KTN Digital and Creative Business Briefing September 2019 with information on events, funding and support initiatives for innovative UK based digital businesses

1. Digital
& Creative Business Briefing
September 2019

2. Content
• Feature
• Funding competitions
• Support programmes
• Training and Awards
• Investors Directory
• Networks
• Upcoming events
• Register for updates

3. Feature
AI for Services - networking opportunity
Join AI For Services (aiforservices.org): A UK wide network bringing together Data and Artificial Intelligence businesses and
academics with professionals working in the high value service sectors of legal, accountancy insurance and finance. This is a
free membership to stay up to date with the innovation happening in the sector, connect with academic, industry experts and
ambitious high growth entrepreneurs, and join insightful events.
READ MORE

4. Feature
Geospacial Insights : Stimulating cross sector innovation - networking opportunity
The world is powered by data; turning data into information helps us make decisions across all sectors of the economy. This
special interest group is all about connecting the data holders and data processors with the people that can benefit from the
insight geospatial data can provide. From the large imagery data sets provided by earth observation through to sensor data
connected through the Internet of Things, the SIG will convene and connect people across sectors to help them identify and
overcome their geospatial data challenges and create opportunities to drive economic growth.
READ MORE

5. Funding
Innovate UK Innovation Loans : Summer 2019
Deadline: 11th
September
Innovate UK is offering up to £10 million in loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Loans are for highly
innovative late stage projects with the best game changing and/or disruptive ideas or concepts. There should be a clear route to
commercialisation and economic impact.
Projects should aim to develop new products, processes or services (or innovative use of existing ones) believed to be significantly
ahead of anything similar in the field . Your proposal can come from any technology and any part of the economy.
Projects must focus on commercialisation, growth or scale up. Priority is given to proposals likely to lead to growth and gains in
productivity. Projects should last up to 5 years, of which up to 3 years can focus on late stage research and development (R&D),
and up to 2 more years on establishing a clear route to commercial success. Loan repayments will be required over a further
period of up to 5 years.
READ MORE

6. Funding
EUREKA: Singapore open competition
Deadline: 19th
September
EUREKA, in partnership with Enterprise Singapore, announce a Global Stars funding competition for research and
development (R&D) projects under the EUREKA programme.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing £1 million to fund UK businesses leading collaborative
research and development (R&D) projects.
Projects should result in a new product, industrial process or service, be innovative and involve a technological risk.
Projects must be co-ordinated by a lead partner from the UK and a lead partner from Singapore. Partners from each
additional country should also nominate a lead from that country.
READ MORE

7. Funding
Enabling Data Access in Accountancy, Insurance and Legal Services: Innovation Lab
Competition opens: Monday 14 October 2019
Competition closes: Wednesday 20 November 2019 12:00pm
UKRI/ Innovate UK has just launched a new funding competition as part of the Industrial Strategy Next Generation Services
Challenge: Up to £3.5 million will be awarded to projects developing data access methods to enable the application of
artificial intelligence (AI) and data technologies in the accountancy, insurance and legal services sector.
This is the second stage of a two part competition
READ MORE

8. Funding
Innovate UK Smart Grants: Summer 2019
Deadline: 16th
October
Smart is the new name for Innovate UK’s ‘Open grant funding’ programme. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will
invest up to £25 million in the best game-changing, innovative or disruptive ideas with a view to commercialisation.
This competition provides funding for innovative research and development (R&D) from feasibility (including market research),
through to technology or prototype testing and development stages up to (but not including) commercialisation.
All proposals must be business focused, rather than pure research. Applications can come from any area of technology (including
arts, design, media or creative industries), science or engineering and be applied to any part of the economy.
READ MORE

9. Funding
Digital Security by Design - Collaborators' Workshop
Deadline: 16th October
£70m Digital Security by Design Challenge: Collaborators' Workshop
KTN is running a collaborators’ workshop on 26 September 2019 in London to explain more about the Digital Security by
Design Challenge announced by the government.
The Digital Security by Design challenge has been recently announced by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial
Strategy (BEIS). This challenge, amounting to £70 million of government funding over 5 years, will be delivered by UK Research
and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF).
This Collaborators’ Workshop will provide an opportunity to hear more details of the challenge and forthcoming competitions.
There will also be an opportunity for delegates to present and discuss potential collaborations.
READ MORE

