Marine-i launches initiative to get businesses ready for innovation

By Jane Richards - 22nd April 2021

Marine-i is launching a series of events and other activities to help businesses in Cornwall excel at innovation.

The ‘Empowered to Innovate’ programme will kick off with an event on 26th April.

The ongoing series of events will cover various aspects of strengthening business for innovation readiness, including financing, R&D tax credits, management, risk assessment, funding, protecting IP, strategy, marketing and collaboration.

‘Empowered to Innovate’ will also offer businesses access to a unique self-assessment tool  that will identify gaps in their readiness for innovation and provide tips and guidance of where to focus their efforts. The Innovation Fitness Test has been developed by Dr Bessant & Dr Alexander, at University of Exeter Business School.

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is designed to help the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation.

The ‘Empowered to Innovate’ programme is being led by Marine-i partner, Cornwall Marine Network.  Jane Richards of Cornwall Marine Network says: “This series sets out to inspire businesses to innovate and provide some of the practical tools and knowledge that will help get them prepared to do so successfully. We want to reach out to marine tech businesses but also other small and medium sized businesses in Cornwall and Scilly who may not currently be active in the marine sector. The marine tech sector is undergoing rapid growth and is now attracting innovative businesses from related fields.”

The first session will include talks by Dr Allen Alexander of University of Exeter and Tannuvi Ethunandan and Erin Morris of Data Duopoly.

Dr Allen Alexander will explain the principles of innovation readiness and the award-winning team from Data Duopoly will share their own story of successful innovation.

The follow up  event will be on 10th May and will be on the topic of ‘Managing your team for innovation and belief in your product’ by Miles Carden of  Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.

Prof Lars Johanning, Programme Director of Marine-I, says: “The innovation and ingenuity we see from businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is  outstanding. In the marine technology sector, local businesses are creating products and services which are world firsts.

We hope this series of free events will inspire businesses and also strengthen their innovation skills.”

To register a place, businesses should visit: https://www.marine-i.co.uk/event/51/empowered-to-innovate

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