In the North-West of England, 19 materials and manufacturing companies have been given the opportunity to expand their businesses with a new £1.6million investment programme.
The Materials and Manufacturing Launchpad is run by the Technology Strategy Board, in partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The winning companies demonstrated the most potential for innovation and growth within this sector. The investment will help them develop new products and stimulate the development of the UK industry.
The winning designs include an energy saving air sanitisation device that improves indoor air quality; a cell deconstruction agent that releases and protects DNA and RNA for a number of hours; and low cost radiation detectors capable of monitoring all forms of radioactivity.
Paul Vernon, Head of Campus Development at STFC, said that the funding is crucial to businesses of this size, but many companies need help attracting follow-up funding to move to the next level. The Launchpad programme will also provide help and advice on pitching to potential backers.
Winners now have six months to court other investors and gain matching funding to enable them to conduct R&D projects.
