A summary of funding, support programmes, training opportunities and events for UK innovative tech Businesses

1. Digital
& Creative Business Briefing
May 2019

2. Content
• Feature
• Funding competitions
• Support programmes
• Training and Awards
• Upcoming events
• Investors Directory
• Networks
• Register for updates

3. Feature
Fintech MatchMaking event
Apply by 7th May 2019
Event date: 13th June 2019
The Knowledge Transfer Network in partnership with Early Metrics is hosting an exclusive Fintech Matchmaking evening event
on Thursday 13th June as part of London Tech Week. This event will offer innovative tech start-ups the opportunity to meet
leading organisations and commercial partners in the financial sector to help them solve R&D challenges. Confirmed
participants include Barclays, Citi Group, Deutsche Bank, Fidelity, HSBC, ING, Lloyds, Natwest Markets, UBS and BAE Systems
Applied Intelligence.
If you are an innovative startup and SME interested in attending the event please submit your application by 7th May:
bit.ly/FintechMatchmaking
READ MORE

4. Funding
CELTIC - NEXT spring 2019: innovative 5G infrastructure and applications
• UK organisations can apply for a share of up to £1 million for 5G collaborative R&D projects in the EUREKA CELTIC
programme.
• The aim of this competition is to encourage the development of 5G in an international collaborative environment by
helping UK organisations take part in the CELTIC programme.
• Your project must focus on one of the following 2 overall themes:
• Innovative 5G infrastructure technologies, and in particular artificial intelligence (AI) in network operation or
multi-access edge computing (MEC).
• Applications and services that use 5G networks to offer a new or improved user experience. This includes the
development of 5G features in satellite networks or 5G applications and services integrating satellites. These
projects are expected to consider security aspects.
READ MORE

5. Funding
UK and South Korea: joint research and development
• The UK and South Korea announce a joint funding competition for R&D projects under the
EUREKA programme. UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £1 million.
• This will support collaborative, business led research and development (R&D) projects, which
should result in a new product, industrial process or service. Projects must be innovative and
involve a technological risk.
• Your project must focus one or both of the following:
• Advanced materials for transport (air, land and maritime) with a focus on materials
development
• Internet of Things, with a clearly-identified industry or vertical sector application, not a
horizontal or generic platform
READ MORE

6. Funding
Developing digital roads and improving air quality: SBRI competition
Closing date: 8th May 2019
Highways England is funding 2 parallel competitions for solutions and ideas designed for use on UK
roads.
Development and pilot only, 1 phase
Feasibility study and development or pilot, 2 phases
Your idea must be suitable for trial on the strategic road network in England.

7. Funding
Heathrow 2019 Innovation Prize
Closing date: 22nd May 2019
We don’t have all the answers, but we do have an airport! Working together we can pilot your idea to
help you get it off the ground and, we hope, help us make progress in one of our sustainability
challenge areas.
We encourage organisations of any size to apply for the £30,000 prize with your ideas, particularly
with product or service innovations that are ready (or nearly ready) for market and looking for
somewhere to be trialled.
There are some limitations to what we can pilot so please do read the Terms and Conditions.
READ MORE

8. Support programmes
NCSC Cyber Accelerator
Application deadline: 28th April 2019
The NCSC Cyber Accelerator is a collaboration between DCMS, the NCSC and Wayra, part of Telefonica. It provides a 9-month,
residential programme based in Cheltenham for UK start-ups offering the next-generation cyber security solutions. We’re
looking for companies that are using innovative techniques to address the following cyber security challenges: helping users
(from individuals to organisations) to be safe online, understanding networks and enhancing their security; and detecting and
responding to cyber attacks.
To apply for the programme, your business must:
• Be registered in the UK and have an active UK presence
• Have a minimum viable product
• Address one of the NCSC challenges
• READ MORE

9. Support programmes
Startupbootcamp AfriTech
Application deadline: 23rd May 2019
Startupbootcamp AfriTech is a leading accelerator focused on high-growth startupsin blockchain,
connected devices, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, integrated supply chain,
e-commerce, retailtech, insurtech, alternative financing, identity management, digital connectivity, data
and behavioural analytics and enabling technologies.
The accelerator is anchored by leading corporate sponsors Old Mutual, RCS, BNP
Paribas, Nedbank and PwC that will support and grow the program and selected startups. Global sponsor
being Amazon Web Services.
READ MORE

10. Support programmes
StateZero Labs
Application deadline: 12th July 2019
The StateZero programme is thirteen weeks long and tackles the biggest barriers to entry and growth for
early-stage startups. We address all the key challenges from early product development and tech
integration, through to investor pitch refinement, and customer acquisition. All of this alongside offering
high-quality business workshops and mentorship from leading industry professionals. As a result, our
programme consists of four key stages… Learn, Build, Develop, Reflect.
READ MORE

11. Support programmes
CyLon
Application deadline: 14th July 2019
Our world-leading accelerator programmes run twice a year at our hubs in both London and Singapore.
Join us for three months and we’ll connect you to industry leaders to help you grow in the way you need.
Each programme culminates in a Demo Day, when teams pitch their product to a curated, invite-only
audience of over 150 customers and investors.
Your time with CyLon won’t end after three months. As you grow, the CyLon team and our global
network will be there every step of the way. Our collective experience will help you to build a
sustainable, scalable business.
READ MORE

