£1.4million Fund Launched To Help Local Business To Work Together

Tees Valley Combined Authority | Published on: 10th September 2019

The Tees Valley Mayor has today launched a new £1.4million fund for organisations in the region to help them work together on collaborative projects.

Over the three-year period, it will support micro and small to medium sized enterprises to work together, along with universities, large companies and public bodies, to introduce new innovations.

The fund will support businesses looking to bring new products and processes to market, improve productivity, create new jobs, reduce carbon and grow Tees Valley’s economy.

Funding is available for firms for activities including business planning, market research, proof of concept, feasibility studies, pilot actions and demonstrations as well as technology advancements and digitalisation.

Grants are available to businesses at all stages of collaboration, whether a strong working partnership already exists or a company is exploring opportunities for support or direction.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our industries in the Tees Valley and the good jobs many people have today come from innovations and inventions made right here, in chemicals, materials and other technologies. This fund is an investment in getting local firms closer to the ideas and products that will grow our economy and create the jobs of the future.

“We’re putting our money where our mouth is and investing in our innovators and jobs creators to make them even more effective.

“I visit great Tees Valley businesses every week and I’m blown away by the innovation and great ideas we have. Now we want to encourage more great local firms to work together on what could be the next big idea.”

The Collaborative Networks Programme Grant Application Pack is available to download from the Tees Valley Combined Authority website – www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk\collaborative-networks

The initiative supports collaboration across the region’s seven priority sectors identified in the Tees Valley Strategic Economic Plan, including Advanced Manufacturing; Process, Chemicals and Energy; Logistics; Health and Biologics; Digital and Creative; Culture & Leisure; Business and Professional Services. Cross-sector collaborations that support industrial digitisation and the circular economy are particularly encouraged.

Information sessions will be held across Tees Valley to assist applicants to understand the application process. Events are taking place at:

  • Darlington, Centre for Professional and Executive Development – 17/09/2019, 10.00am – 1.00pm
  • Hartlepool, The BIS – 18/09/2019, 10.00am – 1.00pm
  • Stockton, Cavendish House – 19/09/2019, 1.00pm – 4.00pm
  • Middlesbrough, Teesside University – 24/09/2019, 10.00am – 1.00pm
  • Redcar, Kirkleatham Innovation Centre – 9/10/2019, 10.00am – 1.00pm

If you have any queries, please contact the Technology and Innovation Team: [email protected] Tel. 01642 527701 or by post to Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cavendish House, Teesdale Business Park, Stockton-on-Tees, Tees Valley, TS17 6QY.

 

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