SMEs urged to apply for EU funding before it’s too late

SMEs across Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to access six new support programmes delivered under some of the final EU business funding for the region.

The programmes are designed to help companies develop products, grow their business, work with other firms across the area and offer a range of help including grant funding.

The initiatives were launched at an event held at Coventry Transport Museum, attended by around 80 companies from all sectors.

The support is being co-ordinated through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Hub, and the programmes are delivered by WMG at the University of Warwick, Coventry University and Coventry City Council.

Craig Humphrey, of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said the programmes could help businesses at various stages of development.

“They can help companies prove and develop their products, work with other companies to bring products to market and work more effectively with digital media and technology,” he said.

“The delivery partners are working together to ensure we can be as effective as possible in delivering support which aims to boost business innovation among SMEs and ensure that the benefits of new technology and increased productivity are felt in the local economy.”

He said the initiative was in part, a campaign to get the area recognised as the Knowledge Capital of the UK.

“More than 95% of local research and development spend focused on 16 large businesses and while it is great that those firms are thriving, we need to ensure that all innovation is supported and these programmes can go a long way to making that happen,” he added.

“The EU finance is there until December 2018 and I would urge all companies that are developing products with the aim of launching them to market, to have a look at the programmes and get in touch.”