A new £3.2 million innovation project which is aiming to address business challenges in Birmingham has been given the green light.
The 'Innovation Engine' initiative aims to identify health, sustainability and transport challenges of larger organisations and build consortia among local SMEs and universities to develop and deliver solutions.
The three-year project is being led by Innovation Birmingham in partnership with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, Amey and West Midlands Combined Authority.
The Innovation Engine is designed to bring together a team who will uncover challenges in large public and private organisations and drive solutions from specialist local firms and universities.
It will also showcase new technology and present game-changing opportunities to innovative businesses and university departments.
Over a three-year period, the project is aiming to assist at least 250 SMEs located within the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area.
They will create new products and services and fulfil specific challenges larger public and private organisations wish to overcome.
David Hardman, chief executive of Innovation Birmingham, said: "With the wealth of skills and knowledge available, the Innovation Engine project will help innovative new businesses by enabling them to create lasting connections with notable business people and the local universities.
"This will support and enable entrepreneurs and start-ups to develop their ideas and will, ultimately, encourage local growth by strengthening partnerships and so reinforce the region’s reputation for excellence in business and innovation."
Businesses accepted onto the project will also gain access to the Innovation Birmingham Campus' 400-strong community of tech and digital entrepreneurs as well as to innovation-specific workshops, guides and facilitated introductions.
