Showcasing business innovation

An Innovation Summit is being held to showcase the excellent work taking place in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and help shape the support local businesses will want in the future.

Between 2014 and 2020 D2N2 - the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire - proposes to spend £50m on business support measures to aid business innovation and is currently shaping its strategy.

The summit takes place at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre on Thursday, January 30, 2014, when D2N2 will outline the support currently available and seek the views of businesses regarding what further help is needed.

This event will run from 8am to 10.30am and include presentations, networking opportunities and an innovation fair.

Speakers at the ‘It’s Time to Innovate’ summit will include representatives from innovating businesses, David Ralph, the CEO of the D2N2 LEP and Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, who also sits on the D2N2 Board.

D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph said: “Innovation is in our DNA and is a key competitive advantage of the D2N2 area.

“It is one of the four cornerstones of our Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), which is now out for consultation and will help us achieve our goal of helping create 55,000 jobs in the region by 2023.

“This event will be a perfect chance to outline our plans, engage with innovative businesses and people and feed that into the final submission of our SEP, which will go to Government by the end of March 2014.”

This event is primarily aimed at businesses in the D2N2 area and representatives from partners and will run from 8am to 10.30am and include presentations, networking opportunities and an innovation fair.

As part of the registration process businesses can outline their innovation needs and businesses will be matched to relevant support providers on the day.

For further details, or to book, go to www.ingenuitygateway.com or call Dave Tuer on 0115 748 4353.