Email News December 2011
Welcome to the December 2011 Marine South East email newsletter
If you would like to submit an article for consideration please email text and image to sarah@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2011-11-29 10:13:32
New government funding to stimulate innovation
A new Technology Strategy Board scheme is offering funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology, from which successful new products, processes and services could emerge.
The Grant for Research and Development (Grant for R&D) scheme will support R&D projects which offer potentially significant rewards and could stimulate UK economic growth. In contrast to the Collaborative R&D programme which requires several partners in a project, Grant for R&D funding is available to single companies.
Three types of grant are available:
* Proof of market
* Proof of concept
* Development of prototype
Any UK SME working in any sector may apply; applications are accepted on a rolling basis approximately every two months for assessment by independent experts. Grant for R&D replaces the scheme previously offered by regional development agencies. The new scheme will work alongside existing programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Proof of market grant:
This grant enables companies to assess the commercial viability of a project, through:
* Market research
* Market testing and competitor analysis
* Intellectual property position
* Initial planning to take the project to commercialisation, including assessing costs, timescales and funding requirements
Projects will last up to 9 months, have a maximum grant of £25k, and up to 60% of total project costs may be funded.
Proof of concept grant:
SMEs may use this grant to explore the technical feasibility and commercial potential of a new technology, product or process, including:
* initial feasibility studies
* basic prototyping
* specialist testing and/or demonstration to provide basic proof of technical feasibility
* intellectual property protection
* investigation of production and assembly options
Projects will last up to 18 months, have a maximum grant of £100k, and up to 60% of total project costs may be funded.
Development of prototype grant:
This funding is used by companies to develop a technologically innovative product, service or industrial process, and can include projects such as:
* small demonstrators
* intellectual property protection
* trials and testing, including clinical
* market testing
Projects will last up to 2 years and have a maximum grant of £250k; up to 35% of total project costs for medium enterprises, or up to 45% for small and micro enterprises, may be funded. Medium is defined as turnover less than 50 million Euros and 250 employees and a micro (start up) and small enterprise will have turnover of less than 10 million Euros and 50 people employed, and businesses must be a single entity to apply for this grant.
Full details of Grant for R&D can be found at: http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/grant-for-research-and-development.ashx
Posted 2011-11-08 10:13:17
UKTI launches Exporting for Growth Prize Competition for SMEs
The new Exporting for Growth Prize Competition aims to encourage more small businesses in the UK to take their products to overseas markets by offering a comprehensive package of support to the company with the best export idea.
Winners will receive UKTI support worth up to £5,000 and three grants for overseas travel to their target markets, plus expert business knowledge and insight from sponsor companies. Additionally, UKTI will provide access to a range of free services. Runners-up and shortlisted companies will also benefit from access to UKTI service offers.
All eligible companies will have access to professional mentoring support to develop their audition pitch, time with an international trade adviser and, subject to eligibility and resource, an opportunity to be considered for UKTI's Passport to Export programme (with £1,000 of Business Development Credits) or Gateway to Global Growth programmes and other UKTI initiatives.
The Competition is open to UK-based SMEs. To be considered for entry, applicants must be eligible for UKTI services and be an SME according to the EU definition. UKTI is particularly interested to hear from first time or novice exporters.
The deadline for the receipt of applications is 13 January 2012.
To find out more about the Competition and to download an entry form, visit http://www.ukti.gov.uk/exportingforgrowthprize
Posted 2011-11-30 13:35:38
Ambitions for University Technical College in Dartford
Leigh Acadamy, who are long time supporters of the Schools Marine Challenge, are looking to set up and run a University Technical College in Dartford with the support of Greenwich University.
The intention would be to teach up to 600 students, eventually from year 9 to post 16 year olds. This would be a new build project that is specifically designed to teach technical subjects.
All the students would spend 40% of their time in the technical areas rising to 60% once they reach 16. All students would be taught english, maths and science in context with their engineering course.
Engineering courses would take set pathways into higher education, further training or employment all within the engineering sector. This would be a professional route, technician route or an apprenticeship route.
