Supercharge your innovation journey wth Innovation Labs. Designed to help SMEs in Greater Manchester explore their innovation idea from a business perspective, this fully funded, 3-day workshop gives you the tools to advance your project to the next stage.
What is it?
Innovation Labs is a fully funded business support programme delivered by the Centre for Sustainable
Innovation (CSI). The 3-day innovation programme is aimed at providing businesses with a safe environment to explore ideas, gain access to experts, and start building a go-to-market strategy.
This collaboration with the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub is supported by experts
from North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC).
Who is it for?
Innovation Labs is built to support SMEs, entrepreneurs, startups and businesses based in the Greater Manchester area who are looking to develop an innovation project across an established idea, product, process or service.
How can Innovation Labs help you?
Get access to innovation experts who can give you practical, tailored advise on your innovation project
This programme supports SMEs as they explore possible business models for their innovation and start thinking about a go-to-market strategy.
Diversify your knowledge and expand your network by working with peers from other industries and sectors.
Aims of the workshops:
- By leveraging the design sprint philosophy, we will help you find a breakthrough in your innovation project.
- We will support you and help you apply new tools, insights and strategies to generate innovation ideas or build a viable business around your project.
- You will be able to get feedback and advice on your innovation project from peers, and experts.
- You will explore opportunities in the wider market and the funding landscape for innovation​.
- You will be able to access expert advise and learn new strategies for activation, delivery or commercialisation.
Programme agenda: Know, Try, Apply
Hosted at NERIC within the University of Salford, Innovation Labs follows our Know, Try, Apply methodology over three days.
- Day 1 gives you the tools and skills to understand the innovation process, providing tools to help you analyse your market, research the latest thinking and identify opportunities. Day 1 will also explore how to take these opportunities and validate their commercial value and efficiency.
- Day 2 allows you to build and try out your new found skills in taking an idea forward. Working with others: you will see the benefit of working with peers, experts and key stakeholders to firm up your innovation idea.
- Day 3 our team of experts will help you apply your knowledge directly to exploit your innovation, providing potential routes to access additional funding.
On all 3 days the programme will be supported by innovation and growth experts, technical experts, consultants and commercialisation specialists who will provide a wide range of skills and support.
How to apply?
At the moment we do not have a confirmed date for the next cohort of Innovation Labs. Register your interest by clicking the link below and we will contact you when the next dates become available.