Uncategorised Archives - Page 8 of 8 - Sandwell Business Growth

Be the solution: join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Posted on 15 August 202322 August 2023 by Marie

Aston University and partners have pioneered an innovative technology that can convert organic materials into commercially valuable bioproducts. Will your Sandwell business join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator and benefit from helping them take it to market?

The breakthrough from Aston University and local industrial leaders uses an innovative pyrolysis technology. (Pyrolysis is the breaking down of organic materials by subjecting them to very high temperatures and without oxygen. It yields energy-rich liquids and gases, and a solid substance known as biochar.)

Their new process can convert organic materials such as sawdust, fallen trees, agricultural straw, and dried chicken litter into these commercially valuable bioproducts, including biochar, gases and liquids.

Low-carbon solutions offer growth opportunities

Now, the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute and the Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability at Aston University are looking for partners to commercialise biochar and related bioproducts. They’re inviting West Midlands companies to join a new business accelerator programme designed to develop new low-carbon products such as:

Low-carbon fuel for boilers and engines
Soil conditioners and products for improved plant, tree and animal health
Biochar for carbon capture and credits
Biochar for water treatment and odour control
Biochar for building and composite material
Bioliquids for low carbon weedkiller, fungicide and plant growth enhancer.

Join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Led by Aston University, the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is a business growth programme offering you a pathway to:

Technological advancements that set your business apart
Skill and knowledge enrichment to navigate the evolving landscape
Strategic networking and supply chain collaborations
Access to diverse funding sources for growth
Expanding into new market opportunities.

To find out more about this opportunity, visit Aston University’s Biochar CleanTech Accelerator page.

See also the Clean Futures Accelerator Programme. This and the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator are part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator – a £100m growth-focused partnership between our region and central government.

Green Advantage: join the skills bootcamp in business sustainability

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Green Advantage is a five-session course for managers who want to explore environmental challenges on their business.

Give yourself an informed approach to environmental issues and start your journey to sustainability. Through Green Advantage, you can have five interactive workshops, peer networking and one-to-one business coaching over twelve weeks. The course is designed to fit around full-time work.

The Department for Education via the West Midlands Combined Authority has funded Green Advantage, as part of the government’s Skills Bootcamps. Aston University is delivering it. The next cohort will start their sessions in September 2023.

Develop a road map to sustainability for your business

During the course, you will develop a bespoke sustainability roadmap for your enterprise. Maybe you will take practical actions to lower emissions and save energy. Or perhaps you will decide to overhaul your business model and values completely.

The cost of the Green Advantage course varies, according to your business size. SMEs must contribute £296.95 per learner, while for large businesses it’s £890 per learner. It is free for self-employed people. The next cohort starts in September 2023.

For more information visit the Aston University Centre for Growth page.

Drive the green transport revolution with Clean Futures Accelerator

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Sign up for the Clean Futures Accelerator and get up to £50k to help develop green transport ideas.

Clean Futures Accelerator is a six-month programme which will give twenty selected SMEs up to £50K each to trial their ideas for making transport more sustainable. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 September 2023.

Transport is responsible for 24 per cent of the UK’s emissions, and the sector represents a huge opportunity to decarbonise. As a region with a strong history in vehicle manufacturing, the West Midlands is well-placed to drive the green transport revolution.

The accelerator is part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator. It is based around five challenges in the rail and automotive manufacturing sectors and their related supply chains.

These are:

1. Greener electric vehicle components

2. Circular economy of transport

3. Road freight alternatives

4. Greener transport infrastructure

5. Future fuels.

Successful Clean Futures applicants will receive bespoke technical and commercial support, alongside networking and showcasing events. The programme offers access to a range of facilities and support, from the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, and the Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems at Coventry University.

Eligibility for Clean Futures Accelerator

The Clean Futures Accelerator is open to SMEs in existing supply chains, as well as those looking to move into new sectors. It also welcomes bids from consortiums of partners with one lead applicant. Ideally, applicants would have a base in the West Midlands. You must be willing to match fund your grant with in-kind support, such as labour or materials.

For more information, and to apply, visit the Clean Futures website.

Join the launch of Business Growth West Midlands

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena.

BGWM will provide comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

At the event, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address, showing his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees, encouraging active engagement with BGWM’s support services.

