Innovative programme is back again
A programme designed to unlock the innovative potential of North East SMEs has been relaunched by the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).
The new programme will build on the success of the BIC’s previous SME Innovation Programme and assist businesses to become more innovative, enabling them to increase their competitiveness and exploit more opportunities – bringing huge benefits to the region.
The BIC has received £899,250 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
And over the next three years, the programme will support more than 70 SMEs by providing the advice and funding required to outsource innovation experts who will help SMEs to develop new products, services or processes and/or help bring them to market.
Innovation Manager at the North East BIC Elizabeth Shaw said: “North East SME’s have a growing appetite to invest in research and development so I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to continue putting the region on the innovation map.
“In order to prosper, businesses must innovate and whilst most would agree with the sentiment, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
“We take pride in the relationship we build with SMEs and partners and, as a result, gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills required to take ideas from concept to reality.”