For the proposed UTC to be a success Leigh Academy need to get the support and backing of many engineering companies in the South East.
Leigh Academy would like one of their specialisms to be marine engineering, which would sit alongside other engineering courses. At present they have the support of Eurostar, BAE, Kenard Engineering, Photon energy and Enevis.
Support from partners is not financial, but an opportunity to work in education, setting the projects, maybe work placements, mentoring and providing an insite into work through careers.
For more information please go to http://www.utcolleges.org/
To find out more about Leigh Academy's role in the Dartford UTC please contact Steve Leahey sla@leighacademy.org.uk
Posted 2011-11-30 21:13:02
Regional Growth Fund to help small businesses
The Government is hoping that hundreds of small businesses will benefit from government investment of £95 million to help boost growth and rebalance the economy.
RBS, NatWest and HSBC have agreed to facilitate the distribution of the £95 million - which is part of the government’s Regional Growth Fund. RBS and NatWest will facilitate £70 million and HSBC will facilitate £25 million. The banks will not profit financially from the administration of these schemes.
Through these schemes small businesses, which are unable to secure commercial funding for their project, have the potential to benefit from government support through the banks' regional networks in order to make their project commercially viable. The schemes aim to provide grants to support SMEs considering investing in new capital assets and creating new employment.
The key features of the RBS, NatWest and HSBC schemes are:
* RBS and NatWest scheme is called the regional growth fund and will distribute £70 million; the HSBC scheme is called the Assisted Asset Purchase Scheme and will distribute £25 million.
* The funding will support new job-creating investment by SMEs across England, in particular parts that have become over-dependent on the public sector.
* 100 per cent of the RGF funding will be provided as grants to SMEs with the banks employing their regional networks to administer the schemes on a pro-bono basis.
* SMEs can qualify for a grant if they are going to invest in new capital assets, such as plant and machinery, and create new jobs - and cannot get normal bank finance.
* Grants of up to £500,000 will be awarded alongside the award of a new bank loan on commercial terms.
* To qualify for the NatWest and RBS scheme, SMEs need a turnover of less than £25 million.
* To qualify for the HSBC scheme the SME will need a turnover of less than 50 million Euros.
* The banks will not earn any fees to administer the scheme. Interest earned on any funds held on the bank's balance sheet must be used for beneficiary grants or returned to the government.
For more information on the Regional Growth Fund please visit: http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/regional-economic-development/regional-growth-fund
Posted 2011-11-10 15:04:51
Government campaign to highlight British Manufacturing
Business Secretary Vince Cable and Business Minister Mark Prisk have launched the Make it in Great Britain campaign, which aims to transform outdated views of UK manufacturing and dispel the myth that Britain ‘doesn’t make anything anymore’.
There are a wide range of opportunities open to the manufacturing industries including Marine which offer the chance to champion our industry:
Make it in Great Britain Challenge - (launching in early 2012) is a nationwide competition to identify innovative pre-market products or processes. Selected by a panel of industry and other experts the winning entries will form part of the summer exhibition of great British manufacturing at the Science Museum.
Industry Champions - 30 industry champions, from the wide range of manufacturing industries in the UK, will be appointed to promote British manufacturing, design and innovation. If you think you can be an industry champion, and have an interesting story to tell about your experiences in UK manufacturing and any examples of what makes UK manufacturing great, apply via the campaign's website http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/
Exhibition at The Science Museum – there will be a six week exhibition during the 2012 Games (running from 24 July to 9 September), showcasing cutting edge products, processes and concepts. They are looking for displays that adults and children can get involved in (working models, interactive displays etc.).
Case Studies – the campaign is looking for case studies they can use in the media to promote both the case study’s organisation/business and the campaign.
Rising Stars – the campaign is also looking for the rising stars of the manufacturing industry. This will be the campaigns “30 under 30”; 30 rising stars, all under the age of 30, to go out and inspire young people to look at the manufacturing industry and consider a future in it.
Further details on the campaign are available on the Make it in Great Britain website
http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/
Posted 2011-11-18 14:38:24
Enthusing the young people of today about the maritime opportunities of tomorrow.
