<![CDATA[Thames Valley IGT News]]> en-uk http://www.innovationgrowth.co.uk/images/logo.gif South East Business Innovation & Growth <![CDATA[Pilot scheme offering a mix of £2k and £4k Innovation Vouchers.]]>  The idea behind this scheme is to promote and enable small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to create or build on innovation and research capabilities through buying support in the form of access to the facilities and expertise within universities and research institutes (known as ‘Knowledge Base organisations’). Both Creative Industry Innovation Vouchers and Sustainability Innovation Vouchers are currently available in the South East  – as long as ‘stocks last’. This is regional development agency funding which is being allocated by public sector agencies in the South East.

 

For information on the Sustainability Voucher and who to contact:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/news/seedavoucherguidnotes.pdf

 

And on the Creative Industries vouchers:

http://www.innovationgrowth.co.uk/download/da663b5780f970c99f35a2ec8efbf4ed 

 

]]> 21st July 2010 <![CDATA[Looking for Young Entrepreneurs in the Thames valley]]>

What constitutes a young entrepreneur? And why enter?

Anyone who is 25 or under, lives, works or studies in the Thames Valley area (Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire) and is running or planning a business for profit or for charitable purposes can enter.

Haines Watts is looking for potential rather than the finished article; great ideas, innovation and business planning – not young millionaires!

There will be prizes awarded at both local and regional levels and this will be made up of a cash sum combined with a year-long business mentoring programme with Haines Watts. Plus, of course, there will be all the associated publicity and lots of advice on offer and other benefits from simply being part of the process.

There will be prizes awarded at both local and regional levels and this will be made up of a cash sum combined with a year-long business mentoring programme with Haines Watts. Plus, of course, there will be all the associated publicity and lots of advice on offer and other benefits from simply being part of the process.

Plus EVERYONE gets FREE access to the Entrepreneur's Circle - see below >>>

To apply: www.hwye.co.uk

]]> 20th July 2010 <![CDATA[Shell Springboard is now open for the sixth round of applications]]> Are you a small businesses who have an innovative product or service that will help address climate change.
  
Since the launch of Shell Springboard in 2005, £1.6million has been awarded to 43 businesses across the UK. Applications are now being accepted for eight £40,000 awards which will be awarded in 2011.

In addition to the eight cash awards, there is an overall UK winner and UK runner up. The UK winner gets 5 days consultancy and help from our award winning PR agency.

To be eligible you must:

  • be based in the UK

  • be an SME by the European definition

  • have been in business for at least three months

To win your product or service must be:

  • innovative

  • commercially viable and;

  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    Apply online www.shellspringboard.org

    by 5pm on the 5th November 2010

 

     

    ]]>     20th July 2010     <![CDATA[Watch list of companies as published in The Business Magazine]]>

    The Watch List : Companies with big potential.

    The A-Z list, complied by the Thames valley Innovation and growth Team, highlight 30 companies that the IGT is currectly working to support. None of them are yet big enough to appear on the Thames valley 250 list itself, but are all businesses with potential to make their mark in their particulr sectors.

    Please  click link to view all listed companies.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ]]>     20th July 2010     <![CDATA[Thames Valley Business Awards 2010]]> Top politician headlines Thames Valley Business Awards 2010

    The search for the region’s top businesses gets under way this month (June) with the launch of the prestigious Thames Valley Business Awards 2010.

     

    Now in their 16th year, the awards celebrate the brightest and the best companies, with categories stretching across the export arena, management team successes and employee satisfaction.

    Headlining this year’s awards ceremony as guest of honour and speaker will be the Rt Hon Lord Paddy Ashdown, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats who now sits as a Liberal peer in the House of Lords.

    The full list of awards is:

    The Business Management Team Award – sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland

    The Dynamic Business Award – sponsored by Deloitte

    The Thames Valley Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Pitmans

    The Best Company to Work For – sponsored by Vail Williams

    SME of the Year Award – sponsored by James Cowper

    The Thames Valley Export Award – sponsored by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East

    The awards presentation will be held on November 18 at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium, Reading, with around 300 of the region’s business leaders and top companies expected to attend.

    Enter online at www.businessawards.co.uk or email alison@straightpr.co.uk for further information.  The closing date is September 30.

     

    ]]>     11th June 2010