12. Support programmes
HutZero
Application deadline: 21st July 2019
HutZero is the leading early-stage entrepreneur bootcamp which helps you gain all the tools you need to
get your idea off the ground.
Whether you are just finishing your studies on cyber security, or have worked in the corporate world for
a number of years, HutZero supports individuals at the very start of their entrepreneurial journey.
Run by CyLon and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), HutZero’s FREE two-stage
programme connects 20 budding UK entrepreneurs with potential co-founders and a broad network of
cyber and innovation experts.
READ MORE

13. Support programmes
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
• The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses in the UK to innovate and grow by
linking them with an academic or research organisation and a graduate.
• The scheme can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on what the project is and the needs of the
business.
• A KTP is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute to the salary of the Associate who will work
with your business, plus the cost of a supervisor who will oversee the scheme.
READ MORE

14. Support programmes
Develop your AI solutions with The Alan Turing Institute
Open call
New collaboration between The Alan Turing Institute and Digital Catapult provides funding for London
startups and scaleups to open their data challenges to researchers.
This collaboration will provide financial support for nine separate startup or scaleup companies to
participate as a Challenge Owner in any one of the Data Study Groups held between December 2018 and
March 2020.
READ MORE

15. Support programmes
SETsquared Support Programme
From idea to scale-up, SETsquared has a comprehensive range of programmes which will help boost your
business to the next level.
SETsquared is a unique enterprise partnership and a dynamic collaboration between the five leading
research-led UK universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. Twice ranked as
the Global No. 1 Business Incubator, we provide a wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes
to help turn ideas into thriving businesses.
READ MORE

16. Support programmes
Westcott Business Incubation Centre support programmes
The Westcott Business Incubation Centre (BIC) is located on the Westcott Venture Park, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Our mission is to encourage the development of new companies working in the strategic growth areas of rocket
propulsion, 5G communications, drones and other autonomous systems.
You can find out more about our focus areas
Westcott is already home to a thriving nucleus of space companies. The Westcott BIC will work together with existing
expertise on the site and other planned investments, including the UK Space Agency’s National Propulsion Test
Centre, Reaction Engines’ rocket engine test facility, the Westcott 5G Step-out Centre and the Westcott Innovation Centre.
The Westcott BIC is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)and developed by the Satellite
Applications Catapult, Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust and Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise
Partnership (BTVLEP).
READ MORE

17. Training
Pitchfest London
Application deadline: 29th April 2019
Training and showcase programme designed to help ambitious business founders become pitch ready.
Pitchfest London is a programme of four events which culminates with the Investor Showcase where
selected companies will pitch to a room of investors
Tuesday, 14 May – Training Day 1
Thursday, 23 May – Training Day 2
Tuesday, 18 June – Selection Day
Thursday, 27 June – Investor Showcase
READ MORE

18. Training
UCL Blockchain Executive Education Evening Programme
Tuesday evening from 21st May to 9th July
A unique programme for business strategists, innovators, futurists and public sector planners to gain a rigorous understanding
of the impact of Distributed Ledger Technologies on industry and society, both today and in the future. Exclusive to our
community, use the code INNOVATE to get a 33% discount.
READ MORE

19. Awards
Digital Impact Awards
Open for entries: 4th February 2019
Final deadline: 21st July 2019
Awards Ceremony: October 2019
The Digital Impact Awards sets the industry-wide benchmark in digital stakeholder engagement. The event honours the
best corporate digital communications work in Europe.
The Digital Impact Awards has a long-standing reputation in the digital community as the leading event honouring the best
corporate digital work. Winning a Digital Impact Award helps set organisations apart from their competitors and provides
the opportunity to sustain their current clients, gain new business and engage internal teams.
READ MORE

20. Upcoming events
Competition Briefing Event around 5G
7th May, London
Eureka Global Innovation Summit 2019
14th May, London
London Tech Week
10th – 14th June, London
London Fintech Week
5th – 10th July, London
An Advanced Introduction to 5G Technology
2nd May, Cambridge
5G wide area coverage: macro cells – the why and
the how
9th May, Cambridge
5G World & AR/VR World Summit
11th – 13th June, London
Digital Business Meet-Up – Immersive theme
6th June, London
5G in Action
5th July, Bournemouth
5G: Revolution or Evolution
16th July, London
Keep up-to-date with KTN events here

21. Investment
Private Investment Directory – Digital Refer
Digital Refer now includes more than 250 organisations that provide private investment to
digital and creative businesses in the UK including:
• Accelerator programmes
• Business incubators
• Start-up studios
• Venture Capital funds
• Angel investor networks
• Corporate Venture Capital firm
LINK

22. Networks: Immerse UK
• Augmented and Virtual Reality Independent Network
• Bringing together businesses, public sector & research
• Free to Join
• Learn more about Immersive Tech developments
• Help shape UK funding & research policy
• Showcase your ideas & identify funding opportunities
• Make business connections & form collaborative partnerships
http://www.immerseuk.org/

23. Networks: UK5G
https://uk5g.org/
• Promotion of research, collaboration and the commercial application of 5G in the UK
• Share the knowledge and lessons of 5G Testbeds & Trials projects
• Enable new partnerships between technologists, potential new entrants and major industrial
adopters
• Support local (and international) investment opportunities

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