Entrepreneurs, inventors and SMEs in the West Midlands have been urged to take advantage of free consultancy advice to transform their ideas into reality.
The Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI) at Coventry University has secured £341,500 of second phase funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to continue its support across the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
The additional funding has been awarded for a further 18 months for innovative ideas connected with the assisted living and community healthcare market.
Highly skilled staff at HDTI will provide up to five days’ worth of product development consultancy free of charge for product design and usability testing.
Guy Smallman, commercial development director at HDTI, said SMEs, entrepreneurs and inventors in the West Midlands shouldn’t be shy about coming forward with their original designs connected with the healthcare sector.
He said:
“We are here to offer five days’ worth of free advice and support to help turn their ideas into reality to help people with disabilities and long-term health conditions as well as their carers, relatives and healthcare professionals to transform their lives.
“The Assistive Technologies and Community Healthcare Development Project has helped develop products by providing initial designs, prototypes and usability support to minimise the risks involved with launching any new product and improving the chances of it being a commercial success.
“The Phase 2 funding applies to companies and individuals based across the region including the West Midlands and the ERDF project has already proved its success in having a positive impact in the healthcare industry.
“We want to build on the achievements of Phase 1 and we are keen to hear from West Midlands-based inventors and SMEs with entrepreneurial flair to develop healthcare products whatever stage their idea is currently at to benefit from this next stage of ERDF support.”
Norman Price, deputy chair of the West Midland ERDF Local Management Committee, said:
“Phase 1 of this project demonstrated the success that can be achieved when you support businesses that have new concepts and ideas with access to high quality research, development and expertise. There are also real benefits to the community and quality of life that can be drawn from this work.
“Allowing businesses to develop and test their ideas out before launching them on the market helps to reduce the risks and increases the chances of success.
“It’s important that we give local businesses every possible chance to grow and I’m delighted that we have been able to help continue the provision of this support.”