NEWS.

Regional Talent Engines programme launches to support aspiring entrepreneurs

09th May 2022

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub is opening applications for the September intake of its Regional Talent Engines programme for people based in Northern Ireland, North West England, North East England, and Yorkshire & the Humber

Successful applicants will receive a £20,000 grant and six months’ support to develop ideas for engineering innovation into startups

Applicants must hold a Further Education technical qualification or be an experienced mid-late career engineer.

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub has opened a new round of applications for its Regional Talent Engines programme to support entrepreneurial mid-late career engineers and individuals from vocational backgrounds to develop innovative ideas. The Enterprise Hub will grant successful applicants £20,000 equity-free funding for living and business costs to help grow their ideas into startup businesses.

Designed to boost innovation in regions across the UK, applicants must be based in Northern Ireland, North West England, North East England, or Yorkshire & the Humber. The programme is targeted at people who either hold a technical qualification from a Further Education college or are experienced mid-late career engineers looking to bring an innovative idea to market.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will also receive six months’ support to prepare them for commercialising their engineering solutions. The Enterprise Hub will provide expert mentoring, training, one-to-one coaching, access to the Academy’s diverse network and meeting space in the Academy’s Taylor Centre. After completing the programme, participants will be invited to become Hub Members with lifetime support, including access to the Enterprise Hub’s facilities, training opportunities, and network of Academy Fellows, investors, experts, and advisors.

Speaking about the launch of the new programme, Ana Avaliani, Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Development at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said, “Our Regional Talent Engines programme supports ambitious mid-late career engineers and individuals with technical backgrounds who can often be underrepresented in the enterprise community. This programme hopes to cultivate their passion for creativity, problem-solving, and design to launch their own startups. With an emphasis on mentoring and skills development, participants can gain the confidence to begin new careers as entrepreneurs with equity-free financial backing from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub. We encourage anyone with an idea for an engineering or technological solution to apply.

“Having recently started the programme in Northern Ireland, North West England, North East England, and Yorkshire & the Humber, we are keen to champion diverse talent from across the regions of the UK. Our long-term aim is to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems by helping launch successful engineering and technology businesses, creating jobs and economic prosperity.”

Applications are open until 23 May 2022 with the programme commencing in early September. Full details of the programme including guidance notes can be viewed on the Academy’s website. All applications for each regional programme must be submitted on the online grant system.

https://enterprisehub.raeng.org.uk/programmes/regional-talent-engines/

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