Background

Ewa Bloch, UK National Contact Point for EU Horizon 2020 (climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials) at the Technology Strategy Board will present new and emerging funding opportunities for eco-innovative SMEs. As part of the Horizon 2020 programme, the European Commission is hand-picking potentially disruptive businesses to invest and support as part of the SME Instrument. Your business could receive up to €3 million in funding, and world-class business support and mentorship. The instrument will take place in three phases, with the aim of transforming disruptive ideas into concrete, innovative solutions with a European and global impact. In 2014 and 2015 the SME Instrument will sponsor SMEs operating within 13 themes, including:

James Edwards, Fund Manager of The FSE Group will then present details of the South East Sustainability Loan Fund. This Fund provides loan funding to companies for expansion purposes (on a matched basis) that are developing or selling a product or service that will reduce carbon emissions or that are delivering innovation in other business sectors that result in more resource efficient business practices. Loans from this Fund must be matched against a publicly funded debt fund and currently it can match against funds that can support businesses based in Berkshire, West Sussex, Lewes, Brighton & Hove and North Surrey. Coverage is due to be expanded imminently to encompass companies based in most of Hampshire and the remainder of Surrey. The Fund is suitable for high growth companies looking to borrow at least £50,000 (including the match.

The event will also provide an opportunity for FUSION registered businesses to meet and share insights into specific business challenges as part our FUSION member’s zone.

Agenda


1:30
Registration, Networking
2:00
FUSION programme update
Professor Martin Charter and Scott Keiller, Director & Project Manager - FUSION, The Centre for Sustainable Design ®, UK
2:10
Horizon 2020
Ewa Bloch, UK National Contact Point for EU Horizon 2020 - Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials, Technology Strategy Board
3:00
South East Sustainability Loan Fund
James Edwards, Fund Manager, The FSE Group
3:30
FUSION member’s zone
An opportunity for updating and problem solving with insights from other FUSION registered businesses
4:30
Networking
5:00
Close

Fees & Registration

There is no charge for this event. Please download the Registration Form

Map & Directions

Please refer to the map at ucreative.ac.uk/farnham/map

Social networking

Use the social networking share buttons at the top to tell your colleagues and networks about the opportunity. If you're tweeting you may want to copy in the following: @mcharter1 @CfSD_UCA

For any further UK enquiries please contact:

Ros Carruthers
The Centre for Sustainable Design ®
University for the Creative Arts,
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 892772
Email: rcarruthers.t1@ucreative.ac.uk