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The Centre for Innovation and Future Skills (CIFS) Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK.
Our innovation programme aims to provide valuable support and guidance to businesses to develop their ideas and grow their businesses nationally and internationally.
CIFS Innovation Programme
After a successful pilot in 2023-24, we are excited to launch Innovation programme 2024-25. A fully funded 6-month programme to support and empower local Herefordshire businesses to develop their ideas and grow their business.
CIFS Innovation Programme is a bespoke partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation and the UK’s innovation agency. Businesses are provided with individual, tailored support from an assigned Innovation and Growth Specialist whose mission is to help companies to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, services and processes. The programme also includes 6 monthly full-day sessions that cover key topics from ideation to marketing and commercialisation. The businesses will get 1-1 support and mentoring throughout the programme and continued support from Innovate UK after the programme including signposting to relevant funding opportunities within Innovate UK and further afield.
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CIFS Innovation Programme 2024 - 2025
Applications are open from Thursday 12 September 2024 for local businesses. The application deadline is 5pm, Monday 11 November 2024. For any questions or for further information, please email futureskills@nmite.ac.uk.
“The innovation support programme was a game changer for Services for Independent Living (SIL). The level of consultancy was excellent, and the diversity and professional background of guest speakers was impressive. The organisational learning that we gained was significant and the traction this gave us in advancing our business project was unprecedented. The atmosphere of the sessions and ongoing engagement was so supportive and upbeat, we will genuinely miss the team at NMITE and Innovate UK. It was six months that were well spent in terms of outputs for SIL but also a really enjoyable, insightful and life affirming experience. I can’t recommend the programme highly enough.”