Innovation advice and support

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If you have an idea for an innovative product or service, our experienced team at The Forge offers impartial innovation advice and support to help take your ideas forward.

Our specialist knowledge of the innovation and funding landscape is combined with industry specific expertise, cutting edge academic research and access to specialist facilities at Teesside University. That mix is what allows us to look at a challenge from more than one angle.

What the support can cover

• An innovation assessment that identifies gaps and opportunities in your business
• A practical action plan that sets out the projects worth pursuing first
• Technical consultancy on the innovation challenges that are holding you back
• Bid writing support to access research and innovation funding pots
• Introductions to academic expertise and specialist facilities

How it works in practice

You begin with a conversation and a diagnostic review of the business. From there your business innovation manager helps you decide which opportunities are worth taking on and what support would make the biggest difference.

Where a project needs funding, we help you identify the right programme and support the bid writing process. Where a project needs capability, we look at whether a graduate placement through a Knowledge Exchange Internship is the better route.

Everybody in our industry is looking towards the electrical vehicles market. The multi charge has the potential to be a real game changer for our company.

Mike Meynell, Managing Director, Carroll and Meynell Transformers Ltd

Who it suits

Innovation advice and support suits growth oriented businesses in County Durham employing fewer than 250 staff, with an annual turnover of no greater than €50m per annum. It works best when there is a clear ambition and someone in the business who can own the project.

Read how Carroll and Meynell funded a new product line and how NYMAS improved its systems and processes with this kind of support.