North East SME Innovation Programme
The SME Innovation Programme is designed to help SME’s realise their innovation potential. It offers project funding and advice for eligible SMEs with an innovative project that will help their business to adapt and/or grow. Today, we need innovation more than ever. Every business is feeling the pressures of globalisation, technological changes and of course the impact of Covid19.
The SME Innovation Programme offers:
- 40% grant funding for projects from £5,000 to £40,000.
- Signposting to industry experts for independent confidential advice.
What is business innovation?
For us, innovation is the process of using new ideas and technology to improve a business. It doesn’t have to be a ground-breaking idea, just something new to the business to help it to survive and adjust to new market conditions. The ultimate goal of innovation is to reinvigorate a business, creating new value and boosting growth and productivity.
What types of project are supported?
- Developing a new product, service or process.
- Exploring a new business model or adopting new technologies (e.g. bespoke software and digital innovations).
To find out more about innovation support...
Who is eligible?
- North East based SMEs - Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham areas only.
- Trading for at least 12 months.
- Operating business-to-business (B2B) i.e. selling products or services to other businesses.
- Project costs that can be covered are the purchase of external expertise and prototyping for a project that is commercially viable and will make a positive impact (i.e. create jobs).
We're unable to fund:
- Brochure Website or App development (but we can fund innovative bespoke platform development).
- Running costs such as rent or wages.
- Materials or capital items.
- CRM systems.
Not sure if you're eligible?
The Innovation Team are very happy to answer your questions. In the meantime, check out the FAQs and scroll down to find out about some of the great innovation projects that we have supported.
Innovation Case Studies
FAQs
We’re able to offer 40% of the value of your project, and the maximum project value is £40,000, therefore a £16,000 grant. Project values must range between £5,000 and £40,000.
An SME a is small or medium sized enterprise. As defined by the EU funders, ERDF, it is also a business with fewer than 250 employees, and a turnover of less than €50 million, or a balance sheet total of less than €43 million.
Innovative projects – your business must be able to demonstrate that you have an innovative idea, that is new to your business or to the market. It can be used for the development of products, processes and services within most sectors. New technology is often the core of the project, however, existing technology may be utilised in an inventive and pioneering way.
Meet the Innovation team
Gillian Middleton
Innovation Manager
Debbie Simpson
Innovation Adviser
Get in touch
Supporting a wide range of sectors, the Innovation Team will guide you through the grant application process. They will also help you to structure an innovation project which aims to provide your business with a competitive edge and growth potential.
The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has received £1,307,145 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund for the North East SME Innovation Programme 2 as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
