Funding your business
There are many sources of funding available to businesses to work with universities. Here are some ways that we can help you access funding schemes.
QuIDs - Quick Innovation Developers
If you've got an idea for your business and want to test it, QuIDs could be for you. Quick Innovation Developers (or QUiDs for short) is a way for companies to collaborate with DMU on a short-term project, which is seed-funded by the university’s enterprise team. The focus is on helping local SMEs and organisations in the city, county and region.
We'll match your company with a DMU subject matter expert who can help you take your idea forward whether it's for a new product, service or plans to improve your business.
They are based on the model of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which team up a business, an academic and a researcher – normally a postgraduate student – to work on a business-led innovative project, funded by Innovate UK.
We are looking for applications now or expressions of interest from SMEs in Leicetershire who want to get in touch and find out more. Seed funding is available towards the cost of the project.
We've already helped companies who want to understand how sustainable their supply chain is, test new equipment to see its potential for the market and how they can use AI to improve efficiency.
The panel dates are:
- November 30 (applications received by 23rd Nov; Project start ~9th Jan)
- January 18 (applications received by 11th Jan; Project start ~20th Feb)
Want to find out more? Email knowledgeexchange@dmu.ac.uk
Knowledge exchange
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are government funded programmes designed to help businesses improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive funding to cover up to 67% of the project costs, and larger partners can receive up to 50% of costs to work on a project with academic expertise from DMU.
A business partner for a KTP must:
- Be a UK registered business, of any size, or a not-for-profit organisation
- Have more than two employees
- Demonstrate its ability to financially support its contribution to the project – most commonly through providing the last three years’ financial accounts
- Provide supervisory support for and host the associate
For further information contact: KnowledgeExchange@dmu.ac.uk
Collaborative research opportunities
Government grants for research and development are for individuals and SMEs to develop new products and processes. There are several grants on offer targeting different projects, with grants of up to £500,000 available.
We are a driver of economic growth and have strong collaborative links with industry partners, the public sector and other academic institutions.
We can support business funding activities in many ways -please call us to discuss your requirements.
Funding streams available include:
For further information on funding opportunities, please contact us:
T: +44 (0)116 207 8455
E: businessservices@dmu.ac.uk