The Innovation & Business Relationship Manager, Elinor Eaton, will depart from her position on Friday 30 September and David Lea will be the newly appointed Innovation & Business Relationship Manager from Monday 3 October. Elinor, who joined at the end of January 2020, said that she has enjoyed her time within Economic Development:
"It has been an extraordinary experience working within a local authority over the last two, almost three years. I am so proud of the accomplishments of the team through what has been a really difficult time for so many people and businesses. I am very proud of what we have achieved together. In my short journey at Plymouth City Council, I have been fortunate to work alongside some extremely talented people, including David Lea, who I have the greatest of confidence in as my successor. He is extremely knowledgeable, principled and a truly dynamic leader, who I know will continue to great things not only for Plymouth City Council, but also the business community in Plymouth. I wish him and the team all the best for the journey ahead.”
Economic Development has recently launched Powering Innovation on Invest Plymouth. A shop window to share and celebrate the innovations and innovative activity through a unique lens over the city.
Plymouth has long recognised the growth potential that an innovation driven economy can bring to a place, and that Innovation is threaded through all of the city. In some places this is led by purpose and passion for social change, in others around digital capabilities and technological advances, and then of course even more in-between. Powering Innovation is a platform that allows everyone and every business to feel aligned with Plymouth’s Innovative community, which we hope will then create a rhythm that is rich and purposeful and one that will continue to help attract and unlock investment, whilst celebrating success.
Powering Innovation has space for news and case studies, and will be shared with the almost 8,500 subscribers to the Invest Plymouth Newsletter. If you would like to feature on Powering Innovation, please email invest@plymouth.gov.uk
With 1.5 million households having no access to the internet (Ofcom, 2021) and 10 million people in the UK lacking basic digital skills (Lloyds CDI, 2021), digitally excluded people in the UK are being left behind.
The internet is an essential lifeline, and with the cost of living rising faster than ever, we need to act quickly. The National Device Bank, delivered through community partners deep in disadvantaged communities, will allow us to provide a refurbished device alongside mobile internet access to break down the barriers of affordable access.
Reconome is the national tech partner, experts in IT logistics and data assurance. It sustainably refurbishes redundant equipment to give it a productive second life, with a special focus on helping excluded communities. Together they are creating a scaled solution that is good for the planet and will fuel digital inclusion.
However, without companies’ used technology the Device Bank will not exist. They already have two global companies on track to help, but to reach the 2 million households who struggle to afford the internet they need many more employers to partner with them.
If you’re an organisation and can help – please complete this form and they will get back to you as quickly as they can.
A new Family and Friend Carer’s Passport is being launched in Plymouth at the end of September 2022, to recognise and value the support carers provide.
The passport, by Improving Lives Plymouth’s Caring for Carers, will be launched by health and social care partners across the city, and highlights the expertise carers bring and the needs they have in terms of their own health and welfare.
Part of this health and wellbeing support is an offer of discounts on a range of activities across the city to help them look after themselves, as if you look after someone, this can be very stressful and demanding on your time and it's important to make sure you look after yourself too.
We are looking for local businesses and individuals who may be willing to offer discounts or concessions on their products and services to carers; a great way to support local carers and local businesses. To talk to us about something you may be able to offer or for further information, please email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk
Some of the city’s biggest and best known employers are taking part in this week’s Launchpad Live two-day future careers event, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available locally and promoting the city’s key growth sectors.
Hosted at Home Park, Launchpad Live will run on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 September and aims to inspire and raise aspirations of local young people, and improve awareness of local career choices and progression pathways available after they leave school.
Launchpad Live will showcase the city’s key employment and growth sectors to over 3,000 Year 7 to 13 students booked to attend through interactive zones, along with the latest immersive technology focused on marine, engineering and manufacturing; health and care; construction and the built environment; tourism, hospitality and retail; technology, business and creative services, as well as the Armed Forces and the emerging green and sustainability career opportunities.
Plans have been unveiled for a massive new hydrogen hub to be built on the edge of Plymouth. The 10MW hydrogen hub project, the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall, will provide local companies - for example energy intensive industries or those with transport fleets – with easy access to hydrogen fuel.