Sea Vision has a mission: to enthuse the young people of today about the maritime opportunities of tomorrow. They are currently working on a new website, youtube channel and facebook pages and we want to build an identity that fits their vision.
Seavision need help from 11 to 22 year olds in selecting a logo...
They have secured a unique prize from the Royal Navy for a trip on board a P2000 patrol boat for up to 4 people - all you have to do is answer a few quick questions about our logo concepts and you could be winning an unforgettable experience.
You can watch our YouTube clip here: http://youtu.be/gyK4rcN6tcE
And take part in the survey here: http://www.facebook.com/seavisionuk or http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/seavision
Closing date for entries is 5pm December 5th
Posted 2011-11-22 13:01:12
Inaugural British Marine Federation Apprenticeship Graduation Awards
The BMF is inviting all marine apprentices who completed their training in 2011 to celebrate their achievement at the 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show.
Apprentices are an important part of the continued growth of the leisure marine industry, and the graduation awards are an opportunity for all those who have completed their apprenticeship to be recognised by their peers, their employer and the wider industry.
Each qualified apprentice in attendance will receive a certificate of achievement from the British Marine Federation.
The event will be held on Wednesday the 11th of January 2012.
For more information please contact Deidre Williams at the BMF dwilliams@britishmarine.co.uk
Posted 2011-11-29 10:15:54
Offshore Wind Seminar, 6th December 2011, London
On Tuesday 6th December 2011, the Danish Embassy in London will host a seminar that offers an overview of current developments in the offshore wind industry in the UK. The seminar will provide answers to what we can expect in 2012 in terms of policy developments, market opportunities and technical advances.
Come and hear contributions from the Department of Engery and Climate Change, Ofgem, European Wind Energy Association, Eneco, Vattenfall, Siemens Energy and others.
For more information contact Rasmus Leth Traberg at the Danish Embassy at rastra@um.dk
Posted 2011-11-18 14:30:27
Registration opens for BMF Meet the Buyer event January 2012
The BMF Meet the Buyer event is one of the most cost effective solutions to meet purchasing decision makers from OEM’s, Distributors and Superyacht yards from across the globe. For less than the price of a European airfare you can meet the likes of Dufour, Bavaria, Baltic Yachts, Lurssen, Nautor Swan, Gulf Craft, Fairline and many more under one roof.
BMF Meet the Buyer runs from January 10 - 11 at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show 2012. A one off participation cost of £100 for BMF Members and £175 for non members enables you to meet representatives from the companies above plus many more.
The 2011 event was very popular, generating over 435 individual meetings. Meetings will be arranged on a first come, first served basis for suppliers. Sign up via the events website http://www.bmfmeetthebuyer.co.uk to secure your place today.
For more information please visit the website, or contact Chris Grosscurth cgrosscurth@britishmarine.co.uk or 01784 223641
Posted 2011-11-10 14:50:18
Showcase opportunities to exhibit at Boot Dusseldorf
The BMF will be exhibiting at Boot Dusseldorf 2012 from January 21st – 29th 2012 with a stand in Hall 11 (equipment hall) and is offering a meeting place and Showcase display for UK companies, as well as flying the flag for the UK marine industry. There are only 10 showcase’s available and the cost will be £1,500 for BMF members and £2,000 for non members.
15 UKTI TAP grants of £1,000 each are available to both stand participants and individual exhibitors that comply with the terms and conditions.
Boot Dusseldorf is attended by a large section of European visitors including Scandinavians, Dutch, Polish and many more so it makes an ideal platform to meet with key contacts.
If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, or for more information please contact Chris Grosscurth cgrosscurth@britishmarine.co.uk
Posted 2011-11-10 14:54:15
Seatec Italy 2012 BMF Group Stand Offer
Seatec is the only trade show in Italy focussed on the Italian marine market, builders of 45% of the world’s superyachts. If you are targeting this market this show is one not to miss.
The BMF is taking a showcase stand at the show which runs February 8–10 2012. The cost will be £1200 per company (BMF Members), £1400 (Non members).
For more information please contact Amanda Simpson at asimpson@britishmarine.co.uk
