SMART Cheshire - Innovation Programme​

SMART Cheshire provides innovation support for micro and small businesses across Cheshire and Warrington. This fully funded programme offers leaders of small firms seeking to innovate a combination of expert workshops and individual coaching, whilst promoting peer-to-peer support through Innovation Growth Groups and individual coaching sessions.

Companies engaging with the programme will benefit from advice from renowned experts, experienced coaches and, crucially, other businesses wishing to embed innovation into their firms.

The programme will be delivered at sites throughout Cheshire and Warrington.

 

Eligibility

The programme benefits from full funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and project partners, therefore comes at no cost to companies that,

• Are committed to embedding Innovation
• Are Micro or Small (preferably more than 4 employees)
• Have been trading for more than 12 months
• Are based in Cheshire / Warrington

 

Programme Launch Event

Join us for an opportunity to learn more about this exciting, fully-funded programme for leaders of small businesses seeking to innovate. The session will outline the structure and content of the SMART programme, followed by details of the aims of the programme and the process for securing a place. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a short innovation session which will provide a taster of the programme, and show you innovation comes in many forms. 

Agenda - (10.00 - 14:00)

• Introduction to the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University
• Introduction to the Smart Cheshire Innovation Programme - aims and objectives
• Eligibility and expectations
• Next steps, gaining your place on the course
• Innovation Workshop

To book your ticket for the event, please click here:  https://smartcheshirelaunch.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Schedule

The programme consists of four expert-led innovation workshops, supported by innovation groups to help you translate knowledge and experiences into practical business actions. Additionally, each company will benefit from 1-2-1 coaching during the programme. The schedule is outlined below:

 

Programme Dates

The programme lasts for four months in total, and will run in groups of approximately 25 companies from September 2016 to June 2018.

Cohort 1 Dates - Download a PDF of the course dates.

Cohort 2 Dates - Download a PDF of the course dates.

 

Register your interest below:

Please note: If you are experiencing any trouble accessing the form below, please contact the Programme Administrator, Ian Gibbs on or call .