XpoNorth Digital

Tender description

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. The XpoNorth Digital contract is delivered under the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH): the NIH is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by GBP315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The XpoNorth Digital programme has the specific intention of supporting businesses to develop digital practices and to maximise exploitation of the crowd economy. The services will be required from 1 August 2022 for an initial period of 2 years (until 31 July 2024), with HIE having the option to extend two times for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years - latest potential expiry date: 31 July 2026). The initial 2-year budget currently available to deliver this service was between GBP 438,000 and GBP 732,000 (excluding VAT). The budget includes funding from HIE to allow the services to be delivered across the whole Highlands and Islands region, although the volume of clients outside of the Highland Council area is currently limited due to funding. The programme of activity will work with clients to: -Increase the impact of the crowd economy in the region – more effectively using consumers to buy, to test new ideas on and to promote the business / organisation/community. -Assess opportunities for digital innovation around the individual clients’ current business. -Support the planning, development and delivery of new immersive content and experiences to engage consumers more effectively. -Encourage and support the development of new digital business models for the creative sector, including the use of platforms such as Patreon. -Access networks training and advice to maximise exploitation of IP and other assets digitally.