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South West AgriTech are holding their second Showcase to promote the region’s strength in developing the nation’s agricultural technology powerhouse.
South West AgriTech comprises of six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), supported by a steering group of currently 45 members drawn from the six local enterprise partnerships and their local partners, academia and government agencies.
The South West is England’s largest and most rural region with rich, diverse natural resources. The South West has a long history of supporting new ideas, new ways of doing things, new products and services and new business models. Its 14 universities have a range of research specialisms, and the region also benefits from a substantial number of applied research, technology and advanced manufacturing centres that foster collaboration between universities and industry.
AgriTech is seen in the South West as a key economic driver, contributing towards reaching the national ambition of 2.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) investment in research and development (R&D) by 2027. We want to ensure that innovative businesses can access the skills they need, and that the innovation ecosystem is supported, to maximise the benefits for the South West region, the UK and our AgriTech customers overseas.
Get tickets
** Trading Standards and Environmental Health: Webinar and Live Q&A
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Join Dorset Growth Hub for an insightful live Q&A session with Nick Gregory from WSX Enterprise and Tamsin Horsler and Rachael Holden from Dorset Council, focused on Trading Standards and Environmental Health, specifically for those within the Dorset Council area.
Throughout this interactive session, you will get a chance to gain some valuable insights and all the essential details into Trading Standards and Environmental Health and the services that Dorset Council offers to support businesses.
After Tamsin and Rachael share their insights, you will also get the chance to ask the experts any questions about Trading Standards and Environmental Health and their services.
This workshop covers:
* The scope of the regulatory services that Dorset Council provides
* Benefits of early engagement with Regulatory services.
Get tickets
** The Customer Connection Lab:
Crafting your Irresistible Offer
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March 6th (9-5:45pm) and March 20th (9-1:30pm), 2024: The Chocolate Box offices, 8-10 Christchurch Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 3NA.
Struggling to connect with your ideal customers? It’s time to bridge the gap! Join this engaging two-part workshop designed to empower your business and transform your customer relationships.
🎯 What You’ll Learn:
* Identify your key customer segments
* Pinpoint customer needs and desires
* Tailor your offerings to match customer expectations
* Communicate your unique value effectively.
🌟 Why Attend: This handy workshop, inspired by global consultancy insights, explores 40 essential customer value points to guide your business strategy. Gain a competitive edge by meeting five or more customer needs.
Find out more
** South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Group
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A new advisory group to help shape the future development of the tech sector in the South West of England is being launched and is now open to applications.
Facilitated by Tech South West, the group will comprise 15 senior representatives from business and academia, to help progress the strategic direction of the technology sector in the region.
The application process to join the South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Group
is now open.
Established to foster sustainable growth, innovation and technological advancement, the advisory group will consider how the region’s tech sector, which has over 17,500 companies, can be best supported, through developing a strategic and collaborative approach based on agreed priorities.
Find out more
** HMRC - VAT live webinars
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It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to VAT or just fancy a refresher, take advantage of the HMRC's online support for the latest information – including the following live webinars.
VAT Accounting Schemes - This will cover...
* the Cash Accounting Scheme
* the Flat Rate Scheme
* the Annual Accounting Scheme.
Register here
VAT – using the Flat Rate Scheme - Find out about...
* what the Flat Rate Scheme is
* how to use the scheme including, charging customers, and paying HMRC
* when you can and cannot reclaim VAT on capital expenditure
* the VAT Return and records.
This webinar does not cover liabilities. Register here
VAT – the basics and the VAT return: This live webinar:
* 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.
Register here
You’ll also find useful short videos about registering for and paying VAT on the VAT playlist
– available on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
** HMRC - Employers, what’s new for 2024?
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Join the HMRC for an overview of the main changes affecting the way you deal with employee and payroll matters by joining their live webinar. They’ll be covering:
* Class 1 National Insurance contributions – rates and thresholds
* expenses and benefits for employees – fuel benefits charges for company cars, vans and fuel
* National Living and National Minimum Wage rates
* Statutory Payments – the new rates
* Student Loans
* other changes, including changes to National Insurance for those who are self-employed
You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions using the on-screen text box.
Register here
** Farming Investment Fund
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Apply for grants to improve productivity and profitability, the environment and animal health and welfare on your farm.
You can apply for the following grants under the Farming Investment Fund:
* Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
* Water Management
* Slurry Infrastructure
* Adding Value
* Calf Housing for Health and Welfare
* Improving Farm Productivity.
Read more
** Business Futures Coffee and Networking
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How optimistic are you about business and the economy? What are the most pressing issues for business and where are the opportunities?
'Business Futures Coffee and Networking' is heading into its second year and we're delighted to be back at FOUNDRY
Poole. Join other movers, shakers and rising stars on 💥 Wednesday 6 March 2024 💥 for the informal get together to exchange notes and explore what's on the radar. Think of it as a litmus test of the economy exploring both headwinds and tailwinds - the challenges, opportunities and emerging trends over the upcoming business quarter.
Coffee, Cakes, Chat and Insights on the agenda.
Secure your spot
** Britain's Got Startups
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Novus Capital are bringing the Britain’s Got Startups series into the South West and South East.
Britain’s Got Startups has been created to give regional businesses a better platform to raise equity investment. Figures from 2022 show that London has 35% of high growth companies in the UK but receives 50% of the total equity invested into early-stage businesses - that's close to £1.2bn that should be invested into regional businesses if there was a more level playing field.
They said they have had great success in North England, where they were able to bring London-based investors up to Manchester and Leeds to showcase the region's ecosystem and start-up and scale-up talent.
Read more
** Diet and health innovation: Early stage feasibility projects consortia building event & funding competition
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Consortia building event: 18 March 2024, 10am-12pm
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million for early stage feasibility projects working with one or more of the Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC) hubs. This funding is from Innovate UK and BBSRC.
This competition aims to support the design and development of innovative food products to support sustained health and wellbeing.
Project proposals must have the potential to impact the nutritional quality of food and drink products consumed by the UK population. Applications are encouraged from sustainable projects that:
* Improve nutrition in commonly eaten products, including across the convenience and fast-food sectors as well as foods procured by the public sector, for example, in schools and hospitals.
* Address nutrition and health challenges such as obesity and malnutrition in addition to minimising negative effects such as pollution, food loss and waste.
* Develop innovations that are affordable and accessible to all consumers.
Register for event
** Weymouth landlords encouraged to help drive up property standards as part of Safer Renting Scheme
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Dorset Council has launched the Safer Renting scheme in Weymouth and Portland to improve rented property standards and help landlords comply with a range of laws.
Since its launch last year, 75 per cent of landlords who have been contacted via the scheme have already signed up and received bespoke advice and information in return.
The council is keen however, to contact those landlords, that have been written to, but are still to respond.
The process is simple, landlords approached through Safer Renting will receive a letter advising them to log their details and complete a form for the property that they let out.
They will be asked to confirm that they meet common legal requirements such as possessing a current gas safety certificate, electrical condition report and providing a smoke detector on each level of the property.
Read 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
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