Following on from the successful launch of Smart Sound Connect earlier this year, yesterday marked the opening of a state-of-the-art control centre for the network to further enhance the support provided to industry as part of the Smart Sound testing and proving ground based in and around Plymouth Sound.
Opened by Councillor Pat Patel, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport, the Smart Sound Connect Control Centre will provide live access to the world’s first ocean-focussed 5G network, powered by Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), as well as well as the wider point-to-point data mesh network that covers the full 1000 sq km of ocean that makes up Smart Sound. Hosted by Plymouth City Council at Endeavour House in Oceansgate, the new Control Centre is run by the Council and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) with support from Smart Sound Connect’s technology partners, Vodafone Business, Nokia and Steatite.
To date, almost 50 use cases have been identified for Smart Sound Connect. Access is provided free of charge and is funded by Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Businesses looking to use the network will also have free access to the Control Centre for their marine innovation projects.
Smart Sound Connect, the world’s first ocean-focussed 5G testbed, has been recognised by the mobile sector as a cutting edge innovation platform for the development of the next generation of marine technologies.
At the 20th Mobile Industry Awards, held at Lancaster House in London on the 22nd September, Smart Sound Connect was named as the 5G Innovation of the Year (Product/Service). This prestigious award represents a significant endorsement of the network by the mobile industry and recognises a world leading marine innovation initiative based in Plymouth.
Led and run by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the network utilises leading technology from Vodafone, Nokia and Steatite. Benefitting from £1.8 million of funding from Heart of the South West LEP, the network is free of charge to use for businesses looking to utilise high speed, low latency data networks at sea to develop innovative marine solutions.
Smart Sound is also a key asset to the global offering of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport by strengthening the region's position as a marine autonomy super cluster.
A new innovative research partnership in Plymouth will help tackle health inequalities, thanks to national funding.
Plymouth City Council and its academic partner, the University of Plymouth, have been awarded more than £4.7 million from The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care for a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).
Plymouth is one of 10 locations across the country to be given funding to set up an HDRC, which supports research into the social determinants of health. For example, how things like housing, education, safe streets and a sense of community have an impact on health and how this creates inequalities across different areas of the city. A further three councils will be receiving development award funding during 2022/23, with the prospect of them becoming full HDRCs the following financial year.
The collaboration will help the Council to make evidence-based decisions, with the ultimate aim of reducing health inequalities, stimulating economic growth and addressing the challenges faced by the health and care system.
The FSB are celebrating the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. As the largest event of its kind in the small business calendar, the high-profile FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and open to all.
With winners from each category securing a spot at the prestigious UK final and a chance to be crowned the UK Small Business of the Year, it’s an opportunity for widespread recognition. Entrants will be judged by a panel of leading business experts with a wealth of experience in their industry.
Having a roadmap for your business is a sure-fire way to ensure continuity and stability over the coming months.
Thrive offers a free 1-2-1 diagnostic and training service with up to 12 hours of tailor-made support that will enable your business to improve and grow. Thrive has a range of finance and business planning modules available for businesses to access.
Are you trying to raise funding for your company or are you just curious about how a funding application works? Is your business considering investing in green initiatives to support Net Zero and want to understand how this could impact your bottom-line profit? If so, our next workshop is perfect for you.
We are delighted to announce that two special guests will talk at our sixth free workshop at Plymouth Science Park on 18 October 2022.
The Export Support Service (ESS) is the Department of International Trade’s (DIT) single point of contact for UK businesses to ask questions about exporting and has helped many make progress on their export journey. Having listened to customers via feedback forms, research and through business associations, DIT want to highlight some improvements they are making to the ESS from 10 October 2022.
From 10 October the current ESS Helpline service will be replaced by the facility to arrange a call back with a DIT trade specialist. With the recent in-housing of the International Trade Advisory Service into the department, this gives great opportunity to use the expertise and experience that they have across DIT teams to develop their integrated service offer. The ESS Digital Enquiry Service, which can be accessed via gov.uk, will continue to function as they seek to continually adapt their offer and make best use of their digital functions. Channelling all enquires through the Digital Enquiry Team and offering call backs will allow DIT to provide better responses, and to refer companies more effectively to other services that might help them on their export journeys.
