The Innovation Lincolnshire programme was established to stimulate the development and growth of SMEs in Lincolnshire’s main Objective 2 area by enabling significant improvements in product, processes, technology and business practices. Lincolnshire’s economy is dominated by both engineering and food sector enterprises of all sizes, capability and maturity.
ANGLE provided SME opportunity analysis, specialist searching and brokering services and hands-on innovation support delivered by a team of dedicated business and innovation experts; and complemented by a series of value-adding events to support knowledge transfer, awareness raising and SME engagement.
The programme has engaged with over 300 companies since its inception in April 2007, providing thirty-hour periods of consultant support to over 60 businesses, with over 240 businesses assisted to improve their performance, over 200 people assisted to improve their innovation skills, innovation grants issued to 17 companies and 41 added value events presented.
In January 2010, following this successful pilot, ANGLE began delivery of the Solutions for Business product Innovation Advice and Guidance across the whole of Lincolnshire on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.