Rail Alliance Exploiting the Opportunity Gary Dimmock WBSC Manager

Business Potential Growing Sector Investment in Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Existing Network and HS2 “The numbers keep changing but the constant in this Industry is that it is a big number” – Colin Flack Rail Alliance

Exploiting the Opportunity Currently working with the Rail Sector Diversify in to the Rail Sector Developing New Products New Markets for Existing products Looking to grow your Business

Business Support and Funded Programmes Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre

WBSC Support Offer Business Assessment and Consultancy Assessment of current position Review of Strategic Plan Action plan to move the business forward Aligning with appropriate support

WBSC Support Offer Pre and New Start Business Full package of support and advice Business and Strategic Planning Creating a vision and direction New Product Development and Innovation Design and Market testing Caparo Innovation Centre New Market Development and Exporting Links to UKTI Identifying target market and avoiding the pitfalls

WBSC Support Offer Apprenticeship Access to education and Training for Existing apprentices Apprentice matching Leadership and Management Management development and CPD Advise and support on Funding Development and support initiatives Access to Finance Identifying Finance Availability Advise on Finance Applications

Support Programmes Support Programmes and Guidance Complex landscape for Business Support Alignment of Business Need and Support Working with Partner and External Programmes

Innovation 1 st Breaking Down Technological Boundaries Introduction to basic and advanced technology for businesses Identification of routes to technology option A minimum of 12 hours free assistance with technology Events and networking opportunities Sector specific campaigns Access to wider business networks and collaborative partnerships Businesses are welcome to come and visit our visualisation centre at the Science Park

KEEN, business improvement programme, part-funded by ERDF, designed to assist West Midlands SMEs increase profitability and growth. Fast approval process (3 weeks from application) Business process and marketing may be eligible Mentor graduate in post Apply knowledge and expertise Feed experience back in teaching Find out more: KEEN Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Network

Caparo Innovation Centre “The Caparo Innovation Centre offers new product development consultancy services” Services designed to pre-empt, identify and resolve challenges businesses encounter when developing and commercialising new products. Services are organised around the Stagegate process used widely within industry. Applicable to UK businesses no size restrictions. Contact Prof. Andrew Pollard Tel: or

IPSS Innovative Product Support Service “The IPSS programme supports businesses through the early stages of developing a new product or process.” Businesses will initially receive a 2-day review of their proposed product or technology. A further 4-days of funded support is available for those businesses with the most viable propositions Support includes: product design, IP advice, electronics development, market research and NPD planning

I-UEN The Innovation University Enterprise Network Collaborate to Innovate – The Innovation University Enterprise Network (IUEN) “I-UEN provides support for businesses looking to work collaboratively to develop and commercialise new products ” Provides a minimum of 2-days of fully funded support Support includes: guidance on introducing Open Innovation within your business, intellectual property reviews, commercial and technical viability studies, market research, guidance on IP licensing agreements, identification of potential collaborative partners. Contact Gavin Smeilus Tel: or

Green Shoots Programme Regional Growth Fund Capex Support Programme Key Requirements – Creating Sustainable Growth in the Private Sector – Increased Turnover and Profits – To Support Projects that have been refused Funding Key Outcomes – Creation of Employment – Safeguarding of Employment 15

Green Shoots Programme Awards Between £10k and £50k Cannot obtain funding from a other source other than a grant Funding for capital projects for SMEs Restricted to Black Country Businesses Investment made must be maintained in the region for a minimum of 3 years Maximum 30.2% grant contribution Open for Applications 9 th December 16

Growing Key Sectors ( Complimentary to GS Programme) Awards Between £50k and £1m Cannot obtain funding from a other source other than a grant Funding for capital projects for SMEs Restricted to Black Country Businesses Investment made must be maintained in the region for a minimum of 3 years Maximum 30.2% grant contribution 17

Built Environment Climate Change Initiative (BECCI) One to one mentoring support to “Carbon Reduction Innovators” (CRI) Accessing specialist equipment & facilities at the University of Wolverhampton and Coventry University. Linking up with Special Interest Thematic Groups Making use of Climate Change Building Innovation Seminars Entering Stakeholder supported Industry Challenges Modelling of innovations to predict performance Taking part in Climate Change Technology Showcases 18

Coming Soon  Black Country Gold – Launch January 2014  Consultancy and Capex support Programme – to support business growth and increased employment  Growth Hub (2014)  Planned programme to provide high level support to key businesses

Next Steps Interested in Progressing Contact WBSC Talk to Any of the Project Teams Here Today Arrange a Visit With are Advisors

Contact Details  Contact Desk    Jac Taylor    Gary Dimmock  

Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre Gary Dimmock WBSC Manager

WBSC Facilities Large Seminar Room Small Meeting Rooms Board Room Style

WBSC Facilities Casual Meeting Area With Free Wi Fi Tea / Coffee CAD Training Facilities. Access to CAD &Software

Visualisation Centres Telford and Wolverhampton

Events and Seminars  Full Programme of Events  HR and Legal Issues  Awareness and Information  Political Debates  Development Seminars  Business Matters Seminars

Business Solution Centre Award Winners

Any Questions