East Midlands construction companies looking for advice, support or financial help to develop their innovative ideas are encouraged to attend the Renewable Technology briefing event.

The free Renewable and Low Carbon Technologies breakfast briefing will take place at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester on Wednesday 30 September 2009, from 8.15 am.

The Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet), Loughborough University and BRE will be at the event with advisers on hand to give advice and answer questions about zero-carbon housing, renewable and low carbon technologies and government legislation. Information on innovation support and funding initiatives will also be available.

Introduced by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Sustainable Construction iNet has a number of roles, including sourcing funding to help businesses introduce innovative, sustainable construction processes into new-build and refurbishments as well as renewable energy products. 

"The East Midlands has traditionally a very strong construction sector," says Charles Meynell, Senior Business Adviser at the Sustainable Construction iNet. "However, in the midst of a serious economic downturn that is having a particularly savage effect on the construction sector, it is vitally important that builders and organisations throughout the supply chain continue to innovate and invest in research and development.

"Primarily, we are here to support companies with fewer than 250 employees who have commercially-viable, well defined ideas, products or processes that we can help them develop and exploit.

"Not only does the Sustainable Construction iNet offer specialist advice and information, we can also provide funding programmes to support innovation in the construction sector to increase productivity, long term sustainability and business growth."

The iNet offers financial support through two schemes; the Innovation Support Grants offering up to £10,000 and the Higher Education Collaboration Grant, offering up to £50,000.

To qualify for an Innovation Support Grant (ISG) the application must be operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water. They must also require technical or consultancy assistance for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs in the East Midlands as a result.

The Higher Education Collaboration Fund (HECF) provides grants for companies to access the support and expertise of the region's universities. The fund requires two or more East Midlands higher education institutions and one or more construction companies, employing fewer than 250 people, to work together towards a commercial goal that will ultimately deliver competitive advantage.

The partnership created as a result of the HECF may also enable the applicant to bid for even larger sums from the European Union and other sources.

Businesses wanting to find out more about the Sustainable Construction iNet and the grants available should visit them at the Renewable Technology breakfast briefing or telephone 01604 892020 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk.