Carbon Literacy Training - For businesses based in Staffordshire, this fully funded short (4 x 2hr sessions) online course provides individuals with an awareness of climate related impacts their activities have. It will also provide them with the knowledge and motivation to make reductions to greenhouse gas emissions. New dates have been announced to take place before 31 March after which the scheme will end.
Staffordshire Business and Environmental Network (SBEN) - Tools to help reduce your business’s carbon footprint including a sustainability mapper, a carbon tracker, carbon literacy training, free membership and networking
Borrow a free CO2 monitor - small businesses in Staffordshire are being offered the opportunity to borrow a hand-held carbon dioxide (C02) monitor free for two weeks to help spot areas of high C02 that indicate poorer air quality and a higher risk of Covid-19 spreading.
Creative Lab - offered by Staffordshire University, the Creative Lab is a platform for ideas and business model generation, scaling up and new product or process design. It is a workspace that provides access to specialist and collaborative facilities where students, innovative thinkers, start-ups and SMEs can benefit from a digitally enhanced environment and university expertise.
Staffordshire University Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) - a KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, the University, and a recently qualified graduate to collaborate on a business opportunity, idea or innovation and supports companies to drive innovation through the development of new digital products, processes and services. SMEs can claim grant support at 67% towards project costs and for large companies 50%.
Staffordshire University Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (mKTP) - specifically for growth orientated businesses with up to 500 employees, the focus of a mKTP is specifically on delivering human-centred and/or technology - enabled, strategic change. Up to 67% funding is available depending on the size of the business.
Staffordshire Advanced Manufacturing, Prototyping and Innovation Demonstrator programme (SAMPID) - This programme is open to SMEs in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire area who are looking to drive innovation across the advanced manufacturing sectors. It helps businesses to realise their potential by offering a bespoke package to support the development of a product, ready for commercialisation.
Staffordshire Connected and Intelligent Mobility Innovation (SCIMIA) - For SME who sell to other businesses, SCIMIA is a collaborative project with Staffordshire University to develop innovative solutions for the intelligent mobility market being the smarter, green and more efficient movement of people and goods around the world.
Staffordshire Higher Skills and Engagement Pathways (SHSEP) and Staffordshire E-Skills and Entrepreneurship Gateway (SEGway) programmes - offer a variety of continuous professional development courses to help transform the leadership, management, entrepreneurial, digital and technical skills for a business and its employees.
Hatchery and Incubation Office Spaces - Office space of all sizes based in Stafford is available to rent through Staffordshire University. Through this, businesses can gain access to academic expertise, specialist equipment, training courses, business mentors and so much more.
Department of International Trade (DIT) - Whether you’re interested in exporting for the first time, or an experienced exporter, support from the UK Government’s DIT can help your business to grow in new markets.
Keele University Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) - this programme is designed to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through better use of knowledge, technology and skills. A KTP is a three-way project partnership between a business, Keele University and a recently-qualified high-calibre graduate. Up to 67% of the total KTP budget for SMEs is met by Government funding (for larger companies, this is up to 50%). In certain cases, the KTP may also be eligible for Research and Development tax credits.
Business Bridge Programme - For SMEs looking to grow their business in the Healthcare and Medical Supply Chain. Through innovation vouchers worth between £2,000 - £3,000, this programme offers specialist business support by providing access to advisors to explore new markets, collaborate with academic experts and benefit from unique access to specialist facilities.
The Base Camp Programme - a two-day workshop giving you the tools, insights and guidance to access funding for your business ideas and development. This fully funded Base Camp features expert speakers from different funding providers and includes guidance on creating a compelling pitch and financial plan to support your funding application. Open to innovative and ambitious early-stage small business owners and entrepreneurs who are based in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) - Access to a specialist researcher and academic expert for those wanting their business to become more sustainable and energy efficient.
Research and Innovation Support Programme - For SMEs with an innovative idea that has the potential to grow the business. Short, sharp high-impact interventions at no cost to SMEs, giving them access to research, knowledge, techniques, or technology that can help to drive the business forward.
The Skills Support for the Workforce Programme (SSW) - helps support small and medium businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to upskill their employees with training courses and qualifications to help their business grow and boost the local economy.