into practice. It is a sprint research activity aimed at PhD level researchers with industry, government, and third sector as well as applied academic projects. DSG are a safe place for researchers to explore and experiment with data in multidisciplinary teams, engendering creativity to levels uncommon in pure research or consultancy. DSG have a potential to find novel approaches and ways forward.
Cost:
£20k - £50k + VAT (depending on the nature and the size of the business) per challenge.
Timeline:
DSGs are held 3 times a year- usually May, September and December/January
https://www.turing.ac.uk/collaborate-turing/data-study-groups
The Turing Institute – Turing Internship Network
Launched in 2020, the Turing Internship Network is a national engagement scheme between our business partners and doctoral students across the UK and Ireland who are studying any topic with a data science and/or AI focus. The Turing's role is to facilitate and convene, pairing internship projects put forward by industry with talented doctoral students. The business partners host, supervise, and provide a salary for the successful interns.
Cost:
- Intern salary at pro rata of £35k (3-12 months/part time or full time)
- Annual fee (£5k for more than 250 employees organisations, or £1k for smaller organisations)- this fee covers 3 recruitment rounds if you would like to go for more than one occasion.
- Advertisement fee for £1.5k per role
Timeline:
Recruitment takes place 3 times a year, September, January and May
For next steps or more information contact: partnerships@turing.ac.uk