Wednesday 13 Aug 2008 @ 09:55
London Development Agency
London Development Agency
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Small businesses to benefit from London ‘Knowledge Base’
London’s small businesses are to get help to bring innovative new products to the market following the launch of ‘Knowledge Connect’ – a new business support programme from the London Development Agency (LDA).
Knowledge Connect will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get in touch with universities, further education colleges and private sector specialists to develop new business opportunities.
Knowledge transfer is at the centre of London's economy enabling the transfer of ideas and skills between the capital’s 43 higher education institutions universities, other knowledge base organisations, businesses and the wider community. This promotes the development of innovative new products and services - enhancing the performance and competitiveness of London’s businesses.
The £3.5 million London-wide programme will provide grants of up to £3000 for activities such as initial testing, product service development or proof of concept, with grants of up to £10,000 (which require 50% match funding) to support the delivery of in-depth, collaborative projects.
The service is available to businesses anywhere in the Greater London area and is focused primarily on organisations employing between 4 and 50 employees who have not previously collaborated with the ‘knowledge base’.
Deputy Chief Executive of the LDA, Sarah Ebanja, said:
“Knowledge Connect will enable SMEs tap into the huge amount of invaluable knowledge and know-how that universities have developed. It will encourage innovation and creativity and enable businesses to safely invest in research and development projects with less financial risk.”
The three year programme will work with 1,600 enterprises and provide a combination of inspirational workshops and 1-2-1 mentoring. Businesses will be able to apply for support via the Knowledge Connect website www.knowledgeconnect.org.uk
For media enquiries, please contact Luke Robinson at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8069; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000; for out of hours media enquiries, please call 07977 439 371.
Notes for editors
1. The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners - working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth
2. Knowledge Connect is being run in partnership with Angle Technology http://www.angletechnology.com/
3. Businesses applying for a grant must employ a minimum of four people.
4. Businesses may only apply for grant funding once (I.E. no repeat funding).
5. Knowledge Connect has secured European Regional Development Fund funding which will increase the budget in September to £5.6 Million over 3 years.
For further information please contact:
Robert Beasley, Acting Head of Media
Tel: 020 7593 8437 Mob: 07790 907568 robertbeasley@lda.gov.uk LDA out of hours: 07977 439371 Public enqs: 020 7593 9000
Knowledge Connect will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get in touch with universities, further education colleges and private sector specialists to develop new business opportunities.
Knowledge transfer is at the centre of London's economy enabling the transfer of ideas and skills between the capital’s 43 higher education institutions universities, other knowledge base organisations, businesses and the wider community. This promotes the development of innovative new products and services - enhancing the performance and competitiveness of London’s businesses.
The £3.5 million London-wide programme will provide grants of up to £3000 for activities such as initial testing, product service development or proof of concept, with grants of up to £10,000 (which require 50% match funding) to support the delivery of in-depth, collaborative projects.
The service is available to businesses anywhere in the Greater London area and is focused primarily on organisations employing between 4 and 50 employees who have not previously collaborated with the ‘knowledge base’.
Deputy Chief Executive of the LDA, Sarah Ebanja, said:
“Knowledge Connect will enable SMEs tap into the huge amount of invaluable knowledge and know-how that universities have developed. It will encourage innovation and creativity and enable businesses to safely invest in research and development projects with less financial risk.”
The three year programme will work with 1,600 enterprises and provide a combination of inspirational workshops and 1-2-1 mentoring. Businesses will be able to apply for support via the Knowledge Connect website www.knowledgeconnect.org.uk
For media enquiries, please contact Luke Robinson at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8069; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000; for out of hours media enquiries, please call 07977 439 371.
Notes for editors
1. The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners - working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth
2. Knowledge Connect is being run in partnership with Angle Technology http://www.angletechnology.com/
3. Businesses applying for a grant must employ a minimum of four people.
4. Businesses may only apply for grant funding once (I.E. no repeat funding).
5. Knowledge Connect has secured European Regional Development Fund funding which will increase the budget in September to £5.6 Million over 3 years.
For further information please contact:
Robert Beasley, Acting Head of Media
Tel: 020 7593 8437 Mob: 07790 907568 robertbeasley@lda.gov.uk LDA out of hours: 07977 439371 Public enqs: 020 7593 9000
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