Business News - February 2017
These business newsletters are produced by a member of the Growth & Enterprise team at Exeter City Council. They cover different subject areas each month covering local business initiatives, new developments and topical issues.
This month, I have included details of up and coming events, a summary of new funding available for rural businesses (the countryside is not far from Exeter!), news about Exeter-based Simpleware, progress at the Exeter Science Park, an award-winning Best Bar None initiative, a couple of surveys and an invitation. If you fit the criteria, please do take time to complete the surveys by the stated deadline. Thanks.
£12.4 million of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) funding is now available to support projects that increase rural jobs, growth and productivity in the Heart of the South West.
Rural businesses and organisations can now apply to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for grants through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme.
There are three tranches of funds:
- £2,784,740 for ‘Rural Business Development Grants’ – Farm businesses diversifying into non-agricultural activity and new or existing micro and small businesses can apply
- £7,540,000 for ‘Food Processing Grants’ – New or existing food and drink processing businesses (including farm businesses diversifying into food and drink processing) can apply
- £2,088,555 for ‘Rural Tourism Infrastructure’ – Rural businesses, farmers, landowners, charities and public bodies can apply for capital grants from £35,000 for projects that improve the local rural tourism offer by delivering new or enhanced rural tourism assets and infrastructure.
More details: http://bit.ly/2kZPSWX
A real life skull, converted from CT-scan to Stel by Simpleware, then 3D printed
Exeter-based 3D image specialist Simpleware could expand further following its recent acquisition by Synopsys Inc the world’s 15th largest software firm.
Founded in 2000 by Professor Philippe Young at the University of Exeter, Simpleware is a University spin-out that develops industry-leading 3D image and data visualisation software.
The system converts complex data from scans into a format that allows for the creation of 3D models to assess, analyse and test the models for a range of different applications.
In 1996, after having moved to the UK from Canada to take up a research position at Southampton University, Professor Young relocated to Devon to lecture at the University of Exeter. It was here, whilst undertaking a research project, that he developed the Simpleware software and began to grow the company. Now, working within the Silicon Engineering Group at Synopsys, Simpleware employs more than 30 staff, mainly in Exeter, but also overseas in the U.S., India and the Netherlands.
The software enables research and development teams to create real-life models from 3D images to better understand processes and create more efficient products and services. Since its development, Simpleware software has been applied to a range of industries including medical, automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas. The software has also been used to better understand a diverse range of items, from human body models and composite materials to consumer items such as contact lenses, American football helmets and even nappies.
Following its acquisition by Silicon Valley-based company, Synopsys, the Simpleware development team is looking to further expand locally to meet the growing demand.
More information: https://simpleware.com/
 There is plenty of time to get this event in your diary.
The National Apprenticeship Show takes place at Westpoint Exeter on 3 - 4 May 2017 and will bring together employers, colleges and providers with those wanting to find out more about what apprenticeships can offer.
Over 100 exhibitors will be taking part and over 10,000 visitors are expected at the South West’s largest ever celebration of apprenticeships.
The National Apprenticeship Show exists to promote apprenticeships and the message is clear – apprenticeships work for both candidates and employers alike.
For
more information contact Alice Young on 01908 991733 or email alice@nationalapprenticeshipshow.org
Tickets for visitors are free and are available from http://bit.ly/2jvJ7ek
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Copyright Still Imaging
According to Tech South West, more than 10,900 tech companies are already based in the SW employing over 125,000 people.
The Exeter Science Park Centre aims to capitalise on this sector strength in the area. They continue to provide grow-on space for
entrepreneurs, start ups and growing SMES within a range of science and tech
sectors. Tenants there now include RXinfo (software specilists for the NHS Hospital trust pharmacies), SeeData (analytics and software experts) and AI (providers of specialist process engineering packages for the oil and gas industry).
At the Exeter Science Park, newcomers will benefit from the convenient location, beautiful surroundings,
connectivity, local talent and high quality facilities. Having a Russell Group University,
the University of Exeter, and the Met Office close by is also beneficial.
At the top of the aerial image above, you can see the Met Office’s new HPC Complex.
Neighbouring this, there are plans for a specialist facility,
funded by the Heart of South west LEP, to tackle big data analytics & environmental science challenges, with opportunities for companies working in these fields to take up premises or get involved. This building is expected
during 2019, with two further speculative buildings (also funded by the South
West LEP) being delivered to host growing science and technology
business.
You can register interest in any of the facilities or initiative by contacting
the Science Park team at contact@exetersciencepark.co.uk
Plymouth
University is working on a piece of research for the LEP’s Brexit
Resilience and Opportunities Group. As part of this, they have developed a survey
that is specifically directed at the construction sector.
If your business is in the construction business community, please help by completing the survey here.
Answers are being collected until Tuesday, 28 February 2017.
Exeter City
Council, Exeter
College, Exeter
Cultural Partnership (ECP) and Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment
& Skills Board (EHOD ESB) are working together to improve
the learning and career opportunities for the Cultural and Creative sector in
and around Exeter and in particular to connect potential apprentices with
opportunities.
To better understand the needs and expectations of employers,
organisations and students the above group has prepared two short surveys: one aimed at students or those considering apprenticeships and the other aimed at
employers and hosting organisations.
All the
information will be treated in confidence and only the overall picture
discussed. Please encourage interested parties and individuals to
participate. The deadline for the completion and submission of survey
responses is also Tuesday, 28
February 2017.
Please
complete the appropriate survey by clicking
one link from the two options below:
Cultural & Creative Futures Exeter - Employers and
Professionals
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VMG2G7B
Cultural & Creative Futures Exeter - Students
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VFRZJV3
Thank you!
Ben enjoying his new job at Sainsbury's. Image: copyright Pluss
BUSINESS BREAKFAST NETWORKING
Friday 24 March 2017
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Reed Hall, Exeter University EX4 4QR
KEY SPEAKERS
Michael Caines MBE
Karime Hassan
ENTERTAINMENT
Semi-Toned
Are you a local employer struggling to find employees? Come along for an inspiring event and explore ways to add some great workers to your payroll.
A free breakfast is included. Booking essential: geraldine.scott-smith@pluss.org.uk
Exeter's Best Bar None winning team
A scheme aimed at reducing alcohol-related crime and disorder in Exeter has won a national award.
Exeter’s Best Bar None initiative scooped the Most Innovative Scheme at Best Bar None’s Awards ceremony held at the House of Lords on 31 January 2017.
Exeter’s innovation has been to develop a mobile app which allows people to find out how long queues are at night clubs in the city. The aim of Queue Tracker, which is being rolled out this spring, is to prevent issues arising outside clubs with excessive queuing. The app was developed by a student at Exeter University and will be able to be transferable to other towns and cities in the UK involved in the Best Bar None scheme.
Supt Sam De Reya, Chair of Exeter’s Community Safety Partnership, said:
“The new app will give club-goers up-to-date information allowing them to make an informed decision and hopefully spread capacity around, reducing any issues around noise, nuisance and anti-social behaviour.”
Best Bar None (a national accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office) was launched in Exeter in 2016 with the intention of reducing alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour and increasing business through the delivery of education training and the promotion of best practice to broaden the appeal of Exeter and its evening and night time economy.
 The University of Exeter has been conducting research into the impacts of microplastics on the health of marine animals.
Although research is in its infancy, a UK ban on microbeads in cosmetics is to be introduced by the end of 2017. But you can help right now. Use less plastic (check what is in your exfoliation scrubs, toothpaste and shaving gels) and be careful how you dispose of all types of plastic.
More information: http://bit.ly/2cDrqZE & http://bbc.in/2bWVCNc
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