INNOVATE UK event: Innovation Loans Open Competition

We are delighted to be hosting Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Network and the Enterprise Europe Network for a briefing event for Innovate UK’s second Open innovation loans competition, which is currently open for application.

Innovate UK is running a pilot programme of loan competitions. A total of up to £50 million is available for business innovation projects. Innovate UK is working to broaden the range of innovation finance support available to businesses, so they can access funding at all stages of innovation. Innovation loans are for UK small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to scale up and grow through innovation, developing new or improved products, processes or services. They can be used for late-stage research and development (R&D) projects, which have not yet reached the point of commercialisation.

Innovate UK is to offer up to £10 million in loans to SMEs for innovative late stage projects.  The aim of this competition is to provide loans to help SMEs to undertake game-changing innovations with strong commercial potential across any sector or industry.  Innovation loans will offer affordable, patient, flexible, repayable funding for later-stage research & development projects with a clear route to commercial success.  More information can be found here.

The deadline for registration for this competition is 29th August and the application deadline is noon on 5th September 2018.

The purpose of the event is to provide vital information to enable businesses to decide if an innovation loan is appropriate for them and, if so, to develop a clear and compelling application that shows that they have an innovative project and are suitable for a loan.

Agenda

09:30 – Coffee & Registration

10:00 – Innovation loans overview: presentation from Innovate UK

10:45 – Financing growth through innovation: panel discussion including the Enterprise Europe Network and local members of the innovation ecosystem

11:45 – How to write a compelling project application: presentation from the Knowledge Transfer Network

12:15 – Our approach to credit: presentation from Innovate UK Loans Ltd

12:45 – Taking on an innovation loan: case study from a successful borrower

13:00 – Networking lunch

14:00 – Optional 1-2-1 or group discussions with Innovation loans team, KTN, EEN and local innovation ecosystem members

15:30 – Close

If you are unable to attend this event, there will also be similar events across the UK between 23rd and 31st July, as well as a webinar. Click here to see these other briefing events.

REGISTER HERE