Connected Innovation

Connected Innovation is one of the largest regional innovation networks in the UK, joining together 27 of Norfolk and Suffolk's innovation hubs, business incubators, research institutes and the Freeport innovation cluster. Our prospectus can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eKZDPwGQ Connected Innovation joins the dots on Norfolk & Suffolk's innovation ecosystem in a predominantly rural and coastal region with globally significant research and technology development across multiple sectors. In addition to the 800+ innovative companies across this network, Connected Innovation links together with key cluster partners across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider East of England, which can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e6muAkPC Connected Innovation's key priorities are to: ▶ Showcase local, regional and national innovation funding and support opportunities for companies and map out where there are gaps in provision. ▶ Promote capabilities across technologies and clusters within the region, supporting cluster development, cross-sector collaboration and inward investment opportunities. ▶ Engage with UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK and the Catapult Network to deliver the Local Action Plan agreed with the Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Board: https://lnkd.in/eZ2_NNWq ▶ Deliver and support a wide range of events showcasing funding & investment opportunities, technology capabilities and research expertise to support innovative businesses. The Connected Innovation team have been behind the successful bids for key programmes such as: ▶ £7.5m Innovate UK Agri-Tech and Food Tech launchpad. ▶ £1.275m DCMS Create Growth Programme supporting creative industries businesses with Innovate UK grants and four cohorts delivered by Creative East across Norfolk, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire (the budget has announced an extension for FY25/26, so we will share details on this soon). ▶Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme supporting early-stage tech founders through Innovation Labs Group and Akcela Ventures. James Allen I Scott Cogman I Katie Snell I Laura Hill I Roberta Willner I Julian Munson I Jai Raithatha I Innovate UK East I Johnathan Reynolds I Adastral Park I Freeport East I Innovation Martlesham I Akcela Ventures I Broadland Food Innovation Centre I Food Enterprise Park I Cefas I Earlham Institute I John Innes Centre I Quadram Institute I The Sainsbury Laboratory I Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research I University of East Anglia I Norwich Research Park I MENTA Business Support for Norfolk & Suffolk I Framlingham Technology Centre Ltd I Hethel Innovation I Innovation Labs Group I The EpiCentre I Oxford Innovation I Norwich University of the Arts I University of Suffolk I Freeport East I OrbisEnergy I Department for Science, Innovation and Technology I Anglia Capital Group

🚀 Be part of Ipswich Thrive: Business Week! Calling all local businesses in Ipswich! This is your chance to shine at Ipswich Thrive: Business Week – a celebration of the incredible achievements and dynamic spirit of our business community. 🌟 Got a creative idea for an event, workshop, training session, or site visit? Let’s make it happen! Whether you're showcasing innovation or sharing your expertise, we’d love to highlight your unique contributions to Ipswich’s thriving economy. 💡 Funding may be available to support your involvement – so don’t hold back! 📋 How to get involved: * Share your idea by completing our quick 5-minute Expression of Interest form (https://lnkd.in/eh6jQVkr). * Need to discuss first? Email us at opportunities@ipswich.gov.uk. ⏳ Don’t wait – submissions close on 11th December 2024. Let’s celebrate, collaborate, and thrive together! 🙌 #IpswichThrive #BusinessWeek #IpswichBusiness #Innovation #Collaboration Ipswich Borough Council | Julian Munson | Jai Raithatha | Katie Snell | Alice Tomkins | James Allen | Scott Cogman | Stuart Catchpole

We can’t wait for this important event focused on unlocking Norfolk & Suffolk’s tech potential at Norwich University of the Arts next Wednesday! It builds on the UKTN report that Connected Innovation sponsored together with KPMG UK and Tech East. Looking forward to hearing from our fabulous line up of speakers!! Oscar Hornstein Gurkanwal Kaur Dhillon James Allen Scott Cogman Katie Snell Julian Munson Tim Robinson Joe Faulkner Tom Wood Sarah Mintey MBE Sync the City Akcela Ventures Innovation Labs Group Barclays Eagle Labs Amanda Allan Anthony Pryke CeMAP Benjamin Storey Anglia Capital Group Creative East Hethel Innovation The EpiCentre Framlingham Technology Centre Ltd Adastral Park Innovation Martlesham Cefas OrbisEnergy Food Enterprise Park Broadland Food Innovation Centre Norwich Research Park Game Anglia University of East Anglia University of Suffolk MENTA Business Support for Norfolk & Suffolk New Anglia Growth Hub Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

Final #RaiseTheGame - Powered by Ukie event for 2024 😎 FEMPOWERMENT: East Anglia Games Industry Networking Mixer is about how women are becoming more empowered in the games industry, and how we can amplify those efforts further to make the video game industry stronger, accessible and more inclusive for everyone. There will be a panel discussion made up of game industry professionals and academics from across the ecosystem such as Stephanie Darrah, Robin Milton, Errol S., Lucy Kyriakidou and Jake Montanarini. We will also have local developers exhibiting their work like Glowfrog Games, Moss Monkey Games, Hunter's Moon Games, TheVampiresManor (TVM), Rubber Ducky Snacks and Alyx L. And of course there be networking, food and drink to top the evening off 😁 A great collaboration between #RaiseTheGame, Norwich University of the Arts & Fairer Games with hints of support from the likes of Game Anglia and Jagex to define it as an regional experience 🙂 Come along and register for a ticket here 👉 https://lu.ma/n1kld42e

