Businesses and voluntary organisations in Newcastle borough are being invited to boost their innovation thanks to new government funding.
The project involves working with 24 businesses and organisations over 24 weeks.
Our mission is to transform local businesses and organisations and help develop a more productive, competitive economy which stimulates growth and creates new jobs.
The Advanced and Digital Technologies Innovation Accelerator project will be delivered by Staffordshire University and is open to businesses large and small. The scheme is also inviting applications from voluntary organisations that can improve their services through advanced and digital technologies.
This follows Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s successful bid for funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is a central pillar of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
Staffordshire University will be working with 24 businesses and organisations over 24 weeks with the aim of developing new and improved products and services using advanced and digital technologies. This will involve providing tailored advice to enable organisations to adopt advanced or digital technology solutions, including artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems, virtual reality and data analytics.
Staffordshire University Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones said: “Our mission is to transform local businesses and organisations and help develop a more productive, competitive economy which stimulates growth and creates new jobs.”
Executive Director of Business Engagement Marek Hornak added: “The interventions will focus on converting innovative ideas into tangible products, services or processes, supported and enabled by advanced and digital technologies.”
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: “Innovation-led growth and technological progress underpins productivity and stimulates a higher-skilled economy. The project will help our businesses and voluntary organisations to experience what is possible with tailored digital and advanced technology support from the University.”
A recent report from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP highlighted that many businesses in Newcastle borough want to invest in innovation and new product development and 22% highlighted that adoption of digital technologies specifically related to innovation will be their priority.
For more information on how to apply, interested parties are encouraged to visit the website or contact Staffordshire University’s Business Engagement Team on 0800 169 2148.