University of Staffordshire has secured government funding to help local businesses boost their innovation
This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses – large or small – to access the wealth of expertise here at University of Staffordshire to convert their ideas into tangible products, services or processes.
Following the success of its Advanced and Digital Technologies Accelerator (ADTIA) programme, the University has been awarded more than £120k of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding through Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to continue the scheme for another 12 months.
Exclusively available to SMEs, large businesses and charities in the Newcastle-under-Lyme area, the 24-week initiative offers fully-funded support for businesses looking to develop or adopt digital or advanced technologies.
Benefits include a dedicated University of Staffordshire student or graduate intern, plus expert academics and innovation advisors for the duration of the project.
Over the past two years, the University has supported 20 local businesses to bring numerous new products and services to market, and adopt new technologies or processes.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones said: “We are thrilled to receive further UKSPF funding to continue this initiative. Driving innovation not only helps individual businesses but also contributes to the wider economic growth of the region. Stimulating growth through investment in research and development will have a knock on effect on creating jobs in the area as well.”
Project Manager Justin Pover added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses – large or small – to access the wealth of expertise here at University of Staffordshire to convert their ideas into tangible products, services or processes.
“100% of businesses that we’ve worked with agreed that their student intern brought in new skills and knowledge that the business lacked. We have seen some great successes throughout the initiative and we are excited to see what more can be achieved.”
Businesses that have previously benefitted from the scheme include Staffordshire Precision Engineering Ltd.
Managing Director Gary Smith said: “Our company is always investing in the latest technology but we recognised that there was an area of the business that we needed to bring up to speed and digitise. By working with the University, the placement student really helped us to move that project forward. The solution that was implemented at the end of the project has made some really big efficiency improvements in the business.”
Limited spaces for the Advanced and Digital Technologies Accelerator (ADTIA) are now available and businesses are encouraged to apply ASAP to avoid disappointment. Please contact employers@staffs.ac.uk for more information.