Bristol compares innovation to Christmas stockings and Wile E. Coyote
As part of Bristol Tech Festival, Innovate UK worked with local partners to convene the innovation ecosystem in Innovate Local: Bristol. The day was filled with fantastic speakers across plenaries, pitches, panels and workshops.
Event programme
Stephen Bashford, Strategic Director of Economy and Skills at the West of England Combined Authority gave a forward look at their objectives to achieve a greener, more equal, fair and inclusive region, by working with partners, including Innovate UK, to create programmes which address gaps and opportunities.
Innovate UK’s Regional Manager for the South West, Layla Burrows spoke of the strengths in local partnerships, and encouraged the audience to broaden their horizons by seeking partners and collaborators. Layla’s ambition for the West of England Local Action Plan over the coming years is to:
- Increase investment and support provider presence.
- Join up the dots for innovators to secure investment through more co-creation with local partners.
Executive Director – Place, Skills & Knowledge Transfer at Innovate UK Business Connect, Steve Welch, recognised that access to expertise and knowledge transfer can be tricky for innovators, but the impact of receiving innovation support goes far beyond the value of a grant.
Support providers then gave a taster pitch of the support available to local innovators, followed by a panel of local innovators who gave the honest truth about the highs and lows of innovating.
Innovate UK is like a Christmas stocking. The further you delve into it, the more you find.
– Jen Williams, Chief Financial Officer at Oort Energy.
Oort Energy successfully delivered its first off-grid commercial electrolyser stack with green hydrogen made entirely from solar energy.
Being an innovator is like being Wile E. Coyote. You’re constantly jumping off cliffs. Sometimes, you fall flat on your face. Other times, gravity defies itself and as you hover on the spot, a magical bit of scaffolding appears to take you back to land. Innovate UK is that scaffolding helping you get back on track.
– Neil Morris, Chief Executive and Co-founder of Kelpi.
Starting with seaweed, Kelpi’s bioplastic coating provides a world-leading water barrier that offers a real alternative to fossil-fuel plastics.
Charlie Guy, CEO and co-founder of LettUs Grow told the audience how local innovation support providers helped to develop their aeroponic technology that allows plants to grow faster while using less water, fertiliser and zero pesticides.
Simon Boas, Director at Mezze, stated that there are multitudes of routes into Innovate UK support that enhance businesses in various ways. Mezze features integrations specifically for the Food Manufacturing industry using latest technology to streamline orders.
A big thank you to local partners for making Innovate Local: Bristol possible, speakers for taking the time to provide their insights and knowledge, and all those in attendance for your excellent engagement.
Download the key note presentations.
Specific programmes covered on the day – find out more about Innovate UK’s products & services
After networking opportunities, the afternoon saw a plethora of workshops for delegates to choose from.
Financing your business innovation journey
UK registered SME businesses can apply for loan funding for innovative late-stage research and development projects with strong commercial potential that will significantly boost the UK economy.
Innovate UK Innovation Loans
Reinforce your innovation potential through grant funding and KTPs
Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) bring together forward-thinking businesses and organisations, academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment.
Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Innovate UK Catapult Network
The Innovate UK Catapult Network provides a unique combination of cutting-edge R&D facilities and world-class technical expertise to support UK business innovation. They are a critical element of Innovate UK’s portfolio of products and services, where the application of research is accelerated, and where new technologies are further developed, scaled up and realised.
Discover the location of the Catapults by clicking on the dots in the interactive map.
Innovate UK NO Limits
Develop your talent, discover opportunities to build your skills and secure investment for innovation. No Limits brings you the best initiatives from innovative organisations across the UK.
Innovate UK – No Limits Platform
Fostering Business Growth
Innovate UK Business Growth – for innovation-driven businesses from all sectors who want to grow at pace. Email: contact@innovateukedge.ukri.org
International Sales Growth
The Department for Business & Trade ran the session on international sales growth.
Innovate UK Global Alliance
Innovate UK Innovation Hub
All public funding and support for innovation in one place, summarised and easy to find, to save you time and effort
About Innovate Local
The Innovate Local programme is now in its sixth year and provides an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to find out more about the products and services offered through Innovate UK and our partners, that can really help guide and transform businesses.
Find out about upcoming Innovate Local events.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.