Are you a Devon Based SME? Do you think you could benefit from free academic input from the University of Plymouth? The Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN) project can help
The PMCN are part of an ERDF-funded project which runs until March 2023 and are able to help SMEs in Devon with fault analysis, competitor analysis and in some instances, composite analysis, using electron microscopy.
They have helped several companies from swimsuit manufacturers, sunglasses manufacturers, ice cream makers to coffee roasters, fudge makers and gin distillers to name a few.
PMCN also engage with SMEs in biology, manufacturing, marine, geology and agricultural sectors, but not limited to these sectors.
The Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre has helped several SMEs over time in the Devon area; Langage Dairy, Owens Coffee, Plessey, Arc Marine and Pollenize and many more.
Please see further information about the project and a link to their case studies below:
The Skills Launchpad Plymouth team are celebrating after being highly commended at the Plymouth Live Business Awards 2022 for the Innovation Award which, celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisation's success over the past 12 months.
Destination Plymouth
Destination Plymouth is leading the city’s ambitious strategy to bring 6.2 million visitors to the city by 2030 and increasing spend in Plymouth to an incredible £450 million. We need some special individuals to join us to power through and put our Ocean City in the spotlight.
Applications close Wednesday 26 October at 5pm.
Marketing Manager at Plymouth City Council
Ballard House/Remote Working Permanent 37 hours per week Grade I (£39,571 to £44,624)
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to lead the direction, planning and delivery of place marketing and communications for Britain’s Ocean City, positioning Plymouth nationally and internationally as a city to live, work and visit.
You’ll work in close partnership with Destination Plymouth (DMO) at a strategic level and will lead a high performing team responsible for delivering marketing and communications for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, inward investment, culture & events, strategic programmes, visitors and tourist information.
Applications close Sunday 30 October.
Find out more and apply
Don't miss out on featuring in the Plymouth's 2022 Christmas Guide, the Christmas Chronicle.
It will be the largest circulation guide in the festive season going to 92,000 Plymouth homes throughout November in the Plymouth Chronicle.
It's officially backed by Plymouth City Council and both city BIDs, so as well as the direct reach to residents at home it will be getting coverage online too.
If you want to find out more, please contact Dave Simpson from Cornerstone Vision on dave@cornerstonevision.com or via 01752 225623.
If you're interested in booking, please get in touch by Sunday 16 October.
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
NHS and Care Recruitment Fair
One Devon | Future Inn Plymouth, PL6 5ZD | 14 October
If you have ever thought of a career in the health or care sector in Plymouth, then why not come along to this shared event that brings together the major employers within the city for a major recruitment fair? You can meet staff from a variety of different fields and see if there's something that suits you.
Climate Change (Re)Considered
Grow Plymouth | Drake Circus, PL4 8AQ | 19, 26 October& 9 November
An interactive workshop to explore how Grow Plymouth’s centrally-located building at Drake Circus can be used to communicate issues of climate change, low / net zero carbon, and sustainability – in a way that is accessible and people-centred.
System Shift Take Action: Carbon footprinting
Low Carbon Devon | University of Plymouth | 20 October, 3, 10 & 17 November
How can you take meaningful action on climate change as a local enterprise or business based here in Devon? Join us for a series of interactive and informative carbon footprinting workshops enabling you to put theory into action and help make net-zero a reality.
Green Edge Training
Green Edge/Destination Plymouth | 3 November
The one-day Green Edge training course gives managers and owners in all types of business a better understanding of green tourism and how it impacts on their organisation. It enables participants to develop clear plans to cut costs, improve sustainability and reap the environmental, marketing and bottom-line benefits of embracing green tourism.
Meet the Winter Marketing Social Media Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 9 November
In this workshop, Scott Grenney of Eddystone Media will offer practical advice and tools to boost your online business presence and make the most of the winter season to reach wider audiences.
Low Carbon Devon Showcase | Practical stories and action toward net zero
Low Carbon Devon | University of Plymouth | 11 November
Join Low Carbon Devon as we celebrate and explore net zero action in Devon. Hear practical stories from Devon enterprises, how they are reducing their energy use and finding opportunities in the green economy. Devon enterprises are taking action – learn and leave inspired!
