Department for Business and Trade Update

From 11 to 15 November 2024, International Trade Week will include events led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to help businesses of all sizes maximise their global potential.  Whether you’re looking to secure your first export contract or expand your existing international sales, ITW will have something for you. To view the programme and register for an event please visit – https://www.great.gov.uk/campaign-site/itw/

The Department for Business and Trade’s UK Defence & Security Exports in collaboration with ADS Scotland will be running an SME Surgery on Thursday 28th November (0930-1300) at Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh and virtually via Ms Teams.  The surgery will give businesses an insight into how to access export opportunities in the defence, security and aerospace sector and how the UK Defence & Security Exports team can support you.  Following the presentations and discussions there will be a networking opportunity over lunch and the opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with members of the team.  To express your interest in attending please follow the link and register.  All attendees will be sent confirmation, final agenda and joining instructions the week before the surgery.

Organised by SPIE, Photonics West is the largest international trade show for photonics companies.   Delegates on DBT’s trade mission, alongside will gain access to the trade show itself and benefit from an in-market welcome briefing, feature in the UK delegation digital lookbook, and participate in exclusive networking events etc.  For more information and to register your interest by 15th November please following the link – https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/15264/

The UK Government is delighted to announce UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025. This is the UK’s flagship annual event on science, innovation and technology in Southeast Asia and this year’s event will run from Monday 24 March to Friday 28 March 2025 in the Philippines (Manila) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City).  DBT are seeking to recruit 10 UK AI and data companies offering enterprise technology solutions who want to expand their commercial partnerships with the region. For more information to register your interest please follow https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/13998/  Deadline is 02 December 2024.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) spearheads land transport developments in Singapore.   There is a call for solutions for “Enhancing Traffic & Road Operations Using On-board Bus Cameras”.  LTA has an estimated 6,000 buses operated by the Public Transport Operators (PTOs) and they want to better utilise the existing bus camera platform to support new applications that can expand detection capabilities and improve safety and operational response time.  Please find the link to the problem statement – Problem Statement Brief – Enhancing Traffic & Road Operations Using On-board Bus Cameras.pdf (lta.gov.sg)  Submission closes on 21 November 2024

The Smart Nano NI Technology Access Programme offers fully funded mentoring, expert guidance, and access to cutting-edge photonics and future networks technologies, commencing in January 2025.

Designed to drive innovation across Northern Ireland, the programme helps companies stay competitive by developing new products and services to solve complex challenges using the latest technologies

Choose between two tracks—Photonics or Future Networks (e.g., 5G, and NB-IoT)—with flexible, tailored support from Digital Catapult’s expert technologists, offering up to 10 hours of consultation.  Established startups and SMEs in Northern Ireland and across the UK can apply to upskill in Industrial Photonics or Future Network Technologies (such as 5G and, NB-IoT).  Applicants must be a UK based registered company, or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK and undertake all project activity in the UK.  For more information please follow:  https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/apply/open-calls/opportunity/smart-nano-technology-access-programme/?utm_source=dc_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=monthly_round_up_oct_24

IMPACT30 is a programme designed to develop young business leaders of the future. It is custom-designed to help you make an impact in your industry. The programme will work with you as an individual, focusing on the tools, skills and knowledge required to grow your business.  For more information and to register please follow https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/nih/impact30/

The latest KPMG Private Enterprise Access – Future of Work programme is specifically for founders preparing for Series A in the next 6-12 months.  This cohort will comprise businesses defining the Future of Work: using cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to tackle the biggest challenges facing leadership, workforce and customer delivery to embrace new opportunities for business.    For more information on the programme and to register please visit the website.  Places are limited and the deadline for registrations is 15 November 2024.

Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) has recently launched its 5th Open Call Dimension X from 28 October to 29 November 2024.  Dimension X is an open innovation challenge by Hatch that accelerates and validates technologies from global deep-tech start-ups with dual-use potential for public safety and security.   Start-ups will receive funding opportunities and collaborate with operational and technical experts from Home Team end-users and HTX respectively to develop a Proof-of-Concept (POC) in collaboration with Singapore’s public safety and security officers and scientists/engineers to validate their technologies.  Interested start-ups or scale-ups in your community can apply for our challenge here.  Applications close on 29 November 2024, 10pm SGT (UTC+8) /2pm (UTC).

UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.  UK businesses can apply for a loan of between £100,000 and £2 million to fund a project’s eligible costs.  Projects can last up to five years, including both the R&D and commercialisation phases. Projects are expected to start by 1 June 2025. Your exact project start date and first innovation loan drawdown will depend on the timing of the final credit committee decision and completion of loan documentation.  Deadline Wednesday 8 January 2025.  https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2075/overview/276c06c5-bd53-437b-8279-0d550b198d44#summary

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2 million for Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to support AI upskilling in BridgeAI key sectors. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation and will invest up to £2 million in innovation projects as part of the BridgeAI programme.  The aim of this competition is to develop responsible and ethical AI personalised learning solutions, to support AI competency development in the key sectors of construction / transport and logistics / creative industries / agriculture and food processing.  Deadline Wednesday 29 January 2025.  https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2072/overview/37897e42-6e3e-43af-b13d-3e302bc0bcf9

HIE support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how they can help you – https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/?currentPageId=1879&page=1&showAllResults=false

SOSE provides support for people, businesses and enterprises in the south who want to create impact and help people and communities to flourish.  https://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/support

Scottish Enterprise helps businesses transform Scotland’s economy.  https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/

Scottish Development International (SDI) is the international arm of Scottish Enterprise helping businesses based in Scotland to exporting goods or services to new markets.  https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/support-for-businesses/exports-and-international-markets