The Great Britain Sail Grand Prix is returning to Plymouth this weekend (July 30-31).
In addition to the thrills of the on-sea action, SailGP will funnel millions of pounds into the local economy – whilst attracting global attention and supplying the cobbles with a boost to tourism. In 2021, we saw hundreds of children learn to sail for the first time, and SailGP boosted the local economy by £7 million.
Building its momentum to engage 10,000 young people by 2025, SailGP Inspire continues its mission to increase diversity and accessibility within the sport of sailing. SailGP will be activating its three program pathways at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth, 30 to 31 July with a focus on Learning, Careers and Racing, with the Legacy programme developing young people post-SailGP.
This weekend Plymouth will be put on the global stage as the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix is broadcast on Sky Sports - offering a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City and home to the UK’s first National Marine Park as a great place to live, work, study and play.
Tickets for the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, taking place this weekend are on sale and can be purchased at SailGP.com/GreatBritain.
Read the latest SailGP news, and what the huge event is bringing to city and plenty more in the link below.
Advertise your business for free and encourage others throughout the PL Postcodes in Devon and Cornwall to use your services! Simply register to be a part of the Plymouth Supplier Directory (PSD) today.
If your business is registered in a PL Postcode, all it takes is 5 minutes to upload your company logo, services and details: https://clickquick.uk/PSD
It is free of charge to register and by signing up you will:
- Be part of the database of local businesses for you to sell to and buy from
- Have a public profile page where you can advertise your skills, services and expertise to buyers
- Be able to identify other local suppliers in your industry to make connections, form support networks and explore partnerships opportunities
- Find out the latest local Procurement news
- Support PL Postcode businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic
- Generate social, economic and environmental benefits throughout your PL communities
Get a £1000 free grant (when you invest £1,515 in your business development).
Click here to download the PDF for more details
Whether you choose a consultant to help you in sales & marketing, social media support & training, website development, HR & recruitment, accountancy, business plan.....or someone you identify to help you develop your business another way, get in touch with Sandy Gianni, Business Relationship Manager at Plymouth City Council: T: 01752 304373 M: 07790 880455 E: Sandy.Gianni@plymouth.gov.uk
Applications for £1,000 free grants are open to SME businesses throughout Plymouth & Devon... YES in all DEVON TOO!
Applications must be submitted by October 2022 for delivery before the end of this year.
Plymouth based companies are attracting millions of pounds of foreign investment creating and securing quality jobs, with more investments on the horizon.
Latest figures sent to the Department for International Trade show the city manufacturing sector, in particular, have been quietly turning the wheels of investment, both in people, skills and technology over the last three years – despite the pandemic and its aftershock on the global economy.
Statistics collated by the Council’s Economic Development team show that across the last three years £231,547,000 worth of foreign investment – mainly from American parent companies – came to city businesses.
All together the investment helped secure 449 new jobs and safeguarded a further 379.
The pipeline for next year looks promising with 16 projects worth £27,300,000 and the creation of 1,022 jobs on the cards. And that figure does not include project investments and job generation for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, which is expected to create 1,000 new jobs in the first two years and attract £100 million investment.
Council leader Richard Bingley visited MSubs to congratulate director Brett Phaneuf on his phenomenal achievement of creating the first autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic.
The Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS400) was the world's first full-sized, fully autonomous, unmanned ship to cross the ocean to a rapturous reception in the States.
The revolutionary vessel set sail from Plymouth UK at the end of April and arrived at Plymouth Massachusetts – via a pit stop in Halifax in Nova Scotia – earlier this month.
The voyage attracted massive media attention around the world with the project’s media partner IBM saying it was their most successful project, reaching nearly two billion people.
We are looking for an Economic Development Manager to lead our support to our key businesses and main economic sectors, ultimately with a view to retain/increase inward investment, grow high value jobs/businesses in Plymouth and delivering projects which drive good economic growth.
