Welsh Assembly Government

The Welsh Assembly Government provides a range of support and advice for all businesses in Wales. The first point of contact is Flexible Support for Business (previously Business Eye) however the following are a small selection of the current programmes:

Finance Wales: The aim of Finance Wales is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship by offering financial solutions on a commercial basis, designed to complement existing sources of finance. Financial help can take the form of loans, equity investment or Mezzanine funding which is a mixture of both and is available where traditional bank finance is considered too risky.

For more information visit - www.financewales.co.uk

IP Wales: IP Wales is a business support initiative aimed at helping companies and individuals to take advantage of their intellectual property rights. The aim is to help develop your business through the use of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, database rights, know-how and licensing agreements. IP Wales provides companies with the expertise and means to protect and commercially exploit these Intellectual Property (IP) assets.

For more information visit - www.ipwales.com

Regional Selective Assistance (RSA): RSA is a discretionary grant for businesses requiring more than £75,000 of financial assistance towards capital investment projects. The scheme is intended to fill any gap after all other potential funding has been sought. Eligible expenditure can involve new investment in capital assets (machinery, computer equipment, buildings etc). Intellectual property bought from a third party, professional fees and other one-off costs related to the investment may also be eligible.

Click on the following link to learn more about RSA.

Assembly Investment Grant (AIG): (AIG) is a discretionary scheme for small and medium sized businesses offering grants of between £5,001 and £75,000 for capital investments. The scheme is intended to fill any gap after all other potential funding has been sought. Eligible expenditure is similar to that mentioned for the RSA grant.

Click on the following link to learn more about AIG.

SMART Cymru:

SMART Cymru is a research and development (R&D) scheme to assist new product and process development. It is a comprehensive pan Wales programme from the Welsh Assembly Government that provides easy access to funding and a unique range of skills and expertise. SMART Cymru has been developed in consultation with industry with the specific aim of encouraging and supporting innovators to carry out R&D that has real commercial potential. Support is available for all phases of the development life-cycle, from feasibility to exploitation. It is open to all innovators who aim to create and exploit technologically innovative products and processes, based in Wales.

For more information visit - www.wales.gov.uk/smartcymru

Knowledge Bank for Business (KB4B)

A high level of specialist support is targeted at innovative, technology-led businesses. It is designed to promote high-growth through the assistance of a dedicated commercial manager. He or she will help the business exploit the full potential of a firm’s knowledge, expertise and ideas.

Click on the following link to learn more about KB4B.

Know How Wales

Know How Wales provides a free service to Technium companies through access to knowledge and expertise by linking them with academic institutions and global expertise. Free, comprehensive and independent advice is provided to businesses and institutions in support of the commercialisation of technology, innovation and R&D, to realise new ideas for product/process development, to collaborate more effectively with institutions, to access a wide range of existing programmes in technology, innovation and R&D, maximising the potential of academia and businesses, provide information on Teaching Company Schemes, College Business Partnerships and I.P.R.

For further information visit www.knowhowwales.com

The Cardiff Centre of Excellence specialises in providing high quality teaching in small groups of students and are unique in the provision of mentoring in core subjects. The Centre’s aim is to prepare students for the top universities and for highly competitive Degree Courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Pharmacy, Law and Optometry.

For more information visit – www.ccoex.com

Wales Innovation Relay Centre (WIRC)

This Centre is the Welsh arm of the European-wide IRC network, created to stimulate trans-national technology transfer and promote innovative services. Hosted and part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, it forms part of the Technology and Innovation group of the Department for the Economy and Transport and works closely with regional business development managers in other key areas.

For further information visit - www.walesrelay.co.uk

International Trade

International Trade provides an import export business guide for companies trading across borders who wish to expand into new global markets and grow their business overseas, collating international trading resources to guide in import, export and trade for the international business.

For further information visit - www.interntionaltrade.co.uk

Go Wales offers a range of services proven to help students, graduates and businesses in Wales including, work placements, work experience, funding for training and an online database of jobs in Wales. The Programme encourages businesses and graduates in Wales to get the most out of working together and better prepares students and graduates for work and their future career. In so doing, the Programme contributes significantly to the economic development of Wales as businesses can access the skills they need to grow and succeed.

For further information visit - www.gowales.co.uk

Flexible Support for Business (replaced Business Eye) - Provided by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Flexible Support for Business website provides a wealth of information for Welsh businesses. The site contains details of a range of support including finance, premises, training, tendering and free business workshops, along with information resources, link directories, business news and events.

For further information visit - www.business-support-wales.gov.uk

Business in Focus (BIF)

Business in focus is dedicated to enabling small and medium sized enterprises either to get off to a flying start or, once established, to grow and develop into sustainable and flourishing businesses. The organisation provides a wide range of services including professional advice and guidance services, access to business training courses, seminars and networking opportunities, signposting to business professionals and specialist consultants and information on how to fund your business development plans. In addition, Business in Focus also offers a comprehensive suite of property related services including workshops, meeting / conference rooms and information communication technology facilities.

For further information visit - www.businessinfocus.co.uk

Venture Wales provide a variety of start up programmes and consultancy schemes aimed at improving performance, specifically specialising in helping with key issues from strategy to marketing and finance. Services include advice on business matters, longer-term support for early stage companies and in-depth specialist consultancy and funding support.

For further information visit - www.venturewales.com

CODA has developed an impressive client base, ranging from substantial public sector bodies through to expanding manufacturing and service enterprises and technology based start-ups. The Programme has been specifically designed to meet the needs of ambitious entrepreneurs and offers practical, individually tailored assistance subsidised by the Welsh Assembly Government.

For further information visit - www.codagroup.co.uk

T2

T2 provides incredibly dynamic and highly flexible training, coaching and business support solutions, which all deliver quantifiable value to its clients. The organisation specialises in management, customer service, sales, personal effectiveness and IT training. A wide spectrum of training solutions are provided including modern apprenticeships, scheduled open courses and Tailored closed courses.

For more information visit - www.t2business.co.uk