Bristol Futures

It is a really exciting time at the SSE with huge interest in the Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs Course that will be run all over the UK over the next 5 years. Applications are coming in thick and fast and so if you would like to take this great opportunity - apply today and
don't miss out!

There are two courses on offer.

START-UP
If you have an idea for a project OR an existing business that is less than 2 years old that will benefit the community and/or the environment then the START-UP course is for you. This course will be run in Bristol and 7 other locations around the country. Using the unique learning
methodology of the SSE, you will learn about setting up a social enterprise, strategy, working with people, money and business planning, marketing, leadership, presentation skills and working out your social impact.

Each participant will also receive a grant of £4,000 to support the development of their project. 

SCALE-UP
If you have an established organisation and you are looking to develop it further, the SCALE-UP programme will equip you will all the the tools to take your project to the next level and further maximise its social impact. This course will be run from our centre in London. Once again,
using the unique 'learning by doing' techniques of the SSE, this course will cover strategies for growth and sustainability, partnerships, staff developement, leading in a changing environment, trading, impact and evaluation and funding and investment for growth.

Each participant on the SCALE-UP course will also receive a grant of £15,000 towards the development of their organisation.

To find out all about the courses and to apply, please go to
www.the-sse.org

The Commission has published an orientation paper for the Energy Work Programme 2013 on the FP7 Participant Portal at https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/ShowDoc/Extensions+Repository/General+Documentation/Orientation+papers+2013/Cooperation/fp7-energy-orientation-paper_en.pdf

This paper is made public at an early stage in the adoption process of the Work Programme to provide potential applicants with the currently expected main lines of the 2013 Work Programme. It is a working document not yet endorsed by the Commission and its content does not in any way prejudge the subsequent modifications by the Commission, the subsequent formal opinion of the Programme Committee or the final decision of the Commission. The final adoption and the publication of the Work Programme by the Commission are expected in mid-July 2012. Only the adopted Work Programme will have legal value. Information and topic descriptions indicated in this orientation paper may not appear in the final Work Programme; and likewise, new elements may be introduced at a later stage. The Commission expressly disclaims liability for any future changes of the content of this document.

There is currently one live call for outline applications under Priority Axis 3, which aims to stimulate enterprise in deprived urban areas. A prospectus providing full details is available as a download in the link below. The deadline for receipt of completed outline applications is 12 noon on Friday 1st June 2012.

ERDF is a component of the European Union's Structural Funds, which are monies allocated directly to regions to stimulate their economic development and can have a significant impact on the places where they are invested.

ERDF investments are subject to a number of requirements in order to meet the regulations associated with the Programme. These include the type of activity that can be supported, the way the project should be delivered and the requirements an applicant must meet in order to be considered eligible to apply for ERDF funding. These requirements are set out in the prospectus which can be found in the link below:

More information: http://www.communities.gov.uk/regeneration/regenerationfunding/europeanregion...

Helping South West companies do business in Europe!

This month our team of advisors have been working with South West companies to help them find new business partners and we're ready to help you too! We're already getting responses from our European colleagues from companies looking to work with South West companies. These include a Bristol based company looking for manufacturers to produce their fully automated hand wash system, a company in Devon that need partners to licence their leak detection software and an ICT company that has developed a world leading text-to-speech technology device to help elderly people remain independent in their own homes. We're always keen to work with more companies ? Could your business benefit from a partnering agreement? you can start to search for your own European partner now, or contact us to find out how we can help.

Winning EU R&D Funding

Improving your chances South West companies are being given assistance to access over 52 Billion worth of EU funding for research and development thanks to an event being organised by EEN. The Framework Programme 7 (FP7) Masterclass, organised in partnership with the ICT Knowledge Transfer Network and Bishop Fleming, will take place in Exeter on the 29th May. Delegates will gain a comprehensive view of the main areas that any organisation planning to participate in FP7 should be aware of. More information and online booking for the event is available on our website. We are also starting to understand the likely contents for the final round of FP7 calls, to be released this summer. If you would like to discuss the upcoming FP7 calls to identify if it is suitable for your organisation please do get in touch.

Eco Innovation Information Day - London - May 11th

Funding to help environmentally sustainable solutions get to market will be the topic of conversation at an event about the Eco-Innovation Programme. The event, organised by EEN, will inform attendees on how to obtain funding from the scheme, which bridges the gap between research and the market for innovative environmental projects. More information and online booking is available here.

Regional funding for microelectronics

Our partners at the Microelectronics iNet are offering funding to support the innovative use of microelectronics technology in new products and services. Grants of up to 10,000 are available for South West companies from any sector of industry, as long the project demonstrates an innovative use of microelectronics. For more information on this scheme and related events visit website.

Central Europe - Time to think Emerging Europe

Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic offer great opportunities for South West exporters and thanks to an event organised by our colleagues at UK Trade and Investment you can make those first steps into these emerging markets. At this event delegates will be given advice on how to do business in Eastern Europe, learn from experienced exporters and gain valuable information from overseas commercial officers from these markets. The event will take place on the 22nd May at Tortworth Court, Wotton-Under-Edge and booking is open now!

