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** Dorset businesses - Will you accept the cyber security challenge?
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Did you know 500,000 new cyber threats are discovered daily in the UK and 81% of the businesses who are victims are small to medium-sized?
We want to make sure our local businesses are fully armed in this most modern of wars.
The Dorset Digital Skills Partnership has invited cyber security experts to hold a special cyber escape room event - facilitated by the Regional Cyber Crime Unit
It will take place on 24 April at County Hall in Dorchester from 9am to 12.30pm. Participants will have to go through a range of cyber security tasks, learning valuable tips along the way, before they can escape.
This FREE event will not only help protect businesses from potential cyber attacks but also promises to be a lot of fun as well.
Get free tickets
** Bringing safe products to the market
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If you work with manufacture, import or distribute products in the UK, you need to know about the actions you should be taking to keep your customers and your business safe.
PAS 7050 is a code of practice developed to promote product safety and to help businesses ensure that they know what actions to take if and when something goes wrong with a product in their supply chain.
Providing safe products for the UK marketplace is a new free guide designed to help businesses get to grips with PAS 7050. Written in plain English by experts in product safety, it contains a wealth of useful guidance on the practices and processes you should be following to stay on the right side of consumer protection law.
Help the businesses you work with avoid the pitfalls and penalties of making mistakes on product safety — access the guide, video discussion and other resources by clicking below today.
Get the guide
** Applications invited for sustainability scholarship
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Sustainability innovators are being invited to apply for The LEAF Caroline Drummond Scholarship for Innovation in Sustainability
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The Scholarship, now in its inaugural year, was set up to honour the late Caroline Drummond MBE, who led LEAF from its inception in 1991, until her death in 2022 at the age of 58.
Each year, administrators of the Scholarship Fund will award a bursary of up to £25,000 for scientific, technical, or business development projects, which further build on her vision of a more environmentally sustainable global farming and food production system.
Read more
** Animal Health and Welfare grants now available
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You can now apply for an Animal Health and Welfare grant
2024.
This means there are now 3 FETF grants available to help you purchase equipment or technology to improve your farm business. You can now apply for:
* Grant for items that improve productivity – deadline for applications is midday 17 April. They will pay a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000.
* Grant for slurry management items – deadline for applications is midday 17 April. They will pay a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000.
* Grants for items that improve animal health & welfare – deadline for applications is midday 1 May. They will pay a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000.
DEFRA will pay a percentage of the cost depending on the item, and for many items this is higher than last year. There are over 230 eligible items and 54 new additions on offer in this round.
The list of items in each theme can be found in the guidance on gov.uk
Read more
** Crest: The Next Generation of Accelerator Programs
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Hatch are seeking groundbreaking innovators in aquaculture and alternative seafood to join the next generation of accelerators.
Presenting CREST: An evolution of the accelerator model to provide greater value to startups.
Founders will receive the following concrete outputs:
* an in-depth Market & Competitor Study from Hatch Innovation Services
* a Marketing & Branding Strategy from The Fish Site Media
* a product Life Cycle Assessment conducted by a third party
* an Intellectual Property Strategy from Hatch Innovation Services
They will also be exposed to Hatch Blueʻs global network of investors, industry representatives, farmers, and first adopters built over the last decade through direct introductions and industry trips in Hawai’i, Norway, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Find out more
** Let’s talk VAT accounting schemes
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Whatever your knowledge of VAT may be, take advantage of the HMRC's online support for the latest information – including the following live webinars.
VAT – using the Flat Rate Scheme
• what the Flat Rate Scheme is and how you can use the scheme
• when you can reclaim VAT for capital expenditure
• what to do if you have more than one business
• how to fill in your VAT return
• record keeping.
VAT accounting schemes
• the VAT Cash Accounting Scheme
• the VAT Flat Rate Scheme
• the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme.

VAT – the basics and the VAT return
• what VAT is and charging VAT
• standard VAT accounting
• paying your VAT bill
• what to do if you make a mistake
• cancelling your VAT registration.
