SEEDA Innovation Voucher Scheme Launched
The SEEDA Innovation Voucher Scheme has been set up to encourage and make it easier for local companies to access business innovation and improvement support through the region's universities and public research establishments.
SEEDA is making up to 55 Innovation Vouchers available, worth either £4000 or £8000, to SMEs based in South East England.
Key benefits of the programme include:
- Access to the wealth of knowledge and expertise from the UK's knowledge-base
- Quick and easy access to expertise
- Expert help to resolve technical/service/product development challenges
- Help to get a product/service to market quicker
- Opportunity to develop a collaborative relationship with a regional knowledge base
Examples of eligible projects could include:
- innovation/technology audits
- new business model development
- new service delivery/development
- technical validation of a technology
- developing a prototype or demonstrator
- consultancy from experts or specialists
- using knowledge-based facilities or equipment
Eligible companies can be operating in any sector; will have had little or no significant prior interaction with the selected university; and will have the willingness and potential to collaborate on developing innovative products, processes or services. SMEs will be able to use this expertise to get help with projects where they themselves do not have the technology, facilities or expertise to complete.
Two types of voucher are available offering either £4,000 or £8,000. Innovation Vouchers are in limited supply, so applications need to be submitted by 9th March 2011.
29 Mar 2011