Addressing the need for renewable energy
The climate crisis continues to be a matter of both national and international importance. In recognition of this importance, the Midlands Innovation partner universities made a bid to Innovate UK to invest in energy research in the Midlands.
Formed in 2016, Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) initially received £60 million before later receiving an additional £120 million from investors, with the funding strategically allocated amongst the partners. The impact of this funding is ongoing, boosting the reputation of energy innovation in the Midlands.
Fostering sustainable business practices
Midlands Green Innovation Network (MGIN) was set up in December 2022 by ERA, Midlands Engine and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Following recommendations from the ‘Review of Green Innovation in the Midlands Engine’, the network was established to address the gap in the market to connect businesses with green innovation. MGIN brings businesses together from across the region, creating opportunities to learn about sustainability whilst connecting with like-minded peers.
The Network has hosted events both online and in-person, with locations including Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Birmingham. Themes at these events have ranged from helping SMEs to become more sustainable, to finance, intellectual property, and how to decarbonise your business. Network members have also had the chance to shape the programme themselves, with training sessions based around assessing what skills members want to learn.
Impact of the network for its members
The events and webinars have been incredibly popular, with attendees including business owners and University members from the MI and ERA partnership.
There have been over 500 attendees, with this number set to rise as more events are planned for the upcoming academic year. Benefits of the network include:
- Knowledge sharing: MGIN events offer SMEs the chance to learn and develop their knowledge of sustainability, establishing best practice in relation to net zero.
- Green network: These events also offer the chance for SMEs to network with like-minded businesses, creating opportunities to collaborate and generate new ideas.
By providing like-minded SMEs throughout the region both with the knowledge to become more sustainable and the chance to collaborate, MGIN has helped to build a network of green, sustainable SMEs throughout the region.