Why attend the launch?

Attendees at the event will be among the first to hear about the £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses.
You can find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region.
There will be opportunities to network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders,
You can access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area.
There is a free lunch for all attendees.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

When? Where? How do I register?

When? Tuesday 12 September, 9.30am – 4.30pm (come along for all or part of the day)
Where? Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Longford, Coventry CV6 6AQ
Register: Sign up here to attend.

Email businessgrowthevents@wmca.org.uk if you have questions. Or you can use the following links for more information about BGWM and the official launch event:

Learn more about Business Growth West Midlands.

Sandwell Business Growth is here: welcome to our new website

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

If you’re reading this, you’ve found Sandwell Business Growth – the new website from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team. Welcome!

It’s replacing www.thinksandwell.com – our faithful old website which, in internet years, was more than ready to hang up its work suits and get out its slippers.

We want our new website to feel accessible and welcoming to our huge Sandwell business community.

Our overriding goal is to help you grow. Because when Sandwell businesses thrive, they create jobs, raise aspirations, boost skills and generate wealth for our Black Country economy.

And we’re passionate about supporting your business to grow in a way that ensures people and communities benefit too.

Three things to do here today:

Check out the Open4Business funding portal, where you can search for government and council grants, loans, venture capital funds and tax credit programmes
Apply to have your own ‘Made in Sandwell’ feature. Tell the world what your business does and why Sandwell is the right place for you.
Browse our ‘Run your business’ section, which is full of day-to-day support plus inspiration to help your business give back to people, communities and the environment.

We’re still making changes to the website. So if you see any snags, we’d love you to tell us via our contact page.

Thank you to Tobi and team at West Bromwich-based Studio 14 for their help and expertise in building this website!

Beware of illicit tobacco sales: advice to Sandwell businesses

Posted on 26 July 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

You can be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. So we’ve got information to help your Sandwell business do the right thing.

Since 20 July 2023, local authorities have had greater authority to address the issue of illicit tobacco sales. You can now be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. This applies to individuals and businesses.

For our business community in Sandwell, it’s essential to be aware of the sanctions that now apply:

The penalties for individuals and businesses breaking UK Tobacco Track and Trace regulations can range from £2,500 to £10,000
Offenders may have their tobacco products seized
Businesses can have their economic operator ID withdrawn so they lose their ability to purchase tobacco for resale in the UK.

“The trade in illegal tobacco affects honest businesses”

Illicit tobacco sales have significant adverse effects on both the economy and public health. So combatting the illicit tobacco trade is of utmost importance for our community’s wellbeing.

Lord Michael Bichard is Chair of National Trading Standards. He said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

If your Sandwell business is involved with the supply of tobacco (manufacturing, selling, transporting or transloading), here is the government guidance you need.

At the gov.uk website, you can also read more about the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties.

Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team will enforce the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties to keep customers safe and protect the reputations of Sandwell businesses that do the right thing.

Trading Standards Business News: BBQs and business scams

Posted on 21 July 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

The summer 2023 edition of Trading Standards Business News is available online.

Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) includes articles for rural enterprises, international traders and businesses working with food and outdoor events, as well as information on staff training and avoiding fraud.

The digital magazine is published by Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA). This is a collaboration between fourteen trading standards services within local authorities across the West Midlands – including Sandwell. Together they aim to maximise the impact that individual services have, supporting businesses in our region to trade legally and fairly while promoting economic growth.

CEnTA’s Trading Standards Business News is full of advice to help you and your business thrive while staying on the right side of the law. Each edition covers a wide range of business sectors and signposts you to further information.

What’s inside the summer 2023 edition of TSBN?

You can read the latest TSBN in a browser on your computer or download the TSBN app for Apple and Android devices. The digital magazine content is interactive – so clicking on the web links will take you to the relevant page or website.

Following Sprinkler Safety Week in May, the magazine includes information about sprinkler systems and how to help keep people and buildings safe from fire. It also offers tips on how to identify ever-evolving business scams and minimise potential losses.

Editor Frances Darling said: “I hope the advice provided in this issue helps ease the regulatory compliance challenges that businesses face on a regular basis. If there are regulatory issues affecting you directly that you would like us to cover, please get in touch and let us know.”

Read the summer 2023 edition of TSBN.

You can read past editions of TSBN here.