Hydrogen is expected to play a major role over the next 20-30 years in reducing the UK’s CO₂ emissions, helping the country’s journey towards Net Zero and the West Country’s own efforts to decarbonise. Carlton Power, the company who originated and developed the Langage gas-fired power station and the Langage solar farm, has chosen to build its third green hydrogen hub in the UK on land within the Langage Energy Park.
More change is on the cards as the West End of Plymouth’s city centre gets ready for regeneration.
A demolition contract has been awarded to Gilpin Demolition Ltd to tear down emptied buildings on Western Approach – this is part of moves to prepare the site for regeneration schemes including a proposed West End Health and Wellbeing centre.
The demolition is part of the enabling works ahead of the proposed West End Health and Wellbeing Centre, and funding from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund is being used to facilitate the demolition. Planning permission for the centre has been granted however the project remains subject to business case approval and a confirmed funding source.
Following the publication of this quarter's national report, SWMAS have now analysed responses from businesses across the South West of England to highlight the current position of regional manufacturing and how this differs from the national picture.
Key findings...
- Price increases and longer lead times are negatively impacting almost all of the regional businesses surveyed
- 80% are struggling to find suitably skilled staff
- Although over a quarter have seen orders increase as a result of work coming back to the UK, 18% are unable to fulfill this demand due to current supply chain and recruitment challenges
SSE are currently looking for interested parties for an upcoming project to deliver the following packages of work to support the delivery of the OWIC Pathways to Growth work programme:
- Lot 1 - Biodiversity and Nature Recovery
- Lot 2 - Coexistence and Colocation - Marine Industries
- Lot 3 - Applying Evidence and Data in Decision Making
- Lot 4 – Identifying Policy and Legislative Barriers to Offshore Wind Deployment
All the information can be found via the SSE Potential Suppliers website here. Make your way to the ‘Call for Competition’ drop down and you should be able to locate ‘SSE OWIC Pathways to Growth Project – Note of Interest’. If you are interested in bidding for these works, please ensure you complete the application form and return it by 30th September 2022.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Aaron Fraser at aaron.fraser@sse.com.
Thrive is here to support you to make your business the best it can be. Whether you are looking for ways to increase your turnover, grow your business or just do things more efficiently so that you can spend more time on the things you enjoy doing, Thrive can help.
If you are a sole trader, micro business or limited company in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset (excluding BANES), contact us now to see if you are eligible to access four modules of business advice, support and training. Funding from the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) means this is completely free to eligible businesses in the Heart of the South West area.
Thrive is now accepting applications. Find out more in the below and fill in the form to express your interest.
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
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships business information sessions
University of Plymouth | Online | 21 September, 23 November
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.
Spillover
iMayflower | University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA | 23 September
With a growing UK immersive technology industry and Plymouth being identified as a new “national and international hub for immersive technology”*, join us for the final online edition of Spillover and a day of insightful discussions and virtual networking with key stakeholders from the creative and cultural industries and Higher Education as we explore the potential when immersive technology, innovation and creativity collide.
Meet the Business Success and Leadership Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 5 October
In this workshop, Claire Oatway, a leadership coach-consultant and founder of Neon Juno will cover ‘The Battle for Talent Gets Personal’, a three-hour leadership and strategy boot camp that will bring new insights to even the most seasoned business owner.
An Introduction to Green Tourism
Destination Plymouth | Thursday 6 October
The team at Green Tourism are delivering series of interactive webinars exclusively for businesses in the region. This workshop will be delivered by Fiona and Clare from Green Tourism.
Meet the Low Carbon and Sustainability Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Castlehill Work Hub, EX38 8AA | 12 October
In this workshop, Martin Slocombe, Director, Commercial Energy advisor, 361 Energy CIC will explore ‘Understanding what Carbon and the Environment means to your business’, and will offer practical advice on how to survive today’s energy crisis volatility, environmental legislation change, and competitive pressures and how being ‘sustainable’ is no longer enough.
Meet the Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 24 November
In this workshop, Martin Slocombe, Director, Commercial Energy advisor, 361 Energy CIC will explore ‘Understanding what Carbon and the Environment means to your business’, and will offer practical advice on how to survive today’s energy crisis volatility, environmental legislation change, and competitive pressures and how being ‘sustainable’ is no longer enough.
Applications Invited to Santander X UK Business Awards for Student and Graduate Entrepreneurs
Funding awards and mentoring programmes are available to UK student and graduate entrepreneurs to support business start-up or development initiatives.
