Rail Alliance

Exploiting the Opportunity

Gary DimmockWBSC Manager

Business Potential • Growing Sector• Investment in Infrastructure and Rolling

Stock• Existing Network and HS2

• “The numbers keep changing but the constant in this Industry is that it is a big number” – Colin Flack Rail Alliance

Exploiting the Opportunity

•Currently working with the Rail Sector•Diversify in to the Rail Sector •Developing New Products •New Markets for Existing products •Looking to grow your Business

Business Support and

Funded Programmes Wolverhampton Business Solutions

Centre

WBSC Support Offer

• Business Assessment and Consultancy

• Assessment of current position • Review of Strategic Plan • Action plan to move the business forward• Aligning with appropriate support

WBSC Support Offer • Pre and New Start Business

• Full package of support and advice• Business and Strategic Planning

• Creating a vision and direction• New Product Development and Innovation

• Design and Market testing • Caparo Innovation Centre

• New Market Development and Exporting• Links to UKTI• Identifying target market and avoiding the pitfalls

WBSC Support Offer

• Apprenticeship• Access to education and Training for Existing apprentices• Apprentice matching

• Leadership and Management• Management development and CPD

• Advise and support on Funding• Development and support initiatives

• Access to Finance• Identifying Finance Availability• Advise on Finance Applications

Support Programmes

• Support Programmes and Guidance

• Complex landscape for Business Support• Alignment of Business Need and Support • Working with Partner and External Programmes

Innovation 1st

Breaking Down Technological Boundaries

•Introduction to basic and advanced technology for businesses•Identification of routes to technology option•A minimum of 12 hours free assistance with technology•Events and networking opportunities•Sector specific campaigns•Access to wider business networks and collaborative partnerships

Businesses are welcome to come and visit our visualisation centre at the Science Park

KEEN, business improvement programme, part-funded by ERDF, designed to assist West Midlands SMEs increase profitability and growth.

• Fast approval process (3 weeks from application)• Business process and marketing may be eligible• Mentor graduate in post• Apply knowledge and expertise• Feed experience back in teaching• Find out more: www.wlv.ac.uk/keen

KEENKnowledge Exchange & Enterprise Network

Caparo Innovation Centre

“The Caparo Innovation Centre offers new product development consultancy services”

Services designed to pre-empt, identify and resolve challenges businesses encounter when developing and commercialising new products.

Services are organised around the Stagegate process used widely within industry.

Applicable to UK businesses no size restrictions.Contact Prof. Andrew Pollard Tel: 01902 321763 or cic@wlv.ac.uk

IPSSInnovative Product Support Service

“The IPSS programme supports businesses through the early stages of developing a new product or process.”

Businesses will initially receive a 2-day review of their proposed product or technology.

A further 4-days of funded support is available for those businesses with the most viable propositions

Support includes: product design, IP advice, electronics development, market research and NPD planning

I-UEN The Innovation University Enterprise Network

Collaborate to Innovate – The Innovation University Enterprise Network (IUEN)

“I-UEN provides support for businesses looking to work collaboratively to develop and commercialise new products ”

Provides a minimum of 2-days of fully funded supportSupport includes: guidance on introducing Open Innovation within your business, intellectual property reviews, commercial and technical viability studies, market research, guidance on IP licensing agreements, identification of potential collaborative partners. Contact Gavin Smeilus Tel: 01902 321765 or cic@wlv.ac.uk

Green Shoots Programme • Regional Growth Fund • Capex Support Programme• Key Requirements

– Creating Sustainable Growth in the Private Sector– Increased Turnover and Profits – To Support Projects that have been refused Funding

• Key Outcomes – Creation of Employment– Safeguarding of Employment

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Green Shoots Programme • Awards Between £10k and £50k• Cannot obtain funding from a other source other than a

grant• Funding for capital projects for SMEs• Restricted to Black Country Businesses • Investment made must be maintained in the region for a

minimum of 3 years • Maximum 30.2% grant contribution

Open for Applications 9th December

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Growing Key Sectors(Complimentary to GS Programme) • Awards Between £50k and £1m• Cannot obtain funding from a other source other

than a grant• Funding for capital projects for SMEs• Restricted to Black Country Businesses • Investment made must be maintained in the region

for a minimum of 3 years • Maximum 30.2% grant contribution

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Built Environment Climate Change Initiative (BECCI)• One to one mentoring support to “Carbon Reduction

Innovators” (CRI)• Accessing specialist equipment & facilities at the

University of Wolverhampton and Coventry University.• Linking up with Special Interest Thematic Groups• Making use of Climate Change Building Innovation

Seminars • Entering Stakeholder supported Industry Challenges• Modelling of innovations to predict performance• Taking part in Climate Change Technology Showcases

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Coming Soon

Black Country Gold – Launch January 2014 Consultancy and Capex support Programme – to

support business growth and increased employment

Growth Hub (2014) Planned programme to provide high level support

to key businesses

Next Steps

• Interested in Progressing

• Contact WBSC• Talk to Any of the Project Teams Here Today• Arrange a Visit With are Advisors

Contact Details

Contact Desk 01902 321272 Enguiries@wolverhamptonbsc.com

Jac Taylor 07964115086 J.Taylor4@wlv.ac.uk

Gary Dimmock 07794286449 g.dimmock@wlv.ac.uk

Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre

Gary DimmockWBSC Manager

WBSC Facilities

• Large Seminar Room

• Small Meeting Rooms

• Board Room Style

WBSC Facilities • Casual Meeting Area

• With Free Wi Fi• Tea / Coffee

• CAD Training Facilities . • Access to CAD &Software

Visualisation Centres

Telford and Wolverhampton

Events and Seminars

Full Programme of Events HR and Legal Issues Awareness and Information Political Debates Development Seminars Business Matters Seminars

Business Solution Centre • Award Winners

Any Questions