Innovation

If you want to develop new ideas but are unsure where to turn Innovate UK could support your business to do just that. They will help you look at the potential of these ideas and how you can turn them into commercially successful products. Innovate UK can put you in touch with partners, customers and investors who might support this development and also fund business and research collaborations to accelerate innovation.

The Innovation Centre offers a space for local freelancers and entrepreneurs to launch and grow their business. Located on campus there’s a co-working café with free membership where users have access to computers and informal meeting areas. You can also hire meeting rooms or rent office space here.

The Hub works closely with industry to accelerate innovation by turning great research and business ideas into innovative products, services and processes. They offer heavily subsidised or free innovation and incubation support for qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises and recent graduates looking to start-up.

Loughborough University offers a wide range of services to businesses including support to develop innovative new products and processes to boost growth. The iNet supports a range of sectors including advanced manufacturing and engineering, creative industries, food and drink manufacturing, logistics and distribution, low carbon, space and satellite applications, textile manufacturing and transport with capital and revenue funding for innovation and growth projects.

Ensure you have the right type of intellectual property protection for your business assets. Copyright, patents, designs and trademarks are all types of intellectual property protection. You get some types of protection automatically, others you must apply for. The IPO is the official UK government body responsible for IP rights. Visit this site for guidance.

The Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) helps businesses get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries. The focus is on economic growth in the UK through speeding up innovation, solving problems and finding markets for new business ideas. From agri-food to autonomous systems and from energy to design, KTN combines in-depth knowledge in all sectors and specialises in cross-sector collaboration. Connecting with KTN can lead you to potential partners, horizon-expanding events, bespoke support and innovation insights relevant to your needs.

This is an independent, East Midlands-based consultancy working with R&D and technology focussed companies. Their site lists current grant funding available and also has an online R&D tax credits calculator.