The New Round Of Innovation Vouchers Are Open Monday 8th February. 

What can you use an Innovation Voucher for? Innovation is about making your business better by doing things differently or doing different things. An Innovation Voucher can help you take a creative approach to tackling specific business issues or exploring new opportunities by accessing the expertise of a university, college or research body in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Typical projects are:

• Ideas for new or improved products, processes and services;
• Access to information and expertise on new materials;
• Tapping into research and scientific expertise.

For information on how to apply, click here.

Funding ¦ Ardean

£525M MADE AVAILABLE TO UK SMES

A total of £525m is being made available to UK small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) after Assetz Capital secured a major funding boost from several financial institutions.

The peer-to-peer alternative finance platform has revealed that £325m has been secured from two funds and a further £200m from retail investors. These funds are available now to bidders who successfully complete the application process.

This is in addition to Assetz Capital's retail investor base of 11,000 individuals now lending through the platform.

Assetz Capital offers a range of financial products to smaller businesses including commercial mortgages, secured SME term loans, development finance and bridging finance.

Learn More >>>

Funding ¦ Ardean

The Digital Garage from Google, helping small businesses grow online.

The Digital Garage is part of Google’s commitment to train one million Europeans to learn digital skills, which includes building an online training hub to support businesses anywhere in Europe continue their learning through training online.  


Sign up here

Marketing Communication ¦ Ardean

Mid Ulster To Benefit From £8m In Rural Development Funding

Rural communities and businesses in Mid Ulster are set to benefit from over £8M in LEADER project funding through the new Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme.

The information sessions will take place on:

• Monday 1 February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm in Corick House Hotel, Clogher;
• Thursday 4 February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm in Tullylagan Country House Hotel, Cookstown;
• Tuesday 9 February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm in Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera;
• Thursday 11 February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm in 3rd floor, Corn Mill, Coalisland.

For further information on LEADER Rural Development funding and the application process, contact the rural development team at Mid Ulster District Council on 028 8676 4714 or email eamon.gallogly@midulstercouncil.org  

Business Planning ¦ Funding ¦ Ardean

10 Epic Email Marketing Predictions

10 leading industry experts were asked to look into their crystal balls and make some bold predictions about email marketing. Find out their predictions and see if you are ready.

Read more >>>>

Marketing Communication ¦ Ardean

Intellectual Property Rights are becoming increasingly important to Northern Ireland businesses. 

Invest NI, in conjunction with the European Patent Office (EPO), are holding two workshops in this specialist area.  The workshops will be held on 02 and 03 February 2016, at Signal Centre for Business Excellence, Bangor.
The workshops will showcase EPO’s search engine Espacenet, an essential business tool when developing new products, with the database holding more than 50 million patent documents from around the world.
These workshops will be hosted by an EPO expert who will highlight how proficient use of patent literature is an essential tool in improving innovation and knowledge management, offering attendees a great opportunity to advance in these critical areas.

Book your place here >>>>

Business Planning ¦ Ardean

Are You Aware Of Enterprise Europe Network?

Through direct access to Europe's largest database of business opportunities, currently 10,000 live offers, they can help SMEs find new international partnerships with excellent growth potential.  They can also advise on the best opportunities to expand internationally, providing targeted market intelligence and personalised support.

find out more here >>>>

Business Planning ¦ Ardean