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Care And HealthTech bridge

Introducing Care & HealthTech Bridge, a groundbreaking 10-month programme that brings together leading corporations and promising startups in the UK to drive innovation and transformation in the care sector. With a focus on healthy aging, this initiative aims to disrupt existing social care models and enhance the overall healthcare landscape.

The Challenge: Transforming the Care Sector for an Aging Population

The UK is experiencing an aging population, with over 11 million individuals aged 65+ in England and Wales, as per the 2021 Census*. However, living longer does not necessarily equate to living well. We believe that existing social care models are ready for disruption to address the evolving needs of the aging population and transform the wider healthcare sector.

Why Join Care & HealthTech Bridge?

Technology plays a pivotal role in improving and enhancing the aging care space. We recognize the challenges faced by larger care providers and startups in collaborating effectively to tackle industry-specific issues. Care & HealthTech Bridge provides a platform to collectively address these challenges and devise innovative solutions.

How the Programme Works

Care & HealthTech Bridge is delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person sessions once a month over a ten-month period. Themed meetups bring together industry experts, business leaders, established care companies, and startups. These collaborative sessions foster knowledge sharing and the development of solutions that promote healthy aging.

Who Should Participate?

The programme is designed to unite leaders from established care and related companies with startups in the UK, creating a collaborative ecosystem focused on healthier aging. It offers startups in the HealthTech sector an opportunity to deepen their domain expertise, expand their networks, and potentially provide solutions or proofs-of-concept for larger businesses. Established businesses, on the other hand, gain exposure to new technologies, practices, skills, and cultural shifts that accelerate innovation within their organizations.

Unlocking the Potential of Collaboration

Care & HealthTech Bridge is not just an opportunity for collaboration; it is a catalyst for redefining the care sector’s approach to healthy aging. By leveraging technology, expertise, and collective intelligence, we aim to shape a future where aging individuals receive enhanced care, well-being, and support. Together, we can drive innovation, improve quality of life, and transform the care landscape to meet the needs of an ageing population.

To learn more about Care & HealthTech Bridge and join this transformative journey, visit our website or contact us directly. Let’s work together to create a healthier and more inclusive care sector for individuals as they age

AgriTech Bridge

In collaboration with CodeBase, we are proud to introduce AgriTech Bridge, an innovative programme that brings together leading corporations and promising startups in the UK. This groundbreaking initiative aims to digitize the food supply chain, enabling the industry to tackle challenges, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable solutions.

The Challenge: Understanding and Securing the Food Supply Chain

From farm gate solutions to waste management and sustainable packaging, data and digitization play a crucial role in comprehending and securing the complex food supply chain. In today’s fast-paced and volatile industry, disruptive innovation is essential to help the sector not only survive but thrive.

Why Join AgriTech Bridge?

Joining AgriTech Bridge offers a unique opportunity for larger food supply chain companies and startups to work together, address industry challenges, and redefine food production systems. Through this programme, we bridge the gap between established corporations and innovative startups, fostering collaboration and enabling the collective development of new solutions.

How the Programme Works

AgriTech Bridge is delivered virtually once a month over a 10-month period, through a series of themed meetups. These gatherings bring together industry experts, business leaders, and representatives from established food supply or agriculture companies, as well as startups. Together, we strive to create a sustainable and resilient food supply chain.

Who Should Participate?

The AgriTech Bridge programme is designed for corporates and startups involved at any stage of the food supply chain, from field to fork. Through monthly virtual meetings, participants have the opportunity to share ideas, combine expertise, and address specific shared challenges. The programme serves as a platform for startups to deepen their domain expertise and expand their networks by connecting with larger businesses in the industry. For established businesses, AgriTech Bridge introduces new technologies, practices, skills, and cultures, fostering innovation and transformation.

Unlocking the Potential of Collaboration

AgriTech Bridge is more than just a programme; it is a catalyst for change within the food supply chain industry. By leveraging technology, expertise, and collective intelligence, we aim to reshape and enhance the way we produce and distribute food. Together, we can build a sustainable future that addresses long-standing challenges and propels the industry forward.

To learn more about AgriTech Bridge and join this transformative journey, visit our website or contact us directly. Let’s work together to create a resilient, efficient, and sustainable food supply chain for generations to come.

Black founder accelerator

Black founder Accelerator

Barclays, in partnership with Foundervine, is proud to introduce the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator programme. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide comprehensive support and resources to Black business founders, empowering them to accelerate their ventures, access funding opportunities, and scale up their businesses.