This is a varied and demanding role where no two days will be the same and you will be liaising with senior stakeholders across the city and further afield.
It is an ideal opportunity to grow your understanding of the exciting economic development taking place currently and be at the heart of transformational projects and businesses which are creating the next generation of high value sustainable jobs.
Closing date: Tuesday 16 August 2022
Plymouth has been recognised as a national and international hub for immersive technology, with the potential to lead business transformation and high-growth jobs.
One of the key figures in the field of virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies, Asha Easton, Immersive UK Lead KTN, has praised the city’s sector and its potential following a recent Immersive Futures event, hosted by Plymouth Culture and produced by Creative UK.
Immersive technology is becoming increasingly common, from headsets for gaming to QR codes that show film content on information panels and training staff in technical skills.
The event at the Market Hall in Devonport saw creatives, technologists, investors, funders, educators and businesses come together to discuss the global growth in the sector and how Plymouth is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this to create economic and social benefit locally.
An innovative Plymouth apprenticeship scheme has received recognition at the national Kickstart Awards.
The Plymouth Natural Grid is a partnership project between Plymouth City Council, The National Trust and Real Ideas Organisation which aims to make nature more accessible to residents. Having taken on 10 Kickstart apprentices in December 2021, the project has now welcomed five more.
The Kickstart scheme is a nationwide placement programme for people between 18-24 years of age out of formal employment, education or training at risk of long term unemployment. The apprentices work with the Plymouth Natural Grid on a six month nature based placements.
Such has been the success of the scheme that last week, Councillor Richard Bingley, Leader of Plymouth City Council, was in London to attend the Kickstart Awards and receive the Promoting Diversity and Inclusion award from Therese Coffey MP.
Having serviced the city since March 2021, we are delighted that Zedify has been able to officially launch in Plymouth this week. Zedify Plymouth is a delivery service with a conscience; by using cargo bikes, the team is able to make local deliveries without producing any harmful tailpipe emissions. The company provides efficient and environmentally friendly courier services city-wide by utilising a carbon-free fleet of electric bikes and trikes. The carbon-free bikes are able to pick up items from a local hub and distribute them across the city, reducing the number of traditional vans on the roads and in turn, creating less congestion, reduced noise and lower levels of pollution for local residents.
Zedify Plymouth operates with a people-first approach, with friendly, fairly paid delivery staff and a team of people who are genuinely passionate about what they do. They intend to give you a smooth experience with your deliveries, and so far, have been very well received servicing business in and around Plymouth, leaving a fantastic impression on the community.
The Zedify business model is in full swing across the country, with Plymouth being the 10th city for the company to call home. It has been reported that a whopping 35,000 vans have been replaced in Bristol alone through Zedify’s actions, so it is certainly exciting to see what Zedify could bring to the future of Plymouth. As our city keeps expanding, and the climate crisis comes ever closer, it is apparent to all of us that changes must be made to ensure that the comfort of our daily lives can continue in a liveable, workable city.
Earlier this month, HRH Princess Anne visited Plymouth as the city marked the 50th Anniversary of the Nautical Institute with a Conference and Dinner for delegates from around the world.
Hosted by the Nautical Institute’s South West England branch the three day event focussed on the future of the maritime profession at a time of rapid societal change. Delegates heard from a wide range of speakers who provided insight and shared expertise on the challenges and opportunities faced by those in the maritime industry both at sea and onshore.
HRH Princess Anne attended a session of the Conference ‘The Future Professional Mariner’ and heard two papers presented by local companies; ‘New Technologies in Shipping’ by Gary Simpson, Managing Director Support Babcock International, Devonport, and ‘Autonomous Ships - Mayflower 400’ presented by Matthew Ratsey of Marine Ai.
Princess Anne presented a number of awards to members during her visit including to the Institutes’s South West England branch Vice Chairman Paul Wright MNM MSc FNI. Paul received a ‘Certificate of Dedicated Service’.
