Session 6
Innovation
Knowledge to Innovate
The Knowledge to Innovate Programme
Charlie Rea
The K2i Programme A Regional Innovation programme funded by the NWDA Operating from April 2007 to March 2010 Building Innovation Capacity in over 400 companies We focus on creating additional value in a business through the introduction of something new
Product Innovation Advice and Guidance Intensive Assistance to Innovate: – – – – – – –
Products and services Business processes Business model Company structure Commercialisation of products/services Cultural change Collaborative relationships
Product Innovation Advice and Guidance Mentoring from Innovation Experts Innovation Workshops – Bespoke in-company and – Topic led for groups of companies
Between two and eight days FREE support
Product Rationale Help reduce the Productivity Gap by: Improving the levels of Innovation and competitiveness in Northwest SMEs Bringing Innovation to market in a reduced timeframe Building company Innovation capacity and knowledge.
Eligibility  Mid Tier Northwest SMEs (20+ employees) where innovation can add value  RES Priority Sectors Smaller companies (10+ employees) with the capacity and desire to innovate may also be considered
Available From: Primary Access Route – Business Link Northwest Secondary Channel - K2i Team Tel: Email: Web:
08456 209940 info@k2i.org.uk www.k2i.org.uk
Provider
WM Enterprise
K2i
C-Tech Innovation
Case Studies How K2i is building innovation capacity in companies to add real value to the Northwest economy
Application Process Company Enquiry BLNW or K2i Registration Meeting Action Plan Delivery
Knowledge Transfer Charlie Rea, Knowledge to Innovate
Innovation Vouchers •
New 2 year £4.1m project funded by NWDA & ERDF
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Introduced to encourage businesses to access the knowledge base and increase innovation activity.
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Open to all SMEs in the Northwest including social enterprise and not for profit organisations
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Open to all sectors but priority will be given to – Food & Drink, – Professional & Business Services – Creative & Digital Industries
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1000 £3,000 vouchers available over 2 years, business needs to pay VAT element (£450)
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100 £7,000 vouchers will be available Dec 09 & Apr 10 which the business will need to match with £3,000 plus VAT
Progress to Date •
1st round of 100 vouchers resulted in – 153 applications, of which 128 were eligible – 100 vouchers issued
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2nd round of 200 vouchers resulted in – 263 which included 2 consortium applications – 244 eligible – 200 vouchers issued
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1st round matching with knowledge providers has now taken place and 2nd round currently on going
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Range of projects and issues from strategic market research to prototype design and research
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Those unsuccessful through oversubscription will be able to resubmit their application in the next round
How to Access • Joint Business Link/ NWDA offering • Apply on-line at :-www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk/innovationvouchers • Case Study - community projects artist Tracy Cartledge & mosaic making – – – –
Applied for Voucher in round 1 Voucher helped get ‘mosaic kit’ products to market Delivered mosaic kits into the shops within 6 weeks “It's proved a brilliantly quick way to innovate new products & cost my business nothing" states Tracy
Mosaic Kits
Future Rounds • April 2009 - 1 May 2009
- 200 vouchers
• 3 August 2009 - 28 August 2009 - 200 vouchers • 7 December 2009 - 4 January 2010 - 200 x £3,000 vouchers + 50 x £7,000 vouchers
• 5 April 2010 - 30 April 2010- 200 x £3,000 vouchers + 50 x £7,000 vouchers
• 2 August 2010 - 27 August 2010 - 200 vouchers
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships • Find an innovative solution to help business grow • Increase competitive advantage • Access recently qualified people to spearhead new projects • Access experts who can help take business forward
Who can take part? • KTP has worked with over 3,000 organisations. • From manufacturing to design, sustainability to marketing; • any business sector, including 'not for profit' and public sector organisations such as the NHS, can take part. • Businesses of all sizes can take part too.
What will it cost? •
A KTP is part-funded by a Government grant.
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A small to medium sized enterprise (SME) would be expected to contribute about a third of the costs involved in the project.
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The average annual contribution to the project for an SME would be from just over £20,000.
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A large company would be expected to contribute 50%
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Currently, average annual project costs are around £60,000
How to Apply • National Product • Signposted by Business Link • Apply on KTP website – www.ktponline.org.uk • Access through local University or Further Education College KTP office
• Many Case Studies can be found on national website
The Partnership • One to three years in length • 3-way partnership between – Business –Academia-Associate
• Associate is employed by the academic institution (HE or FE) • Strategically significant project for the business • Associate completes Level 4 Diploma in Management
Short-KTP Pilot • Pilot project in partnership with Cumbria University • 10-40 weeks in duration • Tactical project for business • Could be a precursor for a full KTP • 30-50% match by company (dependant on size) • First 2 partnerships underway