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Welcome to the December Edition of SPARK
As the nation is preparing to re-emerge from lockdown 2.0, uncertainty remains a dominant theme in the Coventry and Warwickshire business community.
The challenges that 2020 has brought are tough for even the most seasoned of business leaders and the most robust organisations.
What we have witnessed is innovation in product and service design, agility in business practice, and resilience from businesses as we emerge from the second lockdown, only this time with the added complication of the end of the Brexit transition period. There is still time to check your Brexit readiness, and make appropriate plans.
This edition of SPARK covers a breadth of regional business community updates, exciting news about University of Warwick's 5G campus developments in partnership with BT, an update on the R&D tax credit scheme as well as a round-up of business skills events from our Business Ready team and other relevant business events taking place in December in our region.
Coventry design and engineering consultancy expands with a key new hire
A growing design and engineering consultancy is expanding into new offices – and has just appointed a key new hire to extend the range of services the company offers.
Paramex, which was established 21 years ago, will not be moving far, however, as the firm is taking a larger office at its current HQ at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre in Binley, Coventry.
Midlands premier pitching competition still open for applications
Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up (previously known as Pitchfest WM) will be holding its inaugural Venturefest WM final online on 28th January 2021.
Coventry company set to start drone delivery tests in Warwickshire
A start-up Coventry business is set to begin trials in Warwickshire to test the capability of drones delivering urgent medical supplies after receiving support.
BEIS Peer Networking for SME Businesses
The Peer Networking initiative is 100% funded by BEIS and is open to eligible SME businesses delivered through a series of high impact group sessions.
New Innovate UK Grant Funding Competitions
Innovate UK have recently launched a number of new funding competitions to help tackle industry challenges ranging from transforming food production to...
Prepare now for changes to R&D tax relief in 2021
The Government is looking to introduce a new PAYE cap on qualifying expenditure from this date, which will attempt to prevent abuse of the R&D tax credit system.
Growing tech firm opens Midlands base in Coventry
A growing tech firm, which helps save businesses time and money when procuring goods, is opening an office in Coventry as part of its plans for expansion.
Tech firm looking forward to success after move to Warwick Innovation Centre
A technology marketing firm, which works with the biggest tech firms in the world, has expanded into offices in Warwick after a merger with a US company.
£130m UK Battery Innovation Centre soon to be Operational
The £130 million UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), a first of its kind battery production development facility in Coventry, will soon be operational.
BT and University of Warwick to accelerate 5G innovation for regional economic recovery
BT installs UK’s first dedicated public 5G network for University of Warwick, bringing new opportunities for University led research, and further enhancing students’ learning experience through its EE mobile network.
Ban on new petrol and diesel cars in UK from 2030: WMG expert comment
A Ten Point Plan for a “green industrial revolution”, including a ban on the sale of new cars that are wholly powered by diesel or petrol from 2030 has been announced. Top experts from WMG at the University of Warwick comment on this story.
Building Competitive Grant Applications: Innovate UK Webinar
📆 7th Dec: Learn how to make sense of Innovate UK’s national competitions and highlight key areas to pay attention to when pulling together your application.
Pitching for Finance Webinar – Part One
📆 11th Dec: By then end of this webinar you will be able to describe what Lenders and Investors want and consider how to present your case.
Top 5 Things to know for Early-Stage Founders & Directors Webinar
📆 14th Dec: Find out what the key differences between being a Shareholder and a Director and when a shareholders agreement may be required.
Pitching for Finance Webinar – Part Two
📆 16th Dec: By the end of this webinar you will be able to describe what Lenders and Investors want and write the first three minutes of your pitch.
Leveraging 5G Technologies to Improve Health and Wellbeing
📆 8th Dec: An event designed for people interested in being part of the change for health, wellbeing and technology organisations.
CW Champions - December Livestream
📆 9th Dec: Livestreaming from the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), featuring keynote speakers Linda Jackson and Jeff Pratt.
Leveraging 5G technologies to accelerate growth for Industry 4.0
📆 9th Dec: Discover how motivated firms, large and small, can accelerate growth through the Warwick Innovation District’s support ecosystem.
E-commerce & E-Marketplace Platforms - DIT
📆 10th Dec: This webinar is to help ensure your business is ready for the changes in logistics and customs requirements in 2021.
5G Technologies for Future Innovation
📆 10th Dec: An interactive online event designed for ambitious creative and digital businesses; discover how 5G can help you to accelerate business growth.
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