Connected Innovation: Supporting the growth of our Innovation Ecosystem
The East of England’s innovation ecosystem is thriving, with various initiatives supporting businesses as well as creative and tech start-ups.
The Connected Innovation team has been actively engaging with businesses across the region’s innovation ecosystem over the last month. We have been active at events locally, regionally and nationally including an Innovation Drop-In Clinic with the Innovate UK Business Growth team at St John’s Innovation Centre; the Made Smarter East of England launch, helping manufacturing SMEs leverage digital technologies; and the Barclays Eagle Labs celebration event for programmes which have supported regional tech ecosystems.
As the deadline looms for the two Innovate UK Create Growth Competitions, we have partnered with the Innovation Grant Mentoring Project to deliver three workshops across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire supporting 22 creative industries businesses looking to secure this locked-off funding. Over the previous 3 rounds, Norfolk and Suffolk’s creative industries businesses have landed over £560,000.
Connected Innovation, together with Norfolk & Suffolk County Councils, continue to fund the Future Tech Programme. Delivery partners Akcela Ventures and Innovation Labs Group are supporting early-stage tech founders from concept to MVP to raise – with over £1.1m raised in investment and c.£5m being pitched for.
The Suffolk cohort recently pitched at The Future Tech Programme Demo Showcase at the XR Labs in Bury St Edmunds, organised by the Innovation Labs.
In November, Connected Innovation is taking six start-ups from the Future Tech Programme to Slush in Helsinki, the world’s leading start-up event, where they will network with investors and industry leaders.
Connected Innovation is driving forward Norfolk & Suffolk’s innovation ecosystem, ensuring we land support for innovative businesses in the region to start, scale and succeed. We are working actively with national partners such as Innovate UK through the Local Action Plan for Norfolk & Suffolk, Government Departments (DSIT and DBT) and national support partners to promote our assets and opportunities for more support!
Finally, we finished the month by sponsoring and exhibiting at the Norwich Games Festival, continuing our support for the gaming industry and community across the region (with a new Games Report announced).
We look forward to promoting Norfolk and Suffolk at London Tech Week where we have been invited to multiple events by national and international partners and Government Departments.
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