PQ0508 - Access to Innovation Ecosystem Support Offer (funded by Innovate UK via DIATOMIC project)

PQ0508 - Access to Innovation Ecosystem Support Offer (funded by Innovate UK via DIATOMIC project)

Birmingham City Council's (the Council) Growth Hub will begin to deliver an intensive package of business support, aimed at supporting 10 Women-led and/or Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-led businesses. This package of support will cover in-depth diagnosis of business plans, potential for new products/services and assessment of their legal constitution, maturity, resilience, including how predisposed businesses are for high-growth. Birmingham City Council (the Council) is seeking a supplier to provide an Access to Innovation Ecosystem Support Offer to supplement this package of Business Support. The Supplier will deliver specialist, tailored support which provides proven pathways to accessing the Innovation Ecosystem for these 10 businesses. The supplier must work in collaboration with The Council's Growth Hub and be open to collaborating within the emerging West Midlands Inclusive Innovation Network. This offer may include access to innovative digital facilities, membership to peer networks, access to 3D printing and Virtual Reality/Augmented Realty technologies, group mentoring, co-working facilities, support around production innovation and prototyping. Specific business mentoring may include support around, marketing, pitching, liaison with investors, and innovative business planning. The offer should support businesses on their route to net zero transition, help them define environmental or social impact and ensure long-term viability and responsiveness to the needs of future markets. This program will be tailored to help businesses transform their operations, foster sustainability, and thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape. Businesses will be referred into this offer directly from the Growth Hub Business Support Package and may include businesses who have also benefitted from support delivered through the Fast Followers programme.

The contract will be for the period commencing April 2024 and concluding on 31 March 2025.

The contract will be awarded to one supplier.

This is being funded by the Innovate UK DIATOMIC Project and all publicity materials and reporting will be required to reference the funder and use the appropriate WMCA, UKRI and Innovate UK's logos.

The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register. You will then be sent details on how to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation. If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either ...