NEW FUNDING and support is now available to drive business growth in the local immersive and creative technology cluster in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Businesses across the region are encouraged to apply to a share of up to £4.35million from Innovate UK.
Through its Launchpad programme, Innovate UK has already awarded the area over £3million to provide funding, support, and networking opportunities to help businesses to innovate, grow and scale-up.
The Launchpad was developed through a partnership between Innovate UK, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Projects for the new round of funding must focus on immersive and creative industries – including digital and mixed media, augmented and virtual reality, game engine and virtual production including 3D environments, simulations and data visualisations or motion capture including performance capture and gesture and facial recognition.
Businesses can apply for MFA grant funding between £25k and £100k or larger-scale collaborative research and development projects between £150k and £1million.
The funding is aimed at projects including creative, healthcare, education, future mobility, manufacturing, retail and tourism.
Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire is renowned for our innovation which drives forward our economy and creates jobs.
“This latest Launchpad competition demonstrates our strength at fostering innovation to enable talented entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and take on more highly-skilled staff to meet our county’s sustainable and inclusive ambitions.
“Previous rounds of funding have led to Coventry and Warwickshire businesses developing mixed reality manufacturing environments, a 3D data visualisation toolset, and immersive gaming with educational and ethical benefits.
“This Launchpad funding will give businesses involved in technology developments the opportunity to make the most of their talents and build on our sub-region’s reputation for attracting inward investors as well as our commitment to long-term economic stability.”
Visit: iuk.ktn-uk.org/programme/launchpads/ to apply by December 11, at 11am.