10. Funding
DCMS 5G Programme Rural Connected Communities grant funding competition
Deadline: 25th October
The Rural Connected Communities project (RCC) is supporting the overall strategy for improving mobile coverage and
driving successful 5G implementation in the UK. Improving the case for investment in rural network deployment by testing new
commercial and technical solutions for more efficient deployment of advanced network infrastructure including 5G.
The Rural Connected Communities (RCC) competition will fund up to 10 5G research and development projects to run over the
course of two years. These projects will trial innovative use cases and technical solutions to build the business case for investment
in rural connectivity and explore the capabilities of 5G to benefit rural communities. They will also help demonstrate demand
from a variety of economic sectors and rural communities for 5G technologies.
Connectivity applications are expected to show a combination of societal and economic benefits that will together create a
stronger case for investing in the deployment of 5G infrastructure for rural areas.
Briefing event 12 September 2019, Leeds – READ MORE

11. Funding
Industrial 5G Testbeds & Trials: Manufacturing and Logistics Sectors Projects
Deadline: 10th October
This competition is aimed at consortia led by private sector companies and requires the participation of at least one small or
medium sized enterprise (SME). The application should be submitted by the lead project partner. Leading a consortium will
include development and leading the delivery of the project and proactively encouraging participation from small and medium
sized enterprises (SMEs). The details of project roles and eligibility are provided in the Competition Guidance and supporting
documents.
These projects will explore 5G deployment and industrial use cases in the areas of manufacturing and logistics. We are seeking
involvement from a range of companies that have the potential to contribute to the testbeds and trials, such as manufacturing
and logistics companies, system integrators, mobile and fixed network operators, and equipment suppliers. Public sector,
Academic, and Research and Technology Organisations may also be involved.
READ MORE

12. Funding
ISCF Healthy Ageing Investment Accelerator: round 1
Deadline: 30th October
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is inviting UK registered investors to partner with us. Together we will distribute
a share of up to £12 million in grants to micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises registered in the
UK, alongside private equity capital. Grant funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
The aim of this competition is to encourage early private investment in innovative healthy ageing technologies, including
products, services and business models. This is phase 1 of a 2 phase competition. The second phase will be open to SMEs to apply
for grant funding and equity investment.
READ MORE

13. Support Programmes
The ScaleUp Accellerator
KTN supports The Accelerator Network as they launch a new high growth programme - The ScaleUp Accelerator
The ScaleUp Accelerator (TSA) is a programme designed to support the CEOs and founders of high growth companies as they
progress through the ScaleUp stage of company development and growth. This is most typically supporting companies grow from
£1m in annualised review to £10m and beyond. TSA leverages nearly a decade of expertise by The Accelerator Network team
delivering accelerator programmes and White Horse Capital’s strong connections in the VC community, with over £300m of
funding secured for accelerated startups and scaleups.
TSA is the perfect programme for CEOs and founders to address each area of their business in turn to ensure you are ready
to grow and raise Series A (VC) funding. This three month programme does this by delivering day-long sprints each week in to the
key areas of your business supported by experts and investors.
READ MORE

14. Break Through Innovation II supports companies to become design-led organisations
Businesses who understand the power of being human-centred design focused, realise that this is a key strategic tool to
aid the growth of their business. It is increasingly understood that bringing designers to the table in early-stage innovation
processes can make a crucial difference. For start-ups, strategic design helps get brilliant ideas to the right market. For
established businesses, it helps reposition or expand their offering.
READ MORE
Support programmes

15. Support programmes
MSDUK
MSDUK is proud to champion the best of British ethnic minority businesses and work with progressive global corporations
that understand the value of supply chain inclusion and diversity. Since 2006, MSDU has worked with over 125 global
brands and more than 1500 EMBs, introducing hundreds of ethnic minority founders – offering them a platform to
showcase their innovative ideas, and provide them access to knowledge, investment and market to help them grow and
achieve their dreams.
READ MORE

16. Support programmes
Virgin StartUp - StepUp
StepUp is a 2-day programme designed for female founders who want to take their business to scale.
The programme includes a series of workshops and networking opportunities to help founders develop the skills and
knowledge they need in order to take their business to the next level.
We have designed StepUp to focus on the areas of business which we know founders will get the most value from; sales,
funding and investment.
Over the course of the two days, participants will hear from a host of expert speakers and entrepreneurs who have
successfully scaled their start-ups in the last few years.
READ MORE

17. Support programmes
Capital Enterprise – OneTech
OneTech supports underrepresented tech founders in London. One of our main goals is to double the number of female
and BAME-led tech start-ups raising investment through our programmes.
The programme offers a range of dedicated support for young people, including a pre-Accelerator, startup weekends and
help brokering connections between young people seeking paid internships and tech startups looking for interns.
If you’re a student looking for an internship or a young founder seeking ongoing support as you get your business off of the
ground, look no further! If you’re 18 – 24 years old, register for either branch of the support.
READ MORE

