 South West companies recognised for world-leading marine and maritime innovation with £1.85m funding
12 innovative companies have been offered a share of almost £1.85 million of funding from the Innovate UK Launchpad for the Great South West.
This Innovate UK Launchpad provides innovation support and funding tailored to the local area’s strengths in marine and maritime.
Plymouth tech firm is creating jobs and is employing more women
Acronyms has just moved into bigger premises as it looks to create jobs with women playing an increasingly important part.
A Plymouth tech firm is creating jobs and is employing more women. In an industry that is dominated by men, IT company Acronyms now has eight women among its 31 staff.
It has just welcomed four new female starters and has plans to increase total headcount to 50 by next year. Acronyms has also just bought new premises at William Prance Road, in Derriford, which sees its office footprint more than double in size so it has plenty of room for newcomers.
CGI impression of ‘Oceanus’ - the world’s first long-range autonomous research vessel
Be the first to see the new video featuring a computer-generated imagery (CGI) impression of the eagerly-anticipated research vessel, the ‘Oceanus’.
Oceanus - which will span a remarkable 24 metres - is designed to be a fully-uncrewed, self-righting, autonomous vessel; capable of carrying an array of monitoring sensors to collect data for research into critical areas such as climate change, biodiversity, fisheries and biogeochemistry.
The vessel is set to usher in a new era for net zero oceanography and advanced international marine research. It will be able to reach remote areas of the ocean that are difficult or impossible to sample through traditional research vessels, whether due to remote locations or due to extreme weather conditions.
University of Plymouth ranks 5th in UK for work experience opportunities
The ranking came in Rate My Placement's Best 50 Universities for Work Experience.
The University of Plymouth has been ranked fifth in the UK for its work experience opportunities by national platform, Rate My Placement. It featured in the platform’s 'Best 50 Universities for Work Experience' category, and is also the highest ranked institution in the South West Peninsula.
The awards are based on student feedback related to opportunities such as optional placement years and internships, with the University needing to reach a response threshold before even being eligible to feature in the list.
 Innovate UK EDGE has changed its name to Innovate UK Business Growth
The new name is designed to provide more clarity on the purpose of the service and what the organisation can support UK innovators with.
Innovate UK Business Growth is a publicly-funded service available to all high potential small to medium sized innovation-driven companies, including Innovate UK grant winners.
In 2023, according to Business West, Innovate UK Business Growth enabled South West innovators to raise over £24m in equity investments, and more than £21m in grant funding.
Small Business Finance Markets 2023/24
British Business Bank Business Finance Markets 2024 report found record level of asset finance small business deals in 2023. Download it for the latest in-depth analysis of small business finance market trends.
South West Innovation Expo 2024 Podcasts
Listen to the Innovation Conversations podcast episodes from the South West Innovation Expo 2024, now streaming on Spotify https://spoti.fi/43HVDz6 and Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3xlYbHb.
Gain insights from regional businesses and academic experts from the University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter as they discuss diverse topics including Agri-Tech, Digital Innovations in Health and Well-being, Net Zero, and Biodiversity.
Managed workspace to grow your business
Are you a small business looking for new office accommodation? Managed by Plymouth City Council, The Business Centre provide flexible managed workspaces for small and micro businesses. Offering friendly and supportive communities of like-minded businesses they are perfect for those looking to start or grow their business.
To enquire about this space please telephone the Business Centre direct on: 01752 306601
Cashflow Management for Business Growth
Effective cashflow management is essential for all businesses, and your cashflow forecast is one of the most powerful business management tools – it helps you prepare for the year ahead and monitor growth.
Tracking your forecasted figures against actual spending helps you monitor your working capital and identify any areas where you might be overspending. By eliminating unnecessary costs, you’ll free up some cash to reinvest back into your business.
Here SWIG Finance’s business manager Rachael Taylor explores how to effectively manage your cashflow, and she also shares her top tips for controlling your spending.
 Boosting Tech Recruitment in the South West through Skills for Life Bootcamps
BIT Training is launching new IT Skills Bootcamps in Devon and Cornwall, aimed at bolstering the South-West region’s tech capabilities. These bootcamps, scheduled to begin on 29 April 2024, will equip trainees with top-tier IT and Cyber training, making them highly skilled and industry-ready professionals. Notably, candidates completing the program will be available for hiring without associated recruitment fees.
The bootcamps are open to residents aged 19 and above in Devon or Cornwall and offer a blend of learning and real-world experience. Delivered by industry experts, these commercial bootcamps go beyond traditional “tickbox learning,” ensuring trainees exit with coveted certifications from the British Computer Society, CompTIA, ITIL, and CertNexus.
To learn more about BIT Training’s IT and Cyber Skills Bootcamp, click below or contact their Skills Bootcamp team at 01752 724000.
Workplace Digital Skills Application - Plymouth Science Park Microsoft 365 Training
Are you a business located in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth or Torbay?
Are your MS365 skills are not quite where you'd like them to be, check out this series of FREE workshops, delivered by the amazing team at Cosmic UK.
Hosted by Plymouth Science Park Ltd and Bamboo-Growth Ltd as part of the parks commitment to support business growth. Spaces are limited to 12, so please don't miss out.
- 24 April – 10am-1pm
- 8 May – 10am-1pm
- 22 May 2024 – 10am-1pm
There is plenty of free parking, please sign in at reception with your registration. There will be time after the workshop for 121 questions with the Cosmic team and networking as well as light refreshments.
International Green Corridors Fund
UK registered organisations and Irish organisations can apply for a share of up to a combined total of £860,000 (EUR 1 million) for joint R&D projects focused on UK and IE Green Shipping Corridor routes.
Competition opens on Monday 15 April and closes Thursday 30 May 2024 11:00am
 Book your stand now for The Devon Business Show 2024
The ground-breaking Devon Business Show is back for 2024 – and you can book your stand now.
The county’s biggest Business Show returns on Wednesday 16 October 2024 with a fresh new format that will promote inclusivity and feature exciting, innovative and interactive displays.
To find out more and to secure your exhibitor stand for this year’s show.
Connecting leaders, inspiring change
Join the Tech Leaders' Summit on Tuesday 9 July as they bring together the tech community for learning, networking and insight. You'll discuss key issues affecting the sector, gain learning and insight on business support, funding and finance, talent and skills and more. Hearing from key experts in the tech, you'll also gain a clearer understanding of the changing policy landscape in 2024.
Babcock “Meet the Buyer” Breakfast
This breakfast session will take place at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday 14 May, hosted by Devon & Plymouth Chamber, Babcock International and the SMS Group.
It will provide a fantastic opportunity for prospective suppliers, fabricators, mechanical engineers, and marine industry professionals to meet with Babcock’s project team and the main framework contractors, the SMS Group (Southampton Marine Services Ltd).
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