✨ MEET THE MENTORS: FEMALE FOUNDERS ✨ Are you a female entrepreneur in the screen industries looking to scale your business and gain valuable insights from industry experts? Join us on Monday 16 December at 2pm for an exclusive online session introducing the incredible mentors of the Female Founders Programme. This online session is your chance to meet the experts, hear about their experiences, and gain insights into how they’ll support you throughout the programme. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions about the programme and application process. We’re delighted to have Catherine Ellington, Erica Wolfe-Murray and Vanessa J Chapman join us as mentors for this year's Female Founders programme. Don’t miss out on connecting with these industry leaders and discovering how the programme can support you on your journey. Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/egeVRyrM #FemaleFounders #Mentorship #CreativeEnterprise #ScreenIndustries #WomenInBusiness

Are you planning your equity funding raise for 2025? #StartUps based in #EastAnglia mark your diaries with the below dates of our application deadlines for 2025. Take a look at our website via the link in comments to see our criteria and apply to pitch to the ACG network of investors. #AngelInvestors #EarlyStage #Finance

Another informative and inspiring afternoon at Norwich Research Parks #EnterpriseTuesday. It was great to see the pitches in the Innovation Hothouse Competition. Well done to Bioscopic, Birthview, PfBIO, Knee3D, Healthium, PathoProst, Vida Vodka and congratulations to the winners iBoxit. It was interesting to hear about the future of Norwich Research Park and insights from Jason Mellad Start Codon, Divya Seshamani Greensphere Capital LLP and Ben Goldsborough MP too. Looking forward to the next #EnterpriseTuesday in February! Mills & Reeve Cambridge Wireless Ltd cofinitive Innovate UK University of East Anglia James Allen Katie Snell Scott Cogman

🎉 We're excited to announce the return of two business support programmes to empower female-led and early-stage screen businesses 🎉 🎯 Female Founders This transformative initiative is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs leading screen-based businesses. Through expert-led workshops, personalized mentoring, and a strong peer network, the programme equips participants with the confidence, skills, and tools needed to scale their businesses and achieve their ambitions. Find out more --> https://lnkd.in/eh-3VjzU 🎯 Foundations Programme Tailored for very early-stage screen businesses, this intensive programme provides a mix of hands-on workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and actionable insights to help emerging entrepreneurs build a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Find Out More --> https://lnkd.in/e9rEqMjc Both programmes are designed to inspire, connect, and empower creative leaders, helping them unlock new opportunities and thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Applications are now OPEN for businesses based in England. Don’t miss this chance to gain the skills, knowledge, and network to take your creative business to the next level. Deadline for Applications is Friday 13 January 2025 at 5pm.  Creative Enterprise is supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) with funding from The National Lottery (National Lottery Promotions Unit) #CreativeEnterprise #FemaleFounders #ScreenIndustries #CreativeTech #BusinessSupport #Empowerment

Got plans for December 3rd? 🌱 Why not join us at the EcoBite Summit! This FREE event will be packed with nutritious insights for the food & drink, packaging, machinery, and tech industries. We’re talking sustainability, packaging innovations, energy-saving hacks, and food safety — plus expert tips you can easily action in your business. We've got a great lineup of speakers from Muntons Plc, The Food Safety Research Network, Quadram Institute, CAMVAC INTERNATIONAL and Mechapres. Brilliant people, big ideas, and it won’t cost you a penny. 📅 Date: December 3rd  📍Location: The Mix, Stowmarket 🎟️ Grab your free ticket here: https://lnkd.in/eYRhQajU Organised by NAAME, Tastebuds Collective and Connected Innovation #Sustainability #NetZero #Innovation #Manufacturing #Technology

We’re back and recovering (just about) from Slush 🇫🇮 last week! We supported 6 companies from our region join the wider London Games Festival 🕹️delegation, meet with investors and the wider gaming community - https://lnkd.in/e9qi3RCs It was great to meet with likeminded innovation ecosystems and communities, amazing innovative founders and join a whole host of side events across Helsinki too. Lots to take forward and ideas to implement! Scott Cogman Michael Cousens Lauren M. 🎮 Mark Backler James Allen Katie Snell Babita Devi Asa B. Katie Barrie Sarah Mintey MBE Liam Gilbey ✏️ Alfie Wright Barn Cleave Mark Thomas Game Anglia Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited Brian Sharkey Becca Harvey Viola Jardon Neal Greenspan Rémy Rouillard, PhD Graham Christie Diane Gilbert Daniel Sawko Jonny Clark Adrian Walewski Kim Wedral Cathy Bradin Georgina Hamilton Jo L. Holly Hudson Grace Lind Developing Experts SKC Games Studio Cut the Mustard Animation Moss Monkey Games TILKI Appnalysis