Launch event woos green innovators
SMALL businesses with innovative environmental products can access advice and support from leading North West academics at an event in early March.
The forum on March 4 in Manchester will include the launch of the £9.8m Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, by entrepreneur and former science minister Lord Drayson.
The centre, which is part -funded by the European Regional Development Fund, aims is to support businesses develop innovative products which deliver environmental benefits.
The centre brings together the expertise of Lancaster University and University of Liverpool together with consultancy specialists Inventya, to undertake research, development and product commercialisation led by businesses.
The launch, at Bridgewater Hall will showcase the work of the centre and 50 North West SMEs benefitting from intensive three-year collaborative projects.
The centre provides opportunities for a further 235 small North West companies to be supported in the development and commercialisation of new eco-innovative products and services.
This may be in the form of three to six month research projects or through free support from innovation consultancy Inventya.
Centre manager Dr Andy Pickard said: “This is an exciting new opportunity for businesses seeking support to increase their R&D capability.
“We have established 50 long term projects running over three years. Opportunities now arise to work alongside these projects and for businesses with their own ideas for new products and services which show environmental benefits, which have shorter development time scales or need help to bring their products to market.”
Engineer and entrepreneur Lord Drayson, currently a director of Drayson Cars a manufacturer of electric vehicles, will make the keynote speech.
The event will also feature talks focusing on eco-innovation by Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University Prof Mark E. Smith and the University of Liverpool’s director of partnerships and innovation John Flamson.