For further information on the latest events, visit Invest Plymouth's event page
If you have a Plymouth event you'd like promoted, you can submit your own events here
Meet the Business Strategy & Growth Expert
Oceansgate | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 10 August
The ‘Practical Strategies and Tools to Accelerate Your Growth in 2022’ workshop will be delivered by Richard Miller, Strategic Services Partner at Dafferns LLP, in partnership with the ‘Meet the Expert’ Business Support Programme and will offer practical advice on how to survive today’s environment of constant change, volatility and competitive pressures and how it demands a robust and ever-evolving strategic plan focused on delivering successful outcomes.
What Accounts For Trust In The Leadership Of An Enterprise?
Legitimate Leadership | Online | 14 September
Join business founder, Wendy Lambourne, for an introduction to the Legitimate Leadership model exploring legitimacy, trust, contribution and accountability in organisations today.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships business information sessions
University of Plymouth | Online | 21 September, 23 November, 1 February 2023
The University of Plymouth's Innovation Funding Team together with Enterprise Solutions are hosting a series of free, business-information sessions.
These online events will show how different businesses can benefit from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project and explore other services for business that are available from the University.
Government Announces Two-year Extension of Recovery Loan Scheme for Small Firms
A support scheme offering Government-backed loans to small businesses will be extended for a further two years, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced.
The Recovery Loan Scheme, originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, has supported almost 19,000 businesses with an average of £202,000 in support. It gives lenders a Government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility.
The £4.5 billion scheme is only open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Loans are available through a network of accredited lenders, listed on the British Business Bank’s website. Once received, the finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including growth and investment.
The maximum amount of finance available is £2 million per business. The actual amount offered and the terms are at the discretion of participating lenders. The guarantee coverage that the Government will provide to lenders is 70%.
Sainsbury’s Announces £5m Investment Programme for Sustainable Tech Start-ups
Sainsbury’s intends to reach Net Zero in its operations by 2035. As part of this pledge the supermarket chain has announced the launch of its Innovation Investments programme which will invest in early-stage companies commercialising innovative, sustainable technologies that look to reduce operational carbon emissions and water usage.
The programme seeks to deploy at least £5 million over four years, with initial investments of up to £500,000, with potential to expand further. It will lead or co-invest alongside other investors.
Submissions of interest in the programme may be made at any time.
Government Announces Fund to Accelerate Nuclear Fuel Supply
The Nuclear Fuel Fund aims to preserve the UK front-end nuclear fuel cycle capability, supporting support the Government’s ambition to increase civil nuclear deployment to up to 24GW by 2050.
Grants will be awarded to projects that can increase the country’s domestic nuclear fuel sector, reducing the need for foreign imports and creating the material used in nuclear power stations to generate electricity.
Up to £75 million will be awarded to support the development costs of investments into new nuclear fuel capabilities, supporting a range of reactor types and sizes, including small and advanced modular reactors.
Businesses can now register their interest in applying for funding. The scheme will formally open to applications in the autumn.
Expanded Eligibility Criteria for Help to Grow Digital Scheme Announced
Customer Relation Management (CRM) software can boost business productivity. The Government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme offers firms discounts on approved software worth up to £5,000. The scheme is nearly tripling in reach, enabling more firms to adopt the latest digital technology.
Additionally, the Government has announced that Help to Grow: Digital will support one-to-one advice for SMEs on how best they can adopt digital technology. The service is expected to go live later in 2022.
Support can be accessed at any time.
Funding for Black Entrepreneurs to Create Food and Drink Products for Sainsbury’s
Thrive with Sainsbury's has been created to support Black-led food and drink business with a new product that could appeal to customers of the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain.
Nine successful applicants selected will receive a welcome grant of £20,000, as well as more than 150 hours of practical support and group learning opportunities with a variety of subject matter experts during the process. Each participant’s journey will be tailored to their specific needs and there will be additional funding available at various stages throughout the process, up to the value of £105,000 per brand.
