Launchpad: Net Zero, MFA, Tees Valley, Round 2

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is to invest up to £3 million in innovation projects. The funding will support projects across the Launchpad competitions that target the innovation clusters centred on the Liverpool City Region and the Tees Valley.

The aim of this competition is to support outstanding innovation projects led by businesses. Businesses must be active or growing their work activities in the net zero innovation cluster centred on Tees Valley.

This is “round 2” as a similar competition ran in 2022 – you do not have to have been involved in round 1 to apply. (Successful lead applicants in round 1 are not eligible for funding in this round.)

This competition supports the Government’s goals in the Levelling Up White Paper. The projects will also contribute to Tees Valley’s ambitions to become a net zero industrial cluster by 2040 and a global leader in clean energy.

More information on the innovation ambitions of Tees Valley Combined Authority and about the cluster is provided in Background and further information.

Your proposal must align to the scope criteria for this competition.

This competition is split into 2 strands:

• Launchpad: Net Zero, Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA), Tees Valley, Round 2 (this strand) – grants of £25k-£100k for SMEs working alone
• Launchpad: Net Zero, Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D), Tees Valley, Round 2 – grants of £150k-£1m for collaborative projects, must include an SME

It is your responsibility to ensure you submit your application to the correct strand for your project. You will not be able to transfer your application and it will not be sent for assessment if it is out of scope.

Eligibility

For the MFA strand, your project must:

• have a grant funding request between £25,000 and £100,000
• start by 01 September 2023
• end by 30 September 2024
• last between 6 and 12 months
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
• be active or growing your work activities in the net zero innovation cluster centred on Tees Valley

To lead a project in the MFA strand, your organisation must:

• be a UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
• be active or growing your work activities in the net zero innovation cluster centred on Tees Valley
• have demonstrable ambition for business growth

MFA projects are not collaborative. Subcontractors are allowed; their involvement must contribute to the growth of the cluster.

A business can lead on only one MFA application. If you apply to the CR&D strand of this competition, as well as this MFA strand, you must make sure each project is clearly distinctive and separate.

If you led a successful application to the Launchpad Tees Valley CR&D Round 1 competition, you will not be eligible to receive CR&D funding as a lead applicant in this round. This is likely to apply to MFA funding also: if you led a successful application in an earlier round, email support@iuk.ukri.org to check your eligibility.

Scope

The aim of this competition is to support outstanding innovation projects led by businesses. Businesses must be active, or growing their work activities, in the net zero innovation cluster centred on Tees Valley.

This geographical requirement is set because this competition aligns to the Government’s goals in the Levelling Up White Paper.

Your project must be innovating within the net zero theme for this competition.

Your project must commercialise knowledge through new innovation activities and lead to increased investment into research and innovation. It must contribute to growing business activities and generating economic impact in the net zero cluster centred on Tees Valley.

Your proposal must explain how your team and project will contribute to the equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) of the innovation cluster.

Specific themes

Your project can focus on one or more of the following core areas:

• materials for the future economy
• smart design
• resilient supply chains
• world class production
• longer in use and reuse

Projects can also consider the following enabling areas:

• digital technologies
• clean energy
• proactive regulations and policy
• future skills
• networked relations
• evolving value models

Briefing and support

An online briefing event will be held at 1pm on Wednesday 22nd February – click here to register to attend.

In considering the eligibility of your proposal you are encouraged to review

• Tees Valley Creating the First Net Zero Industrial Cluster
• Tees Valley Net Zero Brochure
• Tees Valley Strategic Economic Plan
• Tees Valley Local Industrial Strategy
• UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener

Further information about the net zero innovation cluster centred on Tees Valley will be provided in the online briefing event: this will also be recorded.

If you want help to find a project partner, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Net Zero team, or Tees Valley Business.