GX is a legacy project from the Great Exhibition of the North which is led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), and supported by the Innovation Super Network and Newcastle City Council. It started by supporting innovative collaborations throughout the Exhibition and has gone on to provide grants for SME innovations, facilitate collaborations between Universities and SMEs to progress product development, and brought innovation challenges from corporates and organisations to North East SMEs.
We’re delighted to report that the GX Project has been extended for one more year and therefore we are able to bring you further grants, events and collaborative opportunities in 2020, including:
- The launch of a fresh wave of grants – These will provide up to 40% funding for North East SMEs towards external expertise, consultancy and specialist advice to help the development of innovative products and services in Smart Specialisiation Sectors. The grants are designed to support the development of your product or service and bring it closer to the market.
- Challenges from corporates and organisations – We’re exploring innovation challenges and calls for open innovation which could be made available to North East SMEs.
- Events and Workshops – We’re shaping up an innovation themed programme that will be of interest for a range of companies and organisations across all Smart Specialisation Areas. We’re always open to ideas about themes and speakers that would support companies so please send us an email if there’s something you’d like to see included.
- Support and signposting – If you’re developing a new product or service, talk to us about your project. We may be able to help, or signpost to experts, to provide support with the following; Grants, R & D tax credits, IP, Business planning, Product development, Marketing and the Innovation Journey.
- Links to a feasibility plan for a Festival of Creativity and Innovation – Alongside GX, NGI is also shaping up a feasibility plan for a North East Festival of Creative of Innovation in 2022. To help build the plan we aim to run a series of focus groups exploring how best to showcase the North East’s excellence in Smart Specialisation areas. This also would put the NE in a great position to benefit from potential links to the UK wide Festival of Creativity and Innovation, also planned for 2022.