Santander Universities, assisted by Enterprise Nation, are delivering the Santander X UK Awards 2022. The 2022 edition of the programme has two award categories: 'Launch' (for new businesses) and 'Accelerate' (for growing businesses). Successful participants and finalists will receive the equity-free grants and prizes.
The deadline for applications is 28 September 2022.
Mindset Extended Reality (XR) for Digital Mental Health - Competitions Launched by IUK
The aim of this Innovate UK (IUK) competition is to develop digital therapeutic Extended Reality (XR) solutions to provide mental health care services through the application of immersive technologies.
Up to £4 million has been allocated to fund innovation projects. Funding will be in the form of a grant. For Strand 1, project costs must be between £50,000 and £100,000. For Strand 2, project costs must be between £100,000 and £250,000.
The deadline for applications is 12 October 2022.
Competition Launched for Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles Feasibility Studies
Through the Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles (PLV) Feasibility Studies Competition, grants are provided for UK businesses active in the niche vehicle technology sector. The funds will help businesses to undertake research aimed at supporting the accelerated development of innovative technologies applicable to road going PLVs.
Grants of up to £35,000 are on offer for three-month projects.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is 17 October 2022.
Friends Provident Foundation Launches Fund to Support a 4-D Economy Across the UK
Friends Provident Foundation is offering grants of up to £100,000 for charities, social enterprises, and private companies, to deliver projects that help to create a more fair and sustainable economy based on the four D’s (Diversified, Decarbonised, Democratised, and Decentralised).
The next deadline for main grant applications is 31 October 2022.
IUK Opens Innovation in Professional and Financial Services Competitions
The aim of this Innovate UK (IUK) programme is to advance the Professional and Financial Services sectors by supporting them in the creation and adoption of digital approaches and new digitally supported services.
This competition is split into two strands:
Up to £7 million has been allocated to fund innovation projects across the two strands.
The deadline for applications is 9 November 2022.
New Round of IUK’s Innovation Loans Future Economy Competition Launched
Innovate UK is offering loans between £100,000 and £2 million to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome barriers to their innovations becoming a successful, commercial reality. The aim is to make a considerable economic impact which results in significant, sustainable business growth. Loans are for highly innovative late stage research and development (R&D) projects with the best potential for the future. There should be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
Deadline for applications is 9 November 2022.
Round 2 of IUK’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Solutions Competition Announced
The aim of the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Solutions Competition is to establish the UK as a leading innovator in smart and sustainable plastic packaging. Its goals are to deliver cleaner growth across the supply chain, with a dramatic reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2025.
Up to £2.5 million has been allocated to fund innovation projects in this competition. Each project’s total grant funding request must be between £30,000 and £250,000.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 9 November 2022.
IUK Announces Ofgem Round 2 Discovery Competitions
Innovate UK (IUK), in partnership with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), is delivering the Discovery phase of a programme deriving funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).
SIF aims to deliver net zero at the lowest cost to consumers and support innovative businesses to grow and scale. There are four challenge competitions:
- Supporting a just energy transition
- Preparing for a net zero power system
- Improving energy system resilience and robustness
- Accelerating decarbonisation of major energy demands
A total of £12 million is allocated to the Discovery Phase across the four challenges. Projects can range in size up to total eligible costs of £150,000. Discovery Phase Projects must last up to three months.
The deadline for applications is 23 November 2022.
IUK Announces PEMD Scale-up Manufacturing Competitions
Innovate UK’s Driving the Electric Revolution will invest in projects that enable the scale-up of Power Electronics Machines and Drives (PEMD) manufacturing to develop a resilient, cross-sectoral, UK supply chain for these enabling technologies critical for net zero.
This competition is split into two strands:
Up to £5 million has been allocated to fund innovation projects across the two competition strands. Funding will be in the form of a grant. For strand 1, each project’s total grant funding request must be between £50,000 and £400,000. For strand 2, each project’s total grant funding request must be between £50,000 and £800,000.
The deadline for applications is 7 December 2022.
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund Phase 2 Autumn 2022
Phase 2 of the IETF provides grant funding for feasibility and engineering studies, and for the deployment of industrial energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.
The fund provides approximately £70 million of grant funding for project types: studies; energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation.
The deadline for applications is 13 January 2023.
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