Destination Plymouth Tourism Conference 2022
Destination Plymouth | Duke of Cornwall | 16 November
Join us on Wednesday 16 November 2022 for our annual conference which we are delighted to be hosting at The Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth. Registration starts 9.30am and conference closes 4pm. Tickets for the conference cost £20 and include a buffet lunch and refreshments. Concessions / Students £10
Meet the Business Survival Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 16 November
In this workshop, Jonathan and Adrienna will present, what they don’t teach start-up and fledgling businesses. This free workshop will cover the 7 ways to increase the Value of Your Business, to make it work for you and become attractive to keep and grow, or a great prospect for others to buy if you sell.
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.
Meet the Business Growth Strategy Expert
Oceansgate/Meet the Expert | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 7 December
In this workshop, we will help you uncover suitable growth strategies for 2023, looking closely at key elements of your business – target markets, current performance, product, competitors, pricing & more to develop practical actions that pave a clear path to success.
Government Expands Start Up Loans for New Businesses
The Government has announced enhancements to the eligibility criteria of the Start Up Loans initiative. The £884 million scheme is designed to help innovative new businesses starting up across the UK.
This is an ongoing programme. Applications may be submitted at any time.
DCMS Funding for Product Testing of Enterprise Connected Devices
A grant is available to a UK business to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers.
A grant of up to £200,000 is available to the successful bidder.
The deadline for applications is 29 October 2022.
Round 3 of Clean Maritime Demonstration Competitions Launched by IUK
The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) aims to fund real world demonstrations of clean maritime technologies in an operational setting. Proposals must develop, test and deploy novel clean maritime technologies focused on both on-vessel technologies and related shoreside infrastructure, including at ports and harbours.
The Round 3 competition is split into two strands:
Up to £60 million has been allocated across the two competition strands. For the Vessel or Infrastructure Demonstrations competition, each project’s total costs must be between £1 million and £8 million. For the Combined Demonstrations Competition, each project’s total eligible costs must be between £2 million and £10 million.
The deadline for applications is 9 November 2022.
Entries Open for 2023 Green Alley Award for Europe's Eco-entrepreneurs
The Green Alley Award is a start-up competition focused on the green economy, dealing specifically with the challenges of the throwaway society, the scarcity of resources and the recovery of raw materials.
Green Alley is looking for ideas, new services, products and technologies that can turn waste into a resource. In return, it offers strategic support, networking opportunities and financing to boost business across Europe.
Finalists are invited to an event with workshops and live pitches in Berlin where they will meet circular economy experts and benefit from networking and learning opportunities. The Green Alley Award winner receives up to €25,000 in cash.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 21 November 2022.
IUK Announces Circular Economy for SMEs Innovating with NICER - Round 2 Competition
Businesses and their partners can access funding to support feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development projects that address the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.
IUK has allocated up to £1.5 million to fund innovation projects in this competition. Each project's total eligible costs must be between £100,000 and £150,000.
The competition opens on 13 October 2022 and closes on 7 December 2022.
Ofwat Launches Water Breakthrough Challenge 3
The Water Breakthrough Challenge has been created to reward businesses developing innovative solutions to the water sector's biggest environmental challenges, benefiting society and the environment.
The current competition is called ‘Breakthrough 3’, comprising two streams of funding. Through the Catalyst Stream, approximately £8 million is available for entries seeking funding of between £150,000 and £2 million. Through the Transform Stream, approximately £30 million is available for entries seeking funding of between £2 million and £10 million per entry.
The deadline for the Catalyst Stream is 8 December 2022. The Stage 1 deadline for the Transform Stream is 9 November 2022.
Launch of Industrial Energy Transformation Fund - Phase 2 Autumn 2022
The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future.
IETF Phase 2: Autumn 2022 provides approximately £70 million of grant funding for the following project types:
- For energy efficiency deployment projects, grants of between £100,000 and £14 million are available.
- Deep decarbonisation deployment projects will attract grants of between £100,000 and £30 million.
- Engineering studies will qualify for grants of between £50,000 and £14 million, and feasibility studies will be funded with grants of between £30,000 and £7 million.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is 13 January 2023.
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