You can also choose from a selection of short videos on the 'Registering for and paying VAT
' playlist – available on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
** Tech South West Growth Forge programme
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Looking to grow your business in 2024? The Tech South West Growth Forge programme provides various avenues for support and growth throughout the year.
Designed for companies of all sizes and tech specialisms, the programme includes face-to-face Growth Days, an online Resource Hub, one-to-one sessions with partners and coaches, and active online peer groups.
With the help of expert partners and coaches you'll identify and capitalise on growth opportunities. Whether it's refining your strategy, honing in on market awareness, or securing funding, you'll receive a tailored growth roadmap and ongoing support to get there. Bursaries are available for positive impact companies.
Learn more and apply
** Free guide: Net zero for businesses
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Consumer behaviour is changing. According to a 2021 YouGov poll, 57% of UK consumers said they would pay more for environmentally friendly products and services. But how can businesses begin their journey towards net zero while still keeping within the law?
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute have produced a free guide on "Net zero for businesses" which is now available on Business Companion to help businesses navigate this area.
Find out more
** New measures to help protect poultry industry from bird flu
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New measures to better protect the poultry sector from future avian influenza outbreaks have been set out by the government.
Under the changes announced there will be new requirements for all bird keepers - regardless of the size of their flock - to officially register their birds. Currently only those who keep 50 or more poultry must do so, limiting the effectiveness of our national disease control measures.
By registering their birds, keepers will ensure they receive important updates relevant to them, such as on any local avian disease outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks.
Find out more
** New Growth Group Alert
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Join the final Growth Group programme for business leaders focused on enhancing productivity and innovation. With two workshops covering leadership, strategic planning, and employee engagement, this programme offers a practical approach to your business challenges.
Supported by Dorset LEP and hosted at AUB Innovation Studio from 9:00 to 16:00 on 22^nd April and 13^th May. Availability is limited, so register soon. Thanks to Dorset LEP, participate at no cost.
Find out more and register
** Go back to basics on contract law
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All businesses use contracts in the course of their day-to-day activities. However, not every business knows how a basic understanding of contract law can help safeguard their best interests if things go wrong.
A new free guide
has been launched by Business Companion to help businesses get to grips with the small print of contract law. Written by experts, it is clear, concise, reliable and up-to-date.
With a helpful checklist on writing terms and conditions, definitions of everyday contract terminology, and useful links to further resources, Contract law basics from Business Companion can be an essential part of every businesses toolbox.
Get the guide
** MUKSW Ocean Tech Expo
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June 26 – 27 2024, University of Plymouth, Roland Levinski Building
Ocean Tech Expo will bring 70+ ocean technology speakers to the city with two days of sessions running across two seminar rooms. The event is designed to showcase the best at or near market commercially viable ocean innovations.
If that wasn’t enough to get your maritime juices flowing there will also be a networking boat cruise around Plymouth Sound on the first night. All proceeds from the event will be reinvested into achieving the Maritime UK South West (MUKSW) 2024 workplan.
Delegate tickets, exhibition space and sponsorship offers have launched, so take a look and get involved.
Find out more
Horizon Scanning Service
Dorset LEP provides a fully funded, horizon scanning service to help more Dorset entrepreneurs, SME’s and projects to identify government funds to power their business growth, increase collaborations and drive innovation. The funding landscape is vast and can be difficult to navigate. Dorset LEP’s horizon scanning service will assist business owners and senior leaders in identifying suitable funding competitions for their businesses to bid into. Your business can also take advantage of the fully funded bid writing support service once a suitable funding competition has been identified.
Bid Writing Support
Dorset LEP provides a fully funded, specialist bid writing support service to help more Dorset entrepreneurs, SME’s and projects access government funds to power their business growth, increase collaborations and drive innovation.
Apply for Horizon Scanning Service or Bid Writing Support
Dorset Growth Hub - Latest events
Innovate UK KTN - Latest Funding opportunities
Latest Innovate UK KTN Events
FOUNDRY Eagle Labs Newsletter April 2024
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