EEDA - Innovation Vouchers

Innovation Vouchers

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Innovation Vouchers

Innovation vouchers are designed to help businesses in the East of England purchase academic expertise from the region’s universities and research institutes to support innovation and business improvement.

The voucher will entitle businesses to purchase specialist consultancy up to the value of £3000, which will provide up to one week of consultancy.

Easy to apply for and easy to spend, the vouchers enable businesses to work with academic institutions to investigate and resolve a business issue, quickly, efficiently and through a source not previously utilised.

Innovation Vouchers form part of Solutions for Business, a highly-targeted, publicly-funded suite of products and services offering solutions to real business needs and tackling market failure.

Round 2 of the scheme opened for applications on Monday 14 September 2009.

How the scheme works?

Eligible businesses need to submit an application form by 5.00pm 12 October 2009. See How to apply? for details.

Eligible applications will be awarded vouchers on a lottery basis, subject to the application addressing of one or more of the assessment criteria.

Successful applicants will be notified in writing within two weeks of the closing date for applications.

Applicants will then be matched to the most appropriate university or research institute by a specialist broker appointed by EEDA.

Am I eligible?

All small and medium enterprises (SMEs) registered and operating in the East of England are eligible to apply for an Innovation Voucher. By SME we refer to organisations that are registered companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million.

What are the assessment criteria?

In reviewing the application, EEDA will be looking to ensure that proposed project/collaboration will lead to one or more of the following:

future joint working with universities and research institutes
the creation of new jobs.
the filing of patents or licensing agreements
improved levels of customer satisfaction with the support provided (e.g. ease of access to the product, application process etc)
the introduction of a new/improved product or service
the creation of linkages with external science, engineering and technology sources

Preference will be given to businesses that have not already redeemed an Innovation Voucher. Website and marketing assistance are provided through Business Link and other organisations, support for these areas will not normally be eligible under the Innovation Vouchers scheme.