Funding to grow your business – experts tell all

Ever wondered how to find government backing to help your business grow?

Innovate UK – the UK’s innovation agency – will outline the various ways to apply for financial support from the agency.

Jon Wood, Wales Manager Innovate UK, and entrepreneur Professor James Birchall will explore the pros, cons and pitfalls – and explain how to get things right.

Since 2007, Innovate UK has committed £1.8 billion to innovation, helping more than 7,600 organisations with projects estimated to add more than £11.5 billion to the UK economy and create 55,000 new jobs.

Jon Wood said: “Innovation is risky, and often requires capacity or capability that is outside a business’ core strengths. Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, helps businesses de-risk innovation projects by providing funding and helping connection to research organisations, other businesses and Universities that can address particular challenges.

“My role is to work with Welsh Government and other innovation support agencies in Wales to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the Welsh and UK economies.”

Innovate UK funding is geared towards helping Small to Medium Sized Enterprises forge new partnerships that create economic growth. Cardiff University works to partner SMEs leading bids with Innovate UK, providing academic expertise, business support, or working jointly with consortia.

James Birchall, Professor at Cardiff University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is the Director of a successful spin out company.

He has secured over £15 million in collaborative external grant funding from a broad range of sources including Research Councils, the pharmaceutical industry, government bodies and charities.

James will share his experience of applying for, securing and managing Innovate UK funding, both as an academic and Director of Extraject Technologies Ltd.

The event – ‘Funding Innovation: An overview of Innovate UK funding and how to apply’ – is on Wednesday 9 November from 18:00 to 20:30 hrs.

Book tickets for the event here.

Light refreshments and an opportunity for networking follow the session.