Derbyshire property developers and construction companies looking to find out more about intelligent buildings and smart technologies are being told to act fast to secure places at the Construction & Property Forum - Intelligent Buildings event.

Hosted by the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet), the free breakfast briefing is being held at City & Guilds, Alfreton on Thursday 28 January. Registration begins at 8.15 am and the event will run from 8.30 am to 10.00 am.

Construction & Property Forum - Intelligent Buildings will focus on the commercial opportunities presented by smart home technology and its impact on communities. Technologies covered include; information and communication networks, energy management and monitoring, security systems, lighting and electrical equipment, heating ventilation and air conditioning, assistive technologies (ie telecare) and virtual presence interfaces.

Specialists and Innovation Advisers from the Sustainable Construction iNet and Building Research Establishment (BRE) will offer advice and details of grants available to help encourage start-ups and established small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Sustainable Construction iNet has a number of roles, particularly in helping SMEs innovate and generate profits and jobs. The iNet focuses on a number of key annual themes in delivering support to those businesses through in-depth, sector specific advice.

"Smart home technologies offer great potential for East Midlands construction companies," says Charles Meynell, Senior Innovation Adviser at the iNet. "It's important for businesses to get involved now, so they can benefit from the commercial and environmental opportunities these new technologies present.

"The East Midlands has traditionally had a very strong construction sector. However, in the midst of a very serious economic downturn, which is having a particularly savage effect on the industry, it is vitally important that everyone starts to seriously invest in research and development, however difficult that might seem. We are breaking into a whole new world in construction where the old ways and means are no longer sufficient to ensure our planet's future and the recession is providing the added impulse to ensure that necessity really is the mother of invention."

As well as offering specialist advice and organising and hosting industry-leading events, the iNet also provides 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 Grant (ISG) offering up to £10,000 matched funding and the Higher Education Collaboration Fund (HECF), in collaboration with higher education institutions, which can offer larger grants for projects.

To qualify for an ISG the applicant must be operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water, or in professional services such as architecture or surveying. 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 SME 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 must 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 Construction & Property Forum - Intelligent Buildings event or telephone 01604 892836 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk.