Pictured: The iNet team at their new headquarters, the iCon Buidling: (L-R) Charles Meynell, Jennifer Higgs, Andrea Wingrove, John Liddle, Rebecca Spence, Richard Adlington and Barrie Billinghay

Since April 2011, the Sustainable Construction iNet (iNet) has helped approximately 20 businesses across the East Midlands with business advice and funding worth over £120,000. Innovative companies have secured funding for prototypes, research and testing and have utilised the iNet's extensive network of contacts to establish their products in the sustainable marketplace.

Companies from across the East Midlands received varying denominations of funding to help develop a wide range of sustainable products including ultra-thin (less than 1mm thick) sustainable heaters, EU certification for five filter intelligent septic tanks, a low-carbon, flexible walling system and research into using waste clay roof tiles as a substrate for its green roof installations, amongst others.

Charles Meynell, senior business advisor with the iNet, said: "The iNet team has been working hard over the past six months to help innovative businesses across the East Midlands develop their products and we are extremely pleased with the work that has been achieved within the region. With tight deadlines and strict guidelines to secure the funding, it has certainly been a busy period for innovators. The iNet's support is not just limited to funding, however, and we are regularly contacted by companies with all sorts of product ideas, at different stages of development, for business advice or just an honest opinion on how a product will fare in the marketplace. 

"The iNet has recently secured funding from a number of sources to continue its work up until 2013 and we are looking for more businesses with a sustainable innovation concept to contact us for assistance."

The iNet is primarily funded by the University of Northampton, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is based at its new headquarters, the iCon building in Daventry, a purpose-built incubation hub providing office space for start-up companies working in the sustainable construction sector. Interested parties should contact the iNet on info@construction-inet.org.uk or telephone 01327 304800.