Designed specifically for Black founder-led businesses, the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator programme offers a unique opportunity to transform the experiences of Black business founders. Through a 12-week immersive journey, participants gain access to a range of benefits and tailored support to accelerate their businesses.

The programme offers expert-led masterclasses covering a diverse range of topics crucial to entrepreneurial success. These masterclasses are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to overcome challenges and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Mentoring and coaching from world-class scaleup experts form a pivotal aspect of the programme. This one-on-one guidance ensures that participants receive personalized support, enabling them to make informed decisions, navigate obstacles, and unlock their full potential.

The Barclays Black Founder Accelerator programme fosters a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs through learning and networking events. These events provide a platform for participants to connect with industry peers, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. Leveraging the extensive networks of both Barclays and Foundervine, participants gain access to a wealth of opportunities and collaborations.

At the culmination of the programme, participants have the chance to showcase their businesses at a Demo Day. This highly anticipated event provides a platform to present their ventures to potential investors, partners, and industry stakeholders, opening doors to new growth and funding opportunities.

To be eligible for the programme, your business must be led by one or more Black founders, utilize digital technology in its operations or value proposition, and be at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage or beyond. Commitment to attending all masterclasses over the 12-week period is expected from successful applicants.

The next cohort of the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator programme is set to commence in July 2023, and applications are now open. This is a remarkable opportunity for Black business founders to access invaluable support, gain vital knowledge, and accelerate their entrepreneurial journeys.

Join the Skills Revolution

Join the skills revolution

The UK government has launched the Skills Revolution campaign to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access a wide range of training and employment schemes. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the government’s support programs that can help businesses upskill their workforce, fill skill shortages, and increase productivity. The Skills Revolution webpage provides details of various training programs available to employers, including Multiply, which offers numeracy courses for adults aged 19 and above without a Level 2 qualification in maths. Employers can encourage their staff to improve their numeracy skills to reduce mistakes and improve productivity. There is no cost to employers to participate in Multiply, making it an excellent opportunity for businesses to improve their workforce’s skill set.

Another program available through the Skills Revolution campaign is the Skills Bootcamp. These are free and flexible courses of up to 16 weeks designed to provide sector-specific skills based on local employer demand. Skills Bootcamps are primarily aimed at delivering flexible training at levels 3-5, which includes medium to higher level technical skills, and level 2 in some sectors. Employers can work with training providers to develop and deliver Skills Bootcamps to help fill skill shortage vacancies. Existing employees may need time to study and attend classes depending on their working hours and status and the flexibility of the course. Employers can contribute to the cost of training if they want to use Skills Bootcamps to train their existing employees.

Overall, the Skills Revolution campaign is an excellent initiative designed to help SMEs access the necessary training and support to improve their workforce’s skills and fill skill gaps. Businesses can benefit from free training, financial support, and career advice, and individuals can take advantage of the free courses to upskill themselves, progress into higher skilled roles, and gain knowledge, skills and behaviors that can help their company succeed. The government’s investment in training and upskilling is a positive step towards ensuring the UK’s workforce remains competitive and able to adapt to the changing needs of the economy.

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Growth Curve Programme Ending This Week!

Not long left to register for these initiatives as part of the SEMLEP Growth Curve programme!

The final deadlines to apply for a grant through Growth Curve and to join Growth Curve Peer Networks is this Friday, April 28!

Find out more about the grants of up to £10,000 here ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3L5eqeU

Find out more about Peer Networks, run in conjunction with New Level Results Limited, here ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3GlNndN

Growth Curve and its Growth Curve Peer Networks are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

SEMLEP: Grants of up to £10,000 available to businesses

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to growing businesses across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire for a limited time.

SEMLEP is providing the grants through its Growth Curve programme which offers a comprehensive suite of support to business leaders, including one-to-one meetings with business advisers, university masterclasses and peer networking opportunities.

With funding for the Growth Curve programme coming to an end soon, businesses which want to take advantage of its grants need to register for the scheme quickly and make their grant applications by April 28.

The maximum grant available to businesses is £10,000 and match-funding is required from the company.

The grants are for revenue projects and the funding needs to be spent by June 15.

To help businesses with their grant applications, SEMLEP is running a free online Revenue Grant Surgery from 10am to 12 midday on Friday, April 21.

Growth Curve is open to businesses which are experiencing or projecting high growth in the next two to three years, have a minimum of two employees and a current annual turnover of £100,000 with projected 20 per cent annual growth minimum.

Growth Curve and its Growth Curve Peer Networks are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Book a meeting with our advisor to find out more about this opportunity.

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