Our programmes

Shropshire Manufacturing Growth Programme
UK Shared Prosperity Fund

2023 – Present

Programme overview:

Shropshire Manufacturing Growth Programme supports SME manufacturing businesses to identify their barriers to growth, implement improvement plans, techniques and practices to better understand their competitive position. The programme provides clear and actionable insights that can be used to advance sustainability, productivity, growth and efficiencies by means of business advice and coaching.

Programme focus:

Made Smarter enables eligible manufacturing SMEs to understand their Industrial Digital Technology (IDT) capabilities and potential through the application of digital business diagnostics, training and grant funding where applicable. SME manufacturers will be supported to identify their Digital Readiness Level and develop a bespoke Digital Roadmap to help propel the business forward with its digital adoption, with implementation until 31st March 2025.

Programme objectives and scope:

To improve Leadership and Management skills through an advanced training course tailored specifically for manufacturing SME business leaders
To identify their Digital Readiness Level and develop a bespoke Digital Roadmap to help propel the business forward with its digital adoption
To access grant funding towards the cost of digital projects

Huntingdonshire Digital Manufacturing Growth Programme

(Budget UK Shared Prosperity Fund)

2023 – Present

Programme overview:

Huntingdonshire Digital Manufacturing Growth Programme (HDMGP) supports SME manufacturing businesses to implement tools, techniques and practices to better understand their competitive position. The programme provides clear and actionable insights that can be used to advance sustainability, productivity, growth and efficiencies by means of digital technologies.

Programme focus:

Support is tailored to each manufacturing business utilising a digital diagnostic tool, GROWTHmapper and guided by a Digital Manufacturing Advisor who will provide a unique diagnostic and action plan for short, medium and long term improvement goals.

Action plans will provide SME manufacturers clear objectives that will in turn result in obtainable outcomes such as improved productivity, competitiveness, sustainability or adopt new products or services through the use of digital adoption.

Programme objectives and scope:

To identify SME development areas using UK-leading business diagnostics – GROWTHmapper
To develop bespoke SME action plans for growth
To work with SMEs to implement digital technologies that support their growth
To provide capital funding towards the cost of improvement projects
To deliver a programme of interactive, manufacturing-themed workshops
To enhance SME productivity
To encourage networking and collaboration through peer-peer learning opportunitie

Made Smarter
Digital Adoption Programme. Yorkshire & Humber

(Budget £4.9 million)

2023 – Present

Programme overview:

Made Smarter has launched a £4.9 million digital adoption push to drive growth in Yorkshire & Humber manufacturing SMEs and help them boost productivity. Oxford Innovation Advice is proud to be leading on the overall Governance, Programme Management, and Contract Management with support from Brook Consulting, Edge Digital, the Institute of Manufacturing and the in-house team at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

To improve Leadership and Management skills through an advanced training course tailored specifically for manufacturing SME business leaders
To identify their Digital Readiness Level and develop a bespoke Digital Roadmap to help propel the business forward with its digital adoption
To access grant funding towards the cost of digital projects

Access to Finance

(Budget £6.6 million ERDF)

2016 – Present

Programme overview:

Access to Finance is cited as one of the main barriers to growth. A2F addresses this need by supporting businesses to create better quality applications for funding from a wide range of sources. In addition, businesses are introduced to the core principles of sound financial forecasting and financial management.

Programme focus:

The central focus of the A2F programme is to improve capability of businesses to access the right funding for their commercial needs. From start-ups to mature businesses across all sectors, the specialists within the A2F team work with management teams to identify the amount of funding required, the best source(s) of funding and to build compelling applications.

Programme objectives and scope:

To advise and support SMEs to create their own financial forecasts
To evaluate the immediate and future funding needs of the business
To advise and support SMEs on preparing a funding application
To ensure SMEs have access to sufficient levels of finance to implement growth plans
To provide grants for specialist work related to funding raises and the appointment of senior financial management personnel

Innovate UK Business Growth

(Budget £10.4 million)

2016 – Present

Programme overview:

Innovate UK Business Growth (previously Innovate UK EDGE) service drives economic growth by providing ambitious, innovative businesses with specialist-led support. Dedicated Innovation and Growth Specialists work 1:1 with high-potential businesses to realise their growth ambitions, drawing on a wide range of resources, international networks and sector expertise.

Programme focus:

The Innovate UK Business Growth service focusses on supporting ambitious, high-potential start-ups and SMEs to exploit innovation, enter new markets and source funding. Delivered by a team of Innovation and Growth Specialists, the service helps businesses to innovate and internationalise by connecting innovators with overseas partners. It also supports the commercialisation of new products and concepts, helping businesses to scale up through improving innovation and financial management.

Programme objectives and scope:

To identify SME strengths and areas for development through use of UK-leading business diagnostics (GROWTHmapper)
To connect SMEs with potential partners in the UK and overseas, promoting collaboration
To support SMEs to source and secure funding for growth
To help SMEs identify and enter new markets
To empower SMEs to innovate, commercialise and launch new ideas, bringing exciting new products and services to market
To educate SMEs to manage innovation effectively
To deliver internationalisation support through Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme
To prepare SMEs to successfully pitch for investment through ‘Pitch Fest’ events

Tap into our insights

Oxford Innovation Advice offers Insights into SME needs and policy effectiveness for policy makers, funders and business support commissioners. It draws on our 30 years’ experience of delivering positive economic growth by enabling scale-ups to achieve their full potential. Each edition concludes with an ‘Implications for funders and Policy makers’ section.

Our programmes

Shropshire Manufacturing Growth Programme UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Programme overview:

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

Huntingdonshire Digital Manufacturing Growth Programme

(Budget UK Shared Prosperity Fund)

Programme overview:

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

Made Smarter Digital Adoption Programme. Yorkshire & Humber

(Budget £4.9 million)

Programme overview:

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

Access to Finance

(Budget £6.6 million ERDF)

Programme overview:

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

Innovate UK Business Growth

(Budget £10.4 million)

Programme overview:

Programme focus:

Programme objectives and scope:

Tap into our insights

Covid-19 Statement

Shropshire Manufacturing Growth Programme
UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Made Smarter
Digital Adoption Programme. Yorkshire & Humber