The Food and Drink iNet has just launched a new phase of support
to help ensure the East Midlands food and drink sector is at the
forefront of innovation and increasing profitability.
The Food and Drink iNet provides advice, guidance and financial
support for innovation projects to eligible small and medium-sized
food and drink businesses through its advisors across Derbyshire,
Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and
Rutland.
The organisation also helps to fund key university research
projects for the sector, with the aim of making sure that the food
and drink industry in the region benefits from those research
projects. Under its ChIEFs project, it brings the food and drink
and engineering sectors together to deliver innovation
solutions.
Now the Food and Drink iNet, which is based at Southglade Food
Park, Nottingham, is moving forward with new activity in 2011. Food
and drink companies in the region that are looking for support with
an innovative idea or new product development should get in
contact with the iNet via the website or email the iNet at
info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk.
The iNet is also looking for funding partners for projects from
October as a result of the East Midlands Development Agency's
(emda's) funding ceasing due to its closure next year. The iNet is
appealing for universities, private companies and other
organisations to come forward with ideas for match-funded projects
which could unlock £1 million worth of European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) support available until March 2013.
"The Food and Drink iNet has already helped a large number of
companies and we want to hear from both companies in the food and
drink sector who need support, but also organisations who want to
work together to bring in funding to stimulate Innovation," said
Food and Drink iNet Director Richard Worrall.
"The emphasis will continue to be on supporting innovation
projects that help to increase productivity, achieve growth, and
improve competitiveness and sustainability. However, we are also
looking for funding partners to help unlock significant ERDF funds
that could be available going forward."
The Food and Drink iNet is currently funded by East Midlands
Development Agency (emda) until Autumn 2011 and the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is one of four regional iNets
developed to link academic and private sector expertise and
knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The Food and Drink iNet aims to build on the tradition of
innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping
to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to
help research, develop and implement new products, markets,
services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the
Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday,
Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the
University of Nottingham.