The Launchpad competitions are open to SMEs that:
- are in one of the clusters.
- plan to start up in one of the clusters.
- move into one of the clusters.
- collaborate with a company already in one of the clusters.
STFC will deliver business support services to those applying for the competitions. As part of its support to these businesses
STFC will:
- Deliver an investment readiness programme to ensure projects are ready to attract funding,
culminating in a pitching event to investors.
- Work with applicants to look at what technology gaps they have and identify whether these can
be filled via STFC or other research institutions.
- Identify what facilities they will need to access to take forward their concept to
market.
- Provide training and mentoring on key business issues.
- Provide access to a comprehensive network of campus and innovation partners.
To ensure maximum impact from STFC’s capabilities and expertise, STFC will also identify how it may be able to provide
additional business support and advice to unsuccessful Launchpad applicants to enable them to take forward their business
ideas.
STFC has experience of supporting early stage businesses through its Innovations Technology Access Centre, as well as its
management of the European Space Agency and CERN business incubation centres in the UK and its own innovation vouchers and
funding schemes.
The materials and manufacturing and space Launchpads build on the success of TSB’s
£1.25 million investment in London’s tech and digital hub Tech City in 2011, and plans for a series of digital and creative
clusters across different parts of the UK, including Glasgow.
For stage one of the process interested applicants need to complete a short form and submit a two-minute video describing their
project idea. As part of the scheme successful applicants will be required to secure match funding within a 12 month period to
receive their grant from TSB, and they will be supported throughout this process by STFC.