The programme is delivering a £2.5 million funding investment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). SCORE grants range from £2,500 up to a maximum of 30% of the project’s eligible costs, or £50,000, whichever is the lower.
Richard Salmon, project manager and business adviser for SCORE says: ‘Many companies and start-ups can be deterred from applying for funding as they perceive the level of information and form filling required too time consuming. That isn’t the case with this grant fund.
‘Where SCORE differs from many grant opportunities is that we are supported by a team of industry specialists whose job is to support companies and start-ups; find out more about their innovative ideas to evaluate funding viability and then assist with the development of a funding business case.’
One company already reaping the benefits of SCORE funding having secured £10,000 funding is Scour Prevention Systems, which offers a field proven, patented and innovative solution for the prevention of scour around offshore structures and cables.
Scour, the erosion of sediment around objects located in flowing water, can lower the seabed below the specified design level for a structure, which can affect structural stability and accelerate fatigue damage to components.
Scour Prevention System’s mats are made using recycled vehicle tyres laid side-by-side, which trap sediment in their centres and thus form a protective layer. This method is particularly innovative and has higher success rates than alternative methods due to the ideal density of the tyres meaning that they do not sink into the seabed.
Warren Hoskins-Davies, project manager at Scour Prevention Systems says: ‘We were delighted to secure the funding for our system which assists offshore engineers in combating the considerable challenges scour presents. The grant has enabled us to secure intellectual property rights for our technology as well as investigating the practicalities of installation, such as anchoring techniques.’
Richard Salmon concludes: ‘Our region’s offshore renewable energy sector provides East Anglian businesses with a unique landscape on which to develop innovative ideas, processes and services. Recipients of SCORE funding will all help strengthen the area’s capability for innovation and as we announce news of the diverse range of projects funded, we hope others will be encouraged to apply for grant funding.’
To contact SCORE’s business advisers, please call 01502 563368 or email [email protected]
SCORE is based out of specialist offshore renewables innovation and incubation centre, OrbisEnergy and managed by NWES.
About Score:
Eligibility criteria apply and include:
· Grant maximum 30% or £50,000 of eligible costs, whichever is the lower
· Minimum grant level £2,500
· Pre-trading and established businesses may apply
· Businesses must have less than 250 employees and a balance sheet with net assets less than €50m
· Businesses must be based in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk or Suffolk
The SCORE project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established for the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit:
www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding
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For further information, please contact: Lyn Peters and/or Sophie French
Pier Marketing T: 01394 276923 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
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