Wales is 'Open for Business'

Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates has reinforced that Wales is very much open for business.

Speaking to Anchor companies recently, he said Welsh Government is committed to supporting business growth and investment.

The Cabinet Secretary has attended Anchor Company Forum meetings in North Wales and South Wales to talk to the companies, listen to any concerns following the EU referendum result, discuss new opportunities and stress how Welsh Government can support them.  

Read more and watch the Economy Cabinet Secretary’s statement.

Wales Innovation Summit Welsh Government’s Minister for Skills and Science Julie James will be a key speaker at the Innovation Advisory Council of Wales (IACW) first ever Innovation Summit.   Topics for discussion will include the establishment of a National Innovation Body of Wales, public sector challenges and the trends, social movements and technological breakthroughs that will impact our lives over the next year. The Summit, which will bring together leaders who play an integral role in driving forward Wales’ innovation strategy, is part of Venturefest Wales 2016. Find out more and register.

Brick Fabrication benefits from Welsh Government help to partner with University Pontypool based building manufacturer ‘Brick Fabrication’ has doubled staff numbers and turnover thanks in part to a Welsh Government Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Cardiff University.  Read more.  Find out how the KTP programme could help your business overcome barriers to growth.

PPM Technology monitors the world’s toxic gasses Following support by Welsh Government, PPM Technology has been able to develop and test new products to monitor the world’s toxic gases.  Watch the Managing Director (John Brynley) of PPM Technology - the leading company in the development and manufacturing of toxic gas detection instrument - talk to Business Wales.

The next generation of Innovators - Student Innovation Awards Over 2000 students, teachers and businesses are expected to attend the 2016 Innovation awards taking place in Cardiff and Bangor next month. This prestigious competition is designed to showcase the most innovative project work of GCSE and A level Design and Technology Students Welsh Government and Welsh Joint Education Committee are working together to encourage young people to be more innovative and appreciative of the importance of design and technology. Read more.

Best in Innovation Wales St David Award Innovation and Technology Award Winner 2015 Geraint Davies, is calling for fellow innovators to nominate those making a real difference to the sector. He said: Don’t miss this opportunity to raise the profile of your organisation and industry through the St David Awards - the highest accolade given by Welsh Government. Geraint, a Video Engineer for the global live video streaming app, Periscope added: “It’s nice for people to know that, in Wales, there are great technology stories happening”. Nominate here until 21 October 2016.

SMARTInnovation Design & Manufacturing workshops Are you interested in driving business success? Come along to an engaging half day workshop which will give you the opportunity to learn more about how your business can access three days of free consultancy for design and manufacturing advice. The session will provide you with more information on how to access our free ‘Health Check’ which we offer to innovative businesses. Find out more about the Health check and register for the workshops.

Fly Cardiff to London City in an hour

Essential links between Cardiff and London are being strengthened with a temporary air service.

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, is stepping in to offer ‘rescue flights’ for the six week Severn Tunnel closure.

Business and tourism travellers can fly to the heart of Canary Wharf up to three times a day from 12 September – 21 October 2016.  Read more and book here.

SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) challenges –

Future Proofing Coding for a Digital Health System

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are looking for innovative ways to code patient clinical episodes within a hospital setting whilst meeting Government targets and reducing the manual burden on staff.   Running as a 2-phase process, this is an open competition and businesses will be able to bid for development contracts of up to £10k in phase 1 (proof of concept) and up to £100k in phase 2 (demonstrator projects).  Find out more.

A cute solution to acute anxiety in dementia

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) are looking for innovative solutions that could assist people, their families and carers living with dementia who experience high levels of anxiety when travelling to and attending hospital care. Find out more and register for the briefing event.

Independent final evaluation report highlights Wales JEREMIE Fund’s significant contribution to supporting Welsh SMEs

An independent evaluation report by Regeneris Consulting and Oldbell3 has highlighted the success of the European-backed Wales JEREMIE Fund managed by Finance Wales, praising its significant contribution to supporting Welsh small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) between 2009 and 2015.

The wide-ranging final evaluation concluded that the £157.5 million Fund became a critical part of the business finance landscape in Wales, improving access to finance for Welsh SMEs and providing them with significant capital support when conditions in the business finance market were particularly challenging.  Read more.

Low carbon energy revolution: How to turn Buildings into Power Stations – 4 & 5 October 2016, The Village Hotel, Swansea

If you are interested in new buildings, design and energy efficiency then come along to find out how SPECIFIC - Wales’s only Innovation and Knowledge Centre - is working with industry to develop, generate, store and release technologies and how combining them has led to an energy revolution - “Buildings as power stations”.  Also hear about the Active Classroom showcasing the latest in design, technology and construction techniques in creating a Building as a Power Station.  Find out more.

CoInnovate - 11th & 12th October 2016, Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel

CoInnovate is a Welsh Government delivery assisted event designed to bring together the world’s leading innovators in the spirit of collaboration. This event merges an open innovation conference with engaging workshops where investors, academics, SME’s and the industrial community can come together to share best practice, pitch technologies and explore market-led opportunities presented by world-leading organisations.

Find out more and register for CoInnovate 2016

Energy Innovation Cardiff – 19th October 2016, Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

Network with the UK’s foremost entrepreneurs, inventors and practitioners who will be sharing how they have developed ground breaking and innovative projects in energy. Click here to register

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