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An
exciting new project is offering generous funding support to food
and drink businesses to develop innovative new products or novel
packaging ideas.
Appetizing
Innovation, an initiative supported by Yorkshire Forward, is
providing funding of up to 50 per cent of the total project cost to
help companies to access specialist help - provided they apply before
the end of March 2009.
This
significant financial incentive, which is available to all food and
drink companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region, can be accessed
by business - from small start-ups with exciting new ideas, to
established major players. Entrepreneurs with exciting plans for new
products are also eligible to apply.
The
Appetizing Innovation project, led by Food Processing Faraday
Partnership (FPFP), brings together a consortium of leading product
and packaging experts to support companies in their efforts to remain
competitive and succeed in today's challenging economic climate.
Working
alongside FPFP in the consortium are Sheffield Hallam University's
Centre for Food Innovation, Leeds Metropolitan University, the
Regional Food Group and Design Futures - an award winning packaging
innovation consultancy. The initiative enables companies to easily
access a range of sources with the most up to date skills,
technologies and equipment, while being supported throughout by a
dedicated account manager or technology translator.
Technology
translator John Stanford said: "Some companies have exciting
ideas for innovation but may feel it is too risky to try. We want to
help them to access, in as straightforward a way as possible, the
expertise already available in the region."
He
added: "One of the key requirements for funding support is
that projects are truly innovative - they must be looking at
something original, or developing a different way of doing things. We
will help companies to find the right consortium partner to work with
to develop their ideas once they've been assessed as meeting the
necessary criteria - and we'll be in close contact with them
throughout to ensure the project moves forward successfully. And of
course they will be able to access funding of up to 50 per cent of
the total cost of the project."
Making
things easy is a key element of what the Appetizing Innovation
project is designed to do. Dr Stanford said: "Businesses
don't always know how to develop their ideas themselves, or where
they can access help. The element of risk involved in new product
development is also a key concern - but with the latest funding offer
and the support of the Appetizing Innovation team there is a firm
foundation for success."
Andrew
Collinson from Food and Drink Sector Development at Yorkshire
Forward said: "There is huge potential for food and drink
businesses in Yorkshire and Humber to access significant expertise,
with world class skills and equipment on their doorstep. This will
boost innovation throughout the industry and help businesses continue
to compete effectively."
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