A national scheme announced by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board is inviting small qualifying companies to apply for the vouchers. The University of Leicester is a member of the International Space Innovation Centre, and is a qualifying provider under this scheme.
 
In addition, the University is offering an additional two days of free business assistance to qualifying small companies based in the East Midlands. Even without the innovation voucher – free support for innovative ideas is available.

 
Ed Chester from the University of Leicester said: “This is a real opportunity for companies to engage with the expertise available at the University and to seek assistance with innovation challenges.
 
“The University of Leicester has a successful track record of working with local companies to support their technical and business development and support their growth.
 
“The University’s Space Research Centre is internationally recognised for building instruments that can withstand the extreme conditions encountered during space missions. Working with colleagues in Earth Observation Science (EOS) across the University, it has leading expertise across a wide range of EO techniques and data sets.
 
“In the past the University has worked with mechanical design, feasibility studies, market analysis, assessed innovation risk, prototyped software, tested security, and reviewed products for ease of manufacture or cost reduction.”
 
Qualifying companies are those SMEs who have not worked with the University before.
 
Two business-facing units at the University now provide practical solutions for small companies based on the specialist technical expertise and facilities at the University.
 
Dr Chester added that the University had particular expertise supporting the Climate and Environment Monitoring from Space (CEMS) Facility at ISIC. Space IDEAS Hub provides access to technical expertise within the University’s state-of-the-art instrumentation capability, while G-STEP offers integrated applications of the information available from satellite observations.
 
The expertise on offer to external companies includes -
 
• Practical hands-on technical advice and support
• Problem solving
• Product and process design and development
• Brainstorming product improvements
• Product testing and analysis
• Prototyping
• Land use management and infomatics
• Integrated traffic management
• Managing the built environment
• Air quality monitoring
• Security, disaster and risk management
• Training
• Graduate placements
• Support for accessing funding opportunities