New initiative aims to boost innovation in County Durham
County Durham companies are being urged to take advantage of a new funded support service to boost innovation.
Delivered by Teesside University, Innovate Durham offers advice, mentoring and practical support to SMEs who want to grow by developing new products or services or by introducing new processes into the business.
Its highly successful sister programme, Innovate Tees Valley, has been running for two years and is working to help more than 270 businesses across Teesside.
Innovate Durham, which is part-financed by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund, offers SMEs the services of a dedicated business innovation manager, who will work with them to understand what they want to achieve, identify potential projects, and develop a practical action plan of support.
Services include innovation adviceandsupport,Knowledge ExchangeInternshipsandgraduate placements
Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: “Innovate Durham is a straightforward, accessible way of helping ambitious SMEs meet new challenges and find new ways to innovate and grow.
“Innovate Tees Valley has already helped scores of businesses, and it’s fantastic that we are now able to bring our tried and tested model into County Durham to support local SMEs.
“We hope as many businesses as possible can take advantage of this opportunity and work with us to help grow the North East’s economy.”
Innovate Durham is vailable to businesses in County Durham employing fewer than 250 staff and with an annual turnover of no greater than €50million.
The project has received ERDF funding as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
Visit www.innovatedurham.co.uka.