The deadline for applications is 16 August 2022.
Government Awarding Grants to Support Innovative Health Solutions for Veterans
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) is providing funding administered by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to enable innovation in clinical care for the UK veteran population.
From a total funding pot of £2.7 million, grants of up to £300,000 over up to two years are available.
The fund is open to a range of organisations undertaking work in this area, including charities and non-profit organisations, academic organisations, microenterprises and medium-sized enterprises, and large companies.
The deadline to apply is 12 noon on 31 August 2022, for decisions on 1 November 2022.
IUK Launches High Altitude Intelligence Cross Sector Innovation Challenge
This Innovate UK (IUK) competition has been created to develop prototype dual use and multi-mission payloads and solutions for data processing, evaluation and dissemination (PED). The aim is to complement the High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) platform development by addressing priority needs and challenges within sensing, datalinks and PED. HAPS refers to an unmanned airship, plane or balloon watching over Earth from the stratosphere.
Proposals must show utility in the context of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) or Maritime Security missions and be compatible with at least one model of stratospheric platform.
IUK has allocated up to £4 million to fund innovation projects in this competition. Each project’s total costs must be between £100,000 and £2 million.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is 2 September 2022.
Innovate UK Launches Community Research Networks Expression of Interest Competition
Over the next four years, Innovate UK (IUK) is investing in the creation of a series of Community Research Networks across the UK with the aim of delivering economic, social, and cultural benefits from research and innovation to all UK citizens.
Up to £500,000 has been allocated to fund collaborations for an initial period of six months. The total grant awarded for each collaboration is fixed at £25,000. The funds can be used to support the building of collaborations and partnerships, convening discussions, hosting workshops, engaging communities, collaborative bid writing, and desk research.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 14 September 2022.
Innovate UK Launches UK Privacy Enhancing Technologies Challenge Prize
The aim of the UK Privacy Enhancing Technologies Challenge is to accelerate the development and adoption of privacy-preserving federated learning approaches, and build trust in their adoption.
Up to £700,000 is available in funding across the three phases of the competition. Applicants successful in Phase 1 and invited to Phase 2 will be able to apply for up to £50,000 to develop their solutions against a synthetic dataset provided by the organisers in Phase 2. Up to 10 awards of £10,000 will also be given to the highest scoring projects from phase 1. The £10,000 can only be used to support with the growth of the business.
The deadline for applications is 19 September 2022.
Launch of Space Based Solar Power Innovation Competition
Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) is the concept of collecting solar power in a high earth orbit and beaming it securely to a fixed point on the earth and could deliver clean baseload energy day and night throughout the year. A recently published independent report found SBSP to be technically feasible, potentially economically competitive and aligned with UK government priorities.
This competition will provide grants to fund innovation in SBSP. The total budget available for the Competition is from £3 million with potential for an additional amount of up to £3 million which is split across the four lots. Applicants are eligible to receive up to £1 million of grant funding for Lots 1 & 2 or £500,000 for Lots 3 & 4.
The deadline for applications is 23 September 2022.
Public Engagement Funding Available for Engineering Projects
Innovative proposals are sought to help engineers, or science and engineering communicators, promote their expertise and explore ways to provide engaging training opportunities to a wider public.
The scheme would also welcome proposals that aim to encourage deeper discussions between engineers and the wider public about the implications of engineering for society, such as, the cultural and ethical impact.
Funding of between £3,000 and £30,000 is available for project costs directly related to the development and delivery of the proposed project such as salaries, consultancy, events, materials and travel and subsistence.
The deadline for applications is 26 September 2022.
Round Three of Regulators’ Pioneer Fund Now Open
The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund aims to keep the UK at the forefront of regulatory thinking and experimentation. The Fund will support projects led by regulators which aim to help create a UK regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment.
There is a total budget of £12 million available to fund projects that help businesses bring innovative products and services to market. Individual projects can apply for up to £1 million in grant funding.
The deadline for applications is 29 September 2022.
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