Plans for level playing field for EU businesses in international procurement

The European Commission proposes to improve business opportunities for EU firms in procurement markets. The main objective of this initiative is to help open worldwide public procurement markets making sure European businesses have fair access to all opportunities. The proposal also aims to ensure that all companies are on an equal footing when it comes to competing for business in the EU's lucrative public procurement market. More on this initiative can be found on our website. If you are looking to access European tender opportunities we can help via our 'Tender Alert Service'.

Albania joins the Enterprise Europe Network

Expanding abroad is one area where EEN helps small businesses. New opportunities are now possible in Albania where four contact points have been established. If you want to find new business in Albania, or any other of our 51 countries worldwide that EEN is active in then get in touch.

Venue: Bath Road studios, Bath Rd Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1SN
Date: Wednesday, 23rd May 2012
Timings: 5.30pm welcome drinks, 6.00pm - 7.00pm meeting commences,
followed by drinks and canapes 

Insider Creative Industry Forum are providing a timely opportunity to find out more about a sector that is central to the growth of the South West economy. George Osborne’s budget may have been a mixed bag, but creatives in the South West had reason to cheer, with Aardman being namechecked by the Chancellor as he pledged tax breaks for animation, game designers and TV producers. Bristol was also included in the list of core cities to receive a share of a £100m investment in ultra-fast broadband. With this pat on the back comes pressure - the creative sectors are expected to be a serious provider of jobs and economic growth in the coming years. Is Bristol still a media heavyweight? What is the potential of Bath’s burgeoning digital sector? Who are the up and
coming stars in film, video games and music? This event will look to provide some answers to the big questions - what are the region’s key strengths, where does it need major improvement and which parts of the creative industry grouping have most potential for serious growth?

Timings are as follows:
5.30pm: welcome drinks
6.00pm: meeting commences
7.00pm: drinks and canapes

If you require any further information please contact Claire Turnbull on claire.turnbull@newsco.com.

Applications are now open for a UKTI Multi-Sector Trade Mission to China, led by Lord Green from the 28th May - 1st June 2012. The multi-sector mission is timed to coincide with the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and will also include a "UK Day" Showcase with networking and bespoke b2b meetings, networking with Chinese government officials and more.The mission will be made up of UK companies from a number of sectors including Digital Media and Advertising/Branding/Corporate Communications.

Benefits of participating in the mission include:

* Expert support & advice from UKTI staff based in the UK & China
* Tailored "UK Day" showcase, organised by UKTI, with networking & bespoke b2b meetings
* Exceptional networking opportunities with Chinese government officials, buyers, press & other mission attendees
* Free entry & participation at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS)
* High publicity & media exposure for the UK delegation. Event will be led by Lord Green & is part of the UK government's Great Campaign in China
* UK showcase event & mission delegation will be advertised in CIFTIS promotional materials

The participation fee for this Mission is £888 per company (including VAT). Closing date for applications is Friday 20th April 2012.

To apply, complete the application form in the link below and return to Allegra at B-to-B (details on form). Closing date for applications is Friday 20th April 2012.

For more information on how to apply see the following links:

 http://chinwag.com/blogs/lauren-cotton/applications-open-ukti-multi-sector-mission-china-led-lord-green-may-2012?utm_source=Digital+Mission&utm_campaign=5cd19bd184-Digital_Mission_Newsletter_w_c_2_4_124_4_2012&utm_medium=email

http://chinwag.com/files/ukti_china_multi-sector_mission_booking_form.doc?utm...

http://chinwag.com/blogs/lauren-cotton/applications-open-ukti-multi-sector-mi...

China International Fair: http://www.ciftis.org/en?utm_source=Digital+Mission&utm_campaign=5cd19bd1...

Tech All Stars connects twelve of the best web entrepreneurs from accelerators and web camp competitions across Europe with top EU funding sources, successful entrepreneurs, and hot networking opportunities. Tech All Stars is THE event for Europe's best and brightest startups.

Tech All Stars is organized by the European Commission Information Society and Media and will be held in June 20th - 21st 2012 in London.

The winner will also be invited to the Digital Agenda Assembly plenary on June 22nd in Brussels.
Startups must apply for a spot at Tech All Stars. 12 of the best startups will be selected to participate.

The Commission is looking for tech startups that are registered within the EU and are ready to change the world! There are a few criteria that you must meet to participate:

Your startup is:
●registered within the EU
●less than 3 years old
●has raised less than 1,000,000 Euros in external capital

Tech All Stars is reserved for accelerator graduates and web camp winners. However, the Commission is also taking 'wildcards'. Wildcards are hot tech startups that may not have gone through an accelerator or web camp, but have a FANTASTIC startup anyway.

The Commission wants to foster an environment of growth for startups in the EU. Tech All Stars increases visibility for startups in the European market and provides a forum for presenting startup ideas to angel investors, top executives, mentors, and VCs. The Commission is looking for tomorrow's startup superstars within the EU tech community. Tech All Stars is a good opportunity to engage with new startups that are working on innovative technologies.

For more information see: www.techallstars.eu