Digital Business Briefing

August 2014

What is this briefing?• A digest of useful information for digital

businesses seeking funding and support, updated every month

• Brought to you by the following organisations:

Contents

• Open funding calls• Forthcoming funding calls• Support for launching a new digital business• Existing digital businesses• Events• Training

Open funding calls1. "Smart" grants for start-ups and small businessesKey feature: A grant scheme which offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology.Scale:• Proof of market - up to £25k - 60% of project cost• Proof of concept - up to £100k - 60% of project cost• Prototype development - up to £250k - up to 45% of

project costCloses: 25th September 2014

More info on innovateuk.org

Open funding calls2. Tech City Launchpad 2 - Internet of Things

Key features:• Grants to support micro, small and medium sized

businesses in and around London and Cambridge to work on industrial Internet of Things projects.

• Additional support to raise investment finance.• Delivered in partnership with large-scale industry partnersScale:• Up to £150k grants funding up to 60% project costs• Projects must be between £50-£250k

Closes: 3rd September 2014

More info on innovateuk.org

Open funding calls3. An integrated future for citiesKey feature: large-scale SBRI contracts to encourage new ways of achieving better integration of infrastructure and services across a city. Contracts will be to develop prototypes, must link up cities and will enable users to interact with multiple models to tackle different city problems.

Scale:• Contracts of between £1.5 - 2m – 100% funded• Single contract, but able to sub-contract out work

Closes: registration closes on 7 January 2015

More info on innovateuk.org

Open funding calls4. Innovation VouchersKey feature: Innovation voucher scheme funding for start-up, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to work with an external expert to gain the knowledge to innovate and grow.

Scale:• Up to £5k funding for SMEs

Closes: on 22 October 2014

More info on innovateuk.org

Open funding calls5. Impact investment - NestaKey feature: An equity investment fund investing in social ventures with innovative products or services that are addressing some of the UK’s most pressing challenges. Investments are made in areas that tackle:

• the health and wellbeing of an ageing population• the educational attainment and employability of children

and young people• the social and environmental sustainability of communities.Scale: between £150k - £1m

Closes: ongoing

More info on Nesta Investments

Forthcoming funding callsIC tomorrow Connected Cities

Key feature: Grant funding to work with industrial partners to develop new solutions for connected cities

Scale:• Up to £25k grants, 100% funded• Specifically for micro, small or medium sized businesses

Opens: 1st September 2014

More info on innovateuk.org

Launching a new digital business?

• The Open Data Institute runs a start-up programme that helps start-ups build business models around open data

• Tech City UK offers advice and support to start-ups looking for guidance in and around London. It also endorses visa applications to help recruit talent to the UK.

• IC tomorrow connects start-ups and SMEs with leading commercial partners and investors, through funded contests, events, and strategic matchmaking opportunities.

• Transmit Start Ups provide financial support and mentoring to creative and digital entrepreneurs that would not normally be available via traditional banking relationships.

Are you an existing digital business seeking non-financial advice or support?• Nesta runs a creative business mentor network for

digital businesses looking to grow

• The UKTI offers advice to help with exporting

• Tech City UK can help advise on inward investment

• The British Business Angels Association can help put you in touch with relevant business angel investors

• The Digital Catapult can help you showcase your business

Are you an existing digital business seeking advice or support?• Subsidised costs to work with a specialist to build

and deliver business growth – GrowthAccelerator

• Email IP Audit to apply for up to £3k of free advice from an IP professional

• Finance finder from GOV.UK

Key events in August• For all events in and around London, check out Tech City

News

• Digital Tuesday – Cardiff 5th August

• Digital Business – how we can help you? Brighton 8th August

• Seedcamp Meet & Greet – Bristol 13th August

• Tax efficient start-ups – Google campus, London 26th August

• Brighton Digital Festival – Brighton 1st September

Training and skills• Open Data in a Day training course at the ODI – 4th

August

• Business model tools and value proposition workshop from Lancaster University and London Fusion – 6th August

• Technology Adoption in the NHS: Challenges and Barriers – Tech UK London 11th August

• Getting the most out of VCs – London 1st September

Something else we've missed?

Please let us know plus sign up for monthly updates at:

digitaleconomy@ktn-uk.org