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News
It’s been just over 6 months since our novel programme, Innovation Net Zero, launched in Carmarthenshire and the Vale of Glamorgan. Since then, we have supported many local Welsh businesses on their journey to a more sustainable future.
Innovation Net Zero offers fully funded support from business, innovation, sustainability, and technology experts for local businesses. The world-class partnership behind Innovation Net Zero brings together our team Innovation Strategy, local sustainability experts Afallen, and the multinational BT. (read more)
On the 16th of April the second round of the Mid-Wales Launchpad came to a close at the showcase event at AberInnovation. 11 businesses demonstrated what they had achieved over the course of three months to guests from Welsh Government Innovate UK, FSB Wales, and Ceredigion County Council. (read more)
Innovation Strategy and AberInnovation have launched the second series of the Mid Wales Challenge-Led Launchpad following on from the success of the first series cohort. The Mid Wales Challenge-Led Launchpad is 100% funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding and aims to develop novel solutions of public sector and societal issues through supporting research and innovation in Mid Wales. Projects are fully funded to carry out research and development into their innovative solution and receive business support. (read more)
Innovation for Wales published. Wales Innovates: Creating a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales
The new Innovation Strategy for Wales was published today. Wales Innovates: Creating a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales. The Welsh Government has produced a new Innovation strategy at a crucial time when Wales is facing a new and developing research, development and innovation (RD&I) landscape. With the winding up of the existing EU programmes this year, and uncertainty over our engagement with future EU scientific initiatives, things will all change. There will be a loss of R&D funding and Wales will have less control over it, however this new strategy is to point the way to a different approach to innovation in the future. .It looks at how we adopt a mission-based attitude and prioritising work that is translational. The new innovation strategy will be fundamental in positioning the way we all work together. For further information visit the Welsh Government website. https://www.gov.wales/innovation-strategy-wales
Innovation Strategy secure £810,000 with partners AberInnovation for a new programme in Mid Wales
Innovation Strategy have successfully secured over £810,000 for a new innovation programme with partners AberInnovation. The Challenge Led Launch Pad Series is a new procurement programme aimed at developing novel solutions to public sector and societal issues whilst offering new market opportunities for businesses and people in Mid Wales. The programme secured funding from Welsh Government and the the UK Government Community Renewal Fund to deliver business support and skills development. The novel approach will offer new opportunities for businesses and people helping renew communities and build a more productive and prosperous economy in across the region. The programme is a collaboration between AberInnovation, Innovation Strategy, the Growing Mid Wales Partnership, Ceredigion County Council, Powys County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board and British Telecom.
Innovation Strategy win two prestigious awards as part of our collaboration with Welsh Government
Innovation Strategy are thrilled to have been announced as Go Award winners as part of our collaboration with Welsh Government Food Division in two categories. Procurement Innovation of the Year and Go Excellence Award 2020. Welsh Government commissioned Innovation Strategy to develop the programme and source funding for a Small Business Research Initiative to find innovative approaches to tackle the ongoing battle with obesity in children whist offering new market opportunities for innovative food and drink companies. As part of the programme Innovation Strategy formed a strong collaboration among Welsh Government Food Division, Health, Education, Procurement, Welsh Local Government Association and Innovate UK and secured £1 million pound worth of funding. Innovation Strategy led the programme and worked with early stage companies to successfully develop innovative products.
World first coronavirus treatment approved for NHS use by government
The government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death. Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been immediately approved to treat all UK hospitalised COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen, including those on ventilators, from today. The drug has been proven to reduce the risk of death significantly in COVID-19 patients on ventilation by as much as 35% and patients on oxygen by 20%, reducing the total 28-day mortality rate by 17%. Funded by the UK government, via the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Oxford University UK RECOVERY trial is the first clinical trial anywhere in the world to show a treatment provides significant impact in reducing patient mortality.
COVID-19 treatments could be fast-tracked through new national clinical trial initiative
This will accelerate the development of new drugs for patients hospitalised with COVID-19, reducing the time taken to set up clinical studies for new therapies from months to weeks. Thousands of patients could benefit from potential treatments for COVID-19 that will be fast-tracked through a new national clinical trial. This platform will accelerate the development of new drugs for patients hospitalised with COVID-19, reducing the time taken to set up clinical studies for new therapies from months to just weeks & helping to ease pressure on the NHS & ultimately save lives. 6 potential drugs will initially enter the programme, with the first of these beginning phase 2 studies – the stage of a clinical trial focused on the testing of a drug on patients to assess how effective it is & side effects – across the UK imminently.
Innovation Strategy win place on national framework (MCF2) to support Public Sector
Innovation Strategy have won a place on the UK Governments RM6008 Management Consultancy 2 (MCF2) Framework until 2021 for provision of Business Consultancy Services. The framework is a pan government Framework for use by all Public Sector Bodies in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. MCF2 provides a compliant, cost effective way for central government and the wider public sector to access a variety of consultancy advice from a range of suppliers. The national framework allows for the direct procurement of Innovation Strategy services removing the need for further competition and long procurement exercises. As part of the framework we are compliant with Cyber Essential Accreditation & offer standard rates providing excellent value for Public Sector. Further information is available through the Crown Commercial Service.
Innovate to Save fund launched
The Welsh Government’s £5m Innovate to Save fund to help support public and third sector organisations deliver services in Wales. Applications are open for grants of up to £15,000, for organisations to test an idea that could improve services for citizens and make savings. Throughout the research and development phase, projects will receive support from Nesta and Cardiff University (through the Y Lab arrangement), and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. There is then an opportunity to apply for loan funding to implement the idea. Organisations submitting proposals will also be able to draw on the resources and experience of Nesta and Cardiff University to expand the scope of their projects. The deadline for applications is 1st July 2018.
Innovate UK are inviting ideas for the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
Innovate UK, on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, is inviting proposals on the potential future challenges to get support through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
The aim of this call is to identify the third wave of industry-led challenges in the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which brings together the UK’s world-leading research with industry to tackle the biggest industrial and societal challenges of our time. UK industry and research can submit proposals aligned clearly with at least one of the 4 grand challenges in government’s Industrial Strategy.
Funding to help tech firms deliver innovative fixes to public sector challenges
Vital public services will benefit from a fund to incentivise Britain’s tech firms to come up with smart solutions to fix public sector problems. A dedicated new GovTech Catalyst team will operate at the heart of government and oversee a new £20 million fund to help tech firms deliver innovative fixes to public sector challenges, which could include reducing traffic jams, freeing up teachers’ time and improving the experience of patients visiting their GP. Tech firms bidding to the fund will have free reign to create truly innovative fixes. Those successful will receive funding to cover their research and development costs. The GovTech Fund will be made available from 2018-19 to 2020-21.
Welsh food companies to develop new innovative products to help tackle childhood obesity
Welsh Government and Innovate UK have awarded a share of £250,000 research and development funding to four Welsh companies to allow them to assess the feasibility of their new solutions. The funding was provided through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), a national programme that enables public sector bodies to connect with businesses that have the potential to provide innovative solutions to public sector challenges. The companies were invited to submit solutions which focus on reducing levels of salt, sugar and saturated fat as well as increasing the levels of vitamins, minerals and fibre provided in food and drink for children.