18. Support programmes
Plexal - OpenDoor
When it comes to levelling the playing field, we’re looking to the innovation community.
So if you’ve got a solution that can help boost social inclusion and make it easier for people from under-represented
groups to start a business, find work or succeed in their career, we want to help you scale.
As well as a bespoke package of support, we’ll help you get in front of largest tech companies and organisations.
Applications are open now and close at midnight on 12 July.
READ MORE

19. Support programmes
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
• The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses in the UK to innovate and grow by linking them with
an academic or research organisation and a graduate.
• The scheme can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on what the project is and the needs of the business.
• A KTP is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute to the salary of the Associate who will work with your
business, plus the cost of a supervisor who will oversee the scheme.
READ MORE

20. Support programmes
SETsquared Support Programme
From idea to scale-up, SETsquared has a comprehensive range of programmes which will help boost your business to the
next level.
SETsquared is a unique enterprise partnership and a dynamic collaboration between the five leading research-led UK
universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. Twice ranked as the Global No. 1 Business Incubator, we
provide a wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes to help turn ideas into thriving businesses.
READ MORE

21. Support programmes
Start-Up Campus Global
Start-up Campus is a decentralised global incubator with several interlaced locations that help to accelerate the global
expansion process of start-ups and to create a close connection with the ecosystems. We believe in the importance of
quality control, and thus remain selective when including start-ups to our portfolio.
”OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN COUNTRIES, MARKETS AND INTERNATIONAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEMS.”
Through working with many startups over the years, we have found, that one of their biggest problems is global expansion.
They are unsure about the: HOW? WHEN? WHERE? Therefore, there is a significant demand for a service that provides
professional help with global expansion and can guarantee a local presence for the start-ups. Soft-landing programmes and
business development tours encourage the international market entry of start-ups.
READ MORE

22. Support programmes
Westcott Business Incubation Centre support programmes
The Westcott Business Incubation Centre (BIC) is located on the Westcott Venture Park, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Our mission is to encourage the development of new companies working in the strategic growth areas of rocket
propulsion, 5G communications, drones and other autonomous systems.
You can find out more about our focus areas
Westcott is already home to a thriving nucleus of space companies. The Westcott BIC will work together with existing
expertise on the site and other planned investments, including the UK Space Agency’s National Propulsion Test
Centre, Reaction Engines’ rocket engine test facility, the Westcott 5G Step-out Centre and the Westcott Innovation Centre.
The Westcott BIC is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)and developed by the Satellite
Applications Catapult, Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust and Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise
Partnership (BTVLEP).
READ MORE

23. Investment
Private Investment Directory – Digital Refer
Digital Refer now includes more than 250 organisations that provide private investment to digital and creative
businesses in the UK including:
• Accelerator programmes
• Business incubators
• Start-up studios
• Venture Capital funds
• Angel investor networks
• Corporate Venture Capital firm
LINK

24. Networks: Immerse UK
• Augmented and Virtual Reality Independent Network
• Bringing together businesses, public sector & research
• Free to Join
• Learn more about Immersive Tech developments
• Help shape UK funding & research policy
• Showcase your ideas & identify funding opportunities
• Make business connections & form collaborative partnerships
http://www.immerseuk.org/

25. Networks: UK5G
https://uk5g.org/
• Promotion of research, collaboration and the commercial application of 5G in the UK
• Share the knowledge and lessons of 5G Testbeds & Trials projects
• Enable new partnerships between technologists, potential new entrants and major industrial adopters
• Support local (and international) investment opportunities
• Collaboration Exchange : https://uk5g.org/connect/collaborate/

26. Networks: KTN Special Interest Groups
KTN Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are KTN projects that focus KTN activity and accelerate innovation in cross-disciplinary topics of
strategic importance.
SIGs are time-bound activities across a wide range of specialist areas to connect and catalyse people and activities to achieve
specific knowledge transfer and innovation outcomes. SIGs typically achieve their objectives over a small number of years and
are replaced by new higher-priority areas of focus.
Read More

27. Upcoming events
MSDUK 2019 Conference
17th – 18th September, London
Women in Innovation: Building Success in the North
24th September
Immersive Tech in Academia and Industry
12th September, Cardiff
DCMS Rural Connected Communities – Competition
Briefing Event
12th September, Leeds
What can your business do to reduce plastic waste?
– challenges and solutions
18th September, Manchester
How to make your XR company low-risk &
commercially successful
19th September, London
Women in Innovation: Building Success - North West
24th September, Manchester
TechDay London
25th October, London
Digital Security by Design - Collaborators' Workshop
26th September, London
Break Through Innovation 2
1st October, London
Digital Business Meet Up: Creative Industries
3rd October, London
Keep up-to-date with KTN events here

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