A flash of inspiration for small businesses from University of Greenwich
London-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now benefit from a new initiative offered by the University of Greenwich.
The FLASH Innovation programme sees academic staff lending their knowledge and skills to help businesses become more innovative and sustainable, and thereby enhance their productivity and growth.
Businesses can participate in one or more different free activities, including monthly workshops, innovation coaching, innovation and sustainability support services and networking opportunities. Day-long interactive FLASH Innovation workshops are designed to enhance the innovation and business development capacity of SMEs. They are a chance for businesses to share ideas and take away practical tips and tools for use in their business practice.
Follow-up support and one-to-one coaching is available to attendees. There are also competitive innovation vouchers available for SMEs who need specialist support from a university expert in innovation and sustainability on a small-scale, high value project for their business growth.
The vouchers are available to support about 100 eligible London-based SMEs, and those attending workshops will be given priority.
Finally there is the Innovation Club, which will hold a series of networking events where ideas and experiences can be shared and collaborations forged. The first such event will be held on Tuesday 7 June, with a confirmed keynote speaker from the Technology Strategy Board who will talk about the latest grants opportunities for businesses to develop innovative products and services. Invited business speakers will share their innovation/sustainability experiences at the event and attendees will have the chance to network with businesses across London region.
Martin Davies, Director of Greenwich Research & Enterprise, says: “Often SMEs have limited resources to benefit from outside expertise that can help them to develop business opportunities around issues of sustainability and innovation. This is where we come into play. The programme is one of a number of ways the university uses its resources and research to benefit the wider community.
“FLASH Innovation will expose SMEs not only to the skills and knowledge contained within a leading university, but also to social and professional networks that will enable them to build bridges with the communities they serve.”
Dr Harry Hatzakis, CEO of Biotronics3D , a supplier of medical devices, adds: “In a fast moving market like ours, no company has enough resources or skills in-house to maintain a position at the forefront of innovation. It is important to leverage skills that exist outside the company in the delivery of products or services. Our participation in the FLASH Innovation programme has been very beneficial, not only for providing us a solid framework for developing and exploiting our ideas, but also for the networking opportunities with other companies.”
The FLASH Innovation programme forms part of the Institute for Sustainability's FLASH project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The FLASH Innovation programme is co-ordinated by Greenwich Research & Enterprise with the contribution of the university's School of Architecture & Construction and the Business School.
For further information about any of the above please contact Canmei Tao, Project Manager, FLASH Innovation, via email: enterprise@gre.ac.uk, telephone: 020 8331 7867 or visit www.enterprise.gre.ac.uk/flash.
Caron Jones
Head of Public Relations
020-8331 8248
For details of the out of hours press officer, call: 020-8331 8428
