Data Pitch Innovation Programme Offers Equity-free Funding for SMEs Addressing Data Challenges
Data Pitch is an EU-funded open innovation programme bringing together corporate and public-sector organisations who are innovating with data.
Proposals are invited from start-ups and SMEs on how to address the following twelve challenges: Retail; Transport; Empowering Users Online; Smart Manufacturing; Sports & Recreation; Data Management; Lifelong Learning; Tourism; Data Analytics; Health & Wellness; and Living Open Innovation. Applications must target one challenge only, and explain how it will address it.
The competition will select the best business ideas by start-ups and SMEs. These companies will receive funding, support to develop a concept into a robust and sustainable data business and a place on the Data Pitch Accelerator, commencing in February 2018.
The Data Pitch competition consists of two calls. The first call opened at 12 noon on 1 July 2017 and closes at 12 noon on 1 October 2017. The second call is expected to open in summer 2018.
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Entries Open for Enterprise Nation Female Start-up of the Year 2017
The Enterprise Nation Female Start-up of the Year competition has been created to showcase early stage female start-up entrepreneurs who are excelling in their industry. Enterprise Nation will shortlist three business owners to pitch live on stage at the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs event in Bristol on 20 October 2017.
Each company will be given three minutes to pitch followed by six minutes of questions from a panel of judges. The chosen Enterprise Nation Female Start-up of the Year winner will be announced live on stage at the event and receive prizes to help them and their business flourish and grow.
The competition is open to female entrepreneurs who are eligible to work in the UK. The applicant’s start-up must be a UK based company with no more than 10 employees that has been trading for up to three years.
Applicants must have purchased a ticket for and be able to attend the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs in Bristol on 20 October 2017. Entrants also need to have a valid Enterprise Nation membership. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 5 October 2017.
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Publication of Life Sciences Industrial Strategy
‘Health life sciences’ refers to the application of biology and technology to health improvement, including biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, genomics, diagnostics and digital health.
It has the advantage of very high productivity compared to other sectors, and generates a wide range of products including drugs, medical technology, diagnostics and digital tools, as well as products for consumer health. It is also widely distributed across the whole of the UK and brings significant jobs and growth to virtually every region.
Sir John Bell was commissioned in the Government’s Industrial Strategy green paper to bring industry together and produce a report that lays out the sector’s vision of how the UK might exploit its existing strength to increase the pace of economic growth in the life sciences sector.
The Government will consider the report’s recommendations and use them to work towards a sector deal between government and the global life sciences sector.
Click here to download the Strategy
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Launch of the Open to Export Action Plan Competition
The Open to Export Action Plan Competition encompasses an online planning tool for small businesses with ambitions to sell their goods and services overseas.
Businesses are being encouraged to enter the competition for the opportunity of securing funding and additional support towards the development of a strategy for international growth after the UK leaves the European Union.
Businesses can gain recognition by pitching to a panel of judges at a showcase final event at the Swiss Embassy on 2 November 2017 with a chance to meet specialists in international trade and gain access to their expertise. Both the winner and the other finalists will gain a package of prizes designed to accelerate their growth overseas.
The competition is open to all UK small businesses investigating exporting for the first time or planning to export to a new country following the UK’s exit from the EU. The business needs to be registered as a UK company.
The deadline for completed applications is 6pm on 29 September 2017.
Fore more information click here
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New jobs and billions to UK economy from innovation grants
Independent research finds funding from bodies like Innovate UK significantly boost jobs, turnover and productivity.
Torbay Businesses have benefited from these opportunities but we could be punching higher and accessing more of these opportunities. The TDA business team can help support any organisation keen to grow and to access these kind of opportunities.