Sussex Innovation launches Innovation Masters programme alongside a new look and a fresh focus on purpose-led businesses

Sussex Innovation launches the Innovation Masters programme alongside a new look and a fresh focus on purpose-led businesses

n £530,000 UK Community Renewal Fund project will deliver innovation coaching to hundreds of East Sussex companies ranging from start-up to scale-up n Programme set to launch in 2022 with 105 businesses targeted for intensive support n Net Zero and Covid recovery will be central to renewed focus on ‘innovation with impact’

Sussex Innovation has announced its winning bid to the UK Community Renewal Fund, which will provide £530,000 in funding to help the county’s business community unlock its potential for innovation.

The Innovation Masters programme will involve a variety of activities purpose-built to respond to the needs of businesses at different stages of their journey: n An Innovation Hit Squad to provide targeted, long-term consultative support for five of East Sussex’s highest potential mid-sized businesses, helping to harness untapped resources, embed innovative practices and develop new ideas.

n Master Sessions with specialist mentoring and group workshops to help 50 fast-growing SMEs improve creativity, productivity and skills throughout their team. n A digital Lean Innovation training course for more than 600 early-stage and micro businesses to diagnose gaps in their experience and develop their skills, supplemented by one-to-one coaching.

n An Investment Bootcamp to support 50 local businesses with developing a business plan and pitching their product with the aim of raising £100,000+ equity funding.

As well as drawing upon Sussex Innovation’s in-house team of expert consultants, participating businesses will also get the unique opportunity to potentially access a rich pool of academics and PhD students from the University’s schools and research groups, including the world-leading Science Policy Research Unit, Digital Futures at Work Research Centre, Data Intensive Science Centre, UK Trade Policy Observatory and University of Sussex Business School.

The new programme will be part of the most radical shake-up of Sussex Innovation’s identity in its 25-year history, as the organisation rebrands with a focus on harnessing its track record of insightful research, inspirational coaching and innovative ideas to shape a better future.

“We’re in a new era, where enterprise can and must think differently and make our world better,” says Nigel Lambe, Chief Executive of Sussex Innovation. “Backed by the history of our region, and of the University of Sussex as a pioneering force in fighting for social and environmental causes, we are renewing our commitment to help our region’s truly game-changing businesses grow and deliver greater impact.

❛❛ We’re in a new era, where enterprise can and must think differently and make our world better ❜❜

Nigel Lambe, Chief Executive of Sussex Innovation than playing safe with the ideas and community we nurture, we knew that we wanted to use our position and our influence to help enact positive change.

“As the UK responds to the twin shocks of the pandemic and our exit from the EU, there have been calls for a ‘green recovery’ to create jobs and stimulate the economy while answering the call to fight back against a looming climate emergency. We’re excited to play our part in supporting that ambition, but we don’t plan to stop there.”

“When we began thinking about this relaunch back in 2019, we thought long and hard about the purpose of incubators and accelerators like ours in society,” says Helena Jevons, Head of Sales and Marketing for Sussex Innovation. “Our job is fundamentally different to a VC looking for commercial ROI, and we should be bold enough to bet on smart, radical ideas. Rather “We’re looking for like-minded scaleups with real purpose to join us on this journey. That purpose might be environmental action, new education systems, protecting physical health and emotional wellbeing, fighting for social equality, or harnessing emerging technologies like AI and big data for good. We want to bring transformative thinking together and work to turn pioneering ideas into commercially sustainable reality.”

As part of this drive, core modules on the new coaching and mentoring programme will focus on not-for-profit innovation, increasing social and environmental impact and delivering against the UK’s Net Zero strategy.

Visit www.sinc.co.uk

From creating magical memories, to helping families through some of their toughest times, Chestnut Tree House needs you this festive season. We’ve put together some of our favourite festive fundraising ideas below to get you in the festive spirit and support your local children’s hospice

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

WITH CHESTNUT TREE HOUSE

n Recycle your Christmas tree for Chestnut Tree This winter, businesses and residents in Sussex can get their Christmas trees collected (between January 8th-11th 2022) in return for a donation to Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. Visit www.just-helping.org.uk/registertree to sign up now. Registration closes at midnight on Wednesday January 5th 2022.

n Host a Christmas quiz Release your inner quiz master by hosting a Christmas quiz and asking colleagues to donate to play. n Festive volunteering Chestnut Tree House is also seeking individuals and businesses with vans, lorries, and everything in between to give their time to the Christmas Tree recycling scheme. If you’re looking for a team-building opportunity, then this is perfect for you! If you would like to get involved, please email volunteers@stbh.org.uk.

n Have a bake off Mince pies, gingerbread or yule log – get everyone to bake their favourite festive treats and crown the winner Star Baker. Dish out your delicacies at the end and ask for a donation. n Buy your Christmas cards Don’t forget to send your colleagues a Christmas card. You can browse the range of Chestnut Tree House Christmas cards on their website!

n Deck your desk Whether you’re at home or in the office, break out the baubles and hold a Deck Your Desk competition. Charge a small entry fee and be sure to vote for your favourite festive makeover.

n Donate to the Christmas appeal Will you donate today and help families like Harry’s create magical memories this Christmas time?

MEET HARRY

Harry was born prematurely with pulmonary hypertension and a hole in his heart. As well as these life-limiting illnesses, Harry was born with Downs syndrome. He needs constant care – care that requires specialist medical knowledge.

When Chestnut Tree House nurse Laura visits, the family get to stop being carers, and focus on just being parents, siblings or grandparents. They get to play with him, like any other families do.

You can help families like Harry’s spend time decorating Christmas trees and getting into the festive spirit – instead of fixing feeding tubes and managing care. A Christmas gift of £70 could help pay for a weekend or evening care visit to a child’s home.