MID WALES CHALLENGE LED LAUNCHPAD SERIES

Tender description

The Mid Wales Challenge Led Launchpad Series is part of the Growing Mid Wales Partnership an initiative representing the region's interests and priorities for improvements to the local economy. This programme is delivered by AberInnovation and Innovation Strategy in collaboration with Ceredigion County Council, Powys County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Powys Teaching Health Board. The Mid Wales Challenge Led Launch Pad Series is inviting projects to develop innovative solutions which can advance our environment in Mid Wales. We are seeking expressions of interest from private, public and third sectors organisations to tender for R&D contracts of up to £30,000 (inclusive of VAT) per project to develop and prototype their new products and services. This challenge is supported by the Welsh Government and the UK Government. The Mid Wales Challenge Led Launch Pad Series is a new programme aimed at developing novel solutions to public sector and societal issues through research and innovation whilst offering new market opportunities for businesses and people in Mid Wales. The programme will enable businesses to analyse and evaluate the potential of concepts and ideas for eventual public sector deployment through collaboration with academia and regional leadership to encourage success and growth. Through a collaborative working model, it will deliver expertise and resources to accelerate the development of innovative businesses and accelerate growth through high impact innovation. This new programme will involve stakeholders from public, private, and academic sectors identifying and selecting the most pressing, regional societal issues requiring solutions and working together to support businesses in the development of solutions to the identified problem. This will include tailored support and the potential to utilise unique regional capital assets and technology to support businesses in the development of novel solutions. Challenge Led Launch Pads will provide excellent opportunities for businesses to develop and demonstrate technology to a range of stakeholders within the partnership acting as potential customers. Importantly, challenges not only need innovative solutions, but they also need skilled people to deliver the need in the region. Skills are often the biggest issue and priority for business and installing a well skilled and able labour market to support our industries of the future is crucial for innovative businesses. Challenge Led Launch Pads will support individuals in the development of skills and knowledge throughout Mid Wales communities through an innovative work placement and match making scheme known as the Launch Pad Skills Builder. Individuals will be offered opportunities to work alongside successful businesses to gain new skills and knowledge throughout the duration of the project. Businesses will provide tasks and offer shadowing opportunities to individuals to stimulate new ideas and increase confidence during the programme. Through this approach businesses will benefit from additional resource, improved skills and understanding of how to employ new staff. Individuals stand to benefit through the development of news skills supporting their careers, building relationships with potential long-term employers, and improving the chance of sustainable employment. Challenge Led Launch Pads aim to address core areas of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to help renew our communities and build a more productive and prosperous economy in Mid Wales. Applications must be submitted via the Sell2Wales postbox and the deadline for applications is noon on the 10th January 2022.