An initiative offering fully funded support for businesses to boost their innovation will continue for another 12 months thanks to receiving further backing.
University of Staffordshire has been awarded more than £120,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding through Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
Exclusively available to SMEs, large businesses and charities in the Newcastle area, the 24-week initiative supports 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.
Twenty local businesses have been supported over the past two years, bringing numerous new products and services to market.
Project Manager Justin Pover said: “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 per cent 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.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones added: “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.”
Staffordshire Precision Engineering is one business that has benefitted from the Advanced and Digital Technologies Accelerator (ADTIA) scheme.
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 are available so businesses are encouraged to reply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Email employers@staffs.ac.uk for more information.
