UKTI offers export help for hi-tech firms
THE Government’s foreign trade body UK Trade & Investment has launched a new programme to help small hi-tech firms take their innovations to international markets.
Under Targeting R&D for Export (TR&DE) companies receive a commercial assessment of their investment in research, help with formulating an action and advice on issues such as intellectual property.
They will also get help from a UKTI international trade adviser to develop an export action plan.
UKTI has contracted accountancy firm Grant Thornton and fund manager Enterprise Ventures to deliver the support. It is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency with European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).
David Booth, an international trade adviser at UKTI North West, said: “We are looking for North West companies that have invested in developing new products and services so that we can help them make the most of their commercial opportunities. The TR&DE programme aims to fast track SME companies into making the most of their opportunities at home and overseas.
“Spend on research and development is key to generating and maintaining the competitive advantage of both North West companies and the UK economy as a whole. We want to work with companies to help them realise the value of R&D and to turn their expertise into commercial products.”
The programme runs until March 2013 and is open to North West-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are claiming, or are eligible to claim, HRMC R&D Tax Credits. Each participating company will receive up to 18 hours of specialist advice free of charge, and access to £3,000 matched funding to be used in the delivery of the agreed action plan.
UKTI has contracted accountancy firm Grant Thornton and fund manager Enterprise Ventures to deliver the support. It is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency with European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).
For further information contact the North West International Trade Team on 0845 603 7053 or info@uktinorthwest.co.uk.
