Essex Innovation

About Us

The Essex Innovation Programme has been running for over 10 years. In that time we have worked with over 1000 companies helping them to start up, to grow and to introduce new products to market.

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Helping Essex companies access over £2million in funding in the last 2 years

Helped over 200 businesses to start up in the last 5 years

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Example: delivered efficiency savings of £350,000 per year

Helped over 100 companies to increase their productivity

How We
Can Help

If you want to grow your company through innovation and have support needs, we will direct you to the right channels. This may include introducing you to experienced professional private sector support and networks.

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Established Businesses

Our team of private sector mentors have vast experience in working with, in & for large companies faced with growth aspirations & challenges & looking to drive innovation into their business....

Early Stage Businesses

We are working with early stage businesses to help them to accelerate their growth, providing support and experience on a range of issues businesses face, once they have moved past start-up...

Start-Ups

If you are a pre-start or start-up business please visit the BEST Growth Hub.

Young Entrepreneurs

If you’re aged 16-30, live in Essex and have an innovative business idea requiring mentoring and financial support of up to £5,000, ask us about the Essex Young Entrepreneur's Network....

Case
Studies

The Essex Innovation Programme works with many businesses and individuals to help bring new products to market through collaboration with partners such as universities and research organisations...

Proform Europe

Proform Europe - one of the leading manufacturers of educational tables and chairs

Excalibur Screwbolts

Excalibur Screwbolts - award-winning innovation for the international construction industry

The Cheeky Panda is set for Accelerated Growth

The Cheeky Panda is now ready to scale up with new investment and staff

Innovation
News

Business news and updates from across the county...

All Our Articles

BEST Growth Hub Business Workshop Programme is Live!

Exciting new funded workshops to get your Essex business to the next level

Essex Young Entrepreneurs Invited To Be Their Own Boss

I Roll Up My Sleeves Is Supporting Young Entrepreneurs And Businesses

Success of Essex’s Innovation 50 is celebrated

Essex's 50 most innovative small to medium enterprises are acknowledged

Zero emission truck company announces £2.74m development projects

Projects will expand Chelmsford based Tevva Motors

50 of the brightest and most innovative companies in Essex identified

Innovation 50 project indicates important characteristics & strategies of SMEs showing growth potential...

Winners of the Essex Business Excellence Awards announced

Highlighting the best in Essex Commerce

Business Development Rate Relief Scheme

To encourage and support business growth in the Uttlesford District

Scheme to provide grants for Small and Medium Enterprises

Businesses in the Tendring district can apply for the Small and Medium Enterprises Growth Fund

Environmentally friendly toilet tissue company wins Essex innovation award

BIG Business Boost competition identified Essex's most promising entrepreneurs and micro businesses

Essex universities recognised for business links

University of Essex Knowledge Gateway to receive government backing to turn science into growth

A Wide Range
of Expertise

The Essex Innovation Programme is part of a wider team of professionals working with businesses across a number of business growth themes; international market access, business incubation, innovation and business development.

INVEST Essex

Helping businesses to establish a foothold in the UK and European markets. Promoting the opportunities of a location on the doorstep of London and Cambridge and with excellent links to Europe to companies in the UK, Europe and globally.

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Essex International

Helping companies and organisations to access the Chinese market. Providing unique access through an exclusive 27-year relationship with the Jiangsu province in China. Essex International have the right connections to help businesses to export, pursue partnerships, the right expertise and in market presence develop connections and partnerships and the right experience to help organisations increase their presence in the Chinese market.

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Essex Innovation Programme

Helping you to grow your company through mentoring, guidance and partnerships we will ensure you are directed you to the right channels. This may include introducing you to experienced professional private sector support and networks.

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Essex Enterprise Centres

Providing a flexible, stimulating and supportive business environment for companies, typically micro and small, looking to take their first steps into occupying premises. Our Enterprise centres are located in Basildon, Clacton and Ongar.

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Contact

Emma Wakeling Business Innovation Manager

Emma Wakeling

Business Innovation Manager

Biography

Leading on the Essex Innovation Programme and developing new support mechanisms to enable Essex businesses to grow. Managing a team of experienced private sector business mentors who work closely with multi-sectoral established businesses and start-ups to embed innovative practices. Focusing on product (including intellectual property), process, organisational and marketing innovation. Developing key collaborative strategic partnerships with industry and academia.

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Helen Quinnell Innovation Manager

Helen Quinnell

Innovation Manager

Biography

I work with innovative SMEs across Essex providing a range of support to enable business growth through the Essex Innovation Programme. This includes business mentoring for start-ups, early stage and established companies, signposting to funding and finance, as well as arranging networks and events to provide opportunities for business collaboration.

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Danielle Putt Innovation & Sector Development Officer

Danielle Putt

Innovation & Sector Development Officer

Biography

I work within the Enterprise Team to support, coordinate and manage the delivery of a range of activities to deliver the above, including; providing businesses with access to first class innovation support, supporting and developing the delivery of vibrant sector networks, anticipating challenges affecting businesses' competitiveness and plans for growth, and developing and delivering specific and generic solutions.

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