35 business leaders gathered at a very sunny Warwickshire Golf Club on 19 September for a Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Network event on renewable energy. Organisations received details on ERDF funding opportunities available to them in the local area and how to apply for a free energy audit to enable their organisations to become more energy efficient.  

There were presentations from Angus Rose, Director at Ineco Energy who provided details on the opportunities available for Solar PV for business; Nitin Thakrar, Director of ELearning Studios, reflected on the funding he has received for his organisation and Bean Beanland, Chair of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association provided an overview of on the benefits available with ground source heat pumps, Read more...

Now in its third year, the annual Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival includes a wide-ranging programme of business events hosted by local organisations from across the region. The Green Business Programme alongside its Business Support and Innovation teams, CW Growth Hub, CW Chamber and Warwickshire County Council will be hosting an event on 14 November at FANUC UK, which will be providing advice on funding opportunities.

The Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street CBE will be the guest speaker and he will provide an update on the growth and investment opportunities in our local economy.  There will also be updates from Coventry City Council, CW Growth Hub, CW Chamber and local businesses who have already benefited from funding for their organisations.  

Find out more and register now...

Coventry, as other cities, recognises the dual challenges of urgently addressing local atmospheric pollution and global warming from using fossil fuels.  This event will share details of the exciting progress that is being made and also demonstrate how individuals and organisations can take action to accelerate the move to a low carbon 2030.  Speakers include Cllr Jim O'Boyle Cabinet Member Jobs & Regeneration at Coventry City Council.

Find out more and register your free place

Research and Development Clusters

Delivered by Coventry University Enterprises and academics from Coventry University Centre for the Built and Natural Environment, the Research Cluster aims to bring together and support SME’s interested in developing innovative low carbon initiatives.

• Support SMEs to deliver energy efficiency and low carbon initiatives
• Support SMEs to bring to market innovative products, processes or services
• Support collaboration between SMEs, supply chain and other key stakeholders

The clusters will conduct research and build collaborative networks of SMEs, supply chain and other sector stakeholders including housing associations. This will support SMEs to deliver innovative and energy efficient techniques across selected focus areas.

The clusters will use the expertise of CU’s Centre for Built & Natural Environment to drive collaborative research projects with SMEs in the low carbon sector.  Find out more...

The Aston Centre for Growth are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth’s upcoming November cohort.  The premier business growth programme of the Midlands is looking for SME leaders who are ready to take their business to new heights! Don’t miss your opportunity to benefit from the unique tools and knowledge provided by experts in SME leadership and management, as well as network with like-minded ambitious early-stage business leaders.

The core of the fully-funded programme delivered across a six-month period includes:

• Practical workshops which cover topics relevant to leaders of growing SMEs
• One-to-one mentoring to tackle business issues and support with building a        targeted growth strategy
• Networking with other early-stage business owners

Email centreforgrowth@aston.ac.uk to refer a business or receive an application form. Interested businesses will receive a complete breakdown of workshop details and requirements via email.  Find out more...