A three-year programme to encourage innovation within businesses throughout the Sheffield City Region (SCR) has now begun as part of a joint venture between Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.
The Sheffield Innovation Programme allows SMEs from across the region to access academic expertise, facilities and resources at both universities to stimulate innovation to deliver new products and services.
Businesses can access a range of bespoke consultancy services with academic experts as well as a number of events and workshops to help boost business growth.
Academic individuals involved in the project specialise in several areas including packaging design, advanced manufacturing, sports engineering, robotics and materials engineering.
With an aim to support more than 200 regional businesses, the programme is jointly funded by both universities, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
Professor Paul Harrison, Pro Vice-Chancellor for research and innovation at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “As one of the leading applied universities in the UK, Sheffield Hallam has a long tradition of working with local and regional businesses.
“This new programme combines our own investment with EU funds, and shows our commitment to support business and enterprise within the region.
“This project provides a channel for our academics and researchers to work in knowledge-exchange partnerships with industry, keeping our research relevant to the economy and also providing stimuli to our students through our taught programmes.”
Professor Mike Hounslow, Pro Vice-Chancellor for engineering at the University of Sheffield, added: “As engineers we’re passionate about applying our research and innovation to create real solutions and to address pressing challenges with industry. We’re particularly pleased to be doing so with local companies in partnership with Sheffield Hallam.
“The ERDF support for the Sheffield Innovation Programme allows us to support local SMEs with capabilities from across the breadth of our Engineering Faculty such as advanced manufacturing and materials, innovative designs through understanding structural dynamics, developments in infrastructure and robotics.”
