Apply for a share of up to £2 million to test innovative ways to improve productivity
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has up to £2 million to invest in trials of innovative ways to improve productivity for micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The funding is part of the government’s Business Basics Programme, announced as part of the modern Industrial Strategy.
The aim of the programme is to identify and test ideas that encourage SMEs to adopt existing technology and management practices that would improve their productivity.
Eligibility criteria
The competition will fund two types of projects:
- proof of concept or feasibility studies
- full-scale trials
If a proof of concept is successful, there is potential to access further funding to move the project into a full-scale trial in the future.
Projects should look at how to increase the adoption of technology and business practices to improve the productivity of SMEs. This could include:
- adopting existing technology, such as accountancy, CRM or HR software, cloud computing or payment systems
- adopting modern business practices, such as leadership and management capabilities or developing an innovation culture
- a combination of the two approaches above
Ideas could include increasing awareness about the benefits of technology, how to create interest in adopting new technology and business practices, making the benefits of new technology clearer and providing advice and support.
Competition information
The competition is open, and the deadline for applications is at midday on 4 September 2018.
Find out more about the competition for proof of concept projects and apply.
Find out more about the competition for full-scale trials and apply.
Source: NI BUSINESS INFO
