Derby Innovation Accelerator aims to deliver support to local organisations in the Derby City Region by providing funded access to Workshops, Capital Grants, Angel Investors and Innovation Vouchers. The purpose of this is to offer research, knowledge and information to allow acceleration of growth, innovation and decarbonisation for local businesses. The support provided includes:
- Innovation Workshops – to support companies to achieve innovation-led growth through research and development
- Challenge-led Workshops – for launching challenges and drawing together potential collaborators. The challenges will focus on strengthening the identified key sectors for Derby whilst inspiring innovation
- Decarbonisation Workshops – to support companies who are seeking to grow sustainably and respond to opportunities in the low carbon and circular economies
- Innovation Vouchers – to support access to University of Derby innovation assets, facilities, knowledge and expertise
- Capital Grants – to stimulate private sector investment in capital assets that support research and development
- Access to Angel and Investor Networks – to support, coach and facilitate companies to understand, prepare and secure ‘Angel Investment’
Image credit: University of Derby
Derby Innovation Accelerator Project
https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/innovation-accelerator/
The key innovative aspects of the project are the ability to provide a range of services to local organisations that accelerate the work they are doing, quicker than if they were to take on this task alone (if it would be possible for them at all). The Innovation Vouchers particularly provide a funded resource to a company, allowing more innovation, projects, and a greater risk tolerance of work being undertaken. This work can include prototype creation, feasibility studies, proof of concepts, etc. Once this work has been completed the business is then able to take the research to the next level with the security of a Capital Grant for purchases required, assisting innovation that may not have been possible without the support. An example of this would be an organisation that is wanting to test a product using the university equipment, laboratory and expertise, once the testing has been complete, they can purchase the product/ machine, and then use this in their production and manufacturing.
Multiple start ups have been created due to the work through the project, a total of 9 throughout the project lifecycle:
- Volicios – Creation of high-end, luxury wheelchairs that are bespoke for specific users’ needs.
- Nash Equestrian – Creation of an ointment and rug to prevent the most common rashes and skin disease in horses.
- Freckle – Creation of a home-schooling organisation for individuals with high anxiety and unable to attend school.
- AIFINVEST – An investment portfolio management with a specific focus on AI
- Toni Louise Photography – A new photography business.
- Lumintiy Holographics – Creation of a new telepresence method.
- Event & Me – A new events business.
- Role Resolve Therapy – A new therapy business focussed on health and social care
- Jam Seventy Nine – Creation of a digital manufacturing service centred around education and outreach.
