Organisation Name:  Welsh Assembly Government

Project Description: EnergyNet Wales

The project will seek to maximise the economic benefit to the Welsh economy from the ongoing drive in Wales and by the Energy Industry to design, develop, construct and operate increasingly renewable, lower carbon/no carbon and more efficient generating capacity. The project will capitalise on the complementarity and synergy between these two objectives with the emergence and establishment of new renewable and lower carbon and higher efficiency generating technology and plant, which, as they move to commercialisation will require the establishment of new supply chains. The project will identify the associated new business opportunities and the possible routes to their realisation by Welsh SMEs.

The project will promote the current supply chain capability and capacity based here in Wales and encourage and support both individual companies and sectoral clusters in improving their competitiveness, understanding and positioning within the industry. The industry is under pressure to generate ever more energy from a diminishing established resource and spiralling CO2 emissions. The project will assist businesses in the better exploitation and diversification of the energy sources available to Wales, together with innovative and new ways of harnessing them.

On a global scale, the Energy Industry is worth as estimated £230bn pa with in excess of £7bn of projects at various stages of development interested in setting up in Wales. The potential opportunities an industry of this size can offer are great but the currently disjointed supply chain in Wales lacks cohesion, coordination and collaboration to maximise the possible economic benefits. With this in mind, the project will include a proactive, sustainable network supported by web based information dissemination, exchange on sector developments, sharing of good practice, supply chain opportunities etc. Through a series of events, Welsh suppliers will be introduced to opportunities and projects, such as those emerging from new renewable technologies. The project will promote networking between Welsh companies with a view to forming alliances which can bid for potentially larger contracts than individual companies, and identify opportunities within the industry where this approach might be adopted.

Email Address: martin.brown@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan Wales

Organisation Core Business:  Government of Wales

Who will be involved in delivering the project: EnergyNet Wales and appointed contractors

Who will be the end beneficiaries: SME’s in Wales who currently supply or have the potential to supply goods and /or services to the Energy Industry. Companies looking to develop or currently operate energy plant in Wales and are endeavouring to do so in the most sustainable and energy efficient manner.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All qualifying areas

What might the outputs(activity measures The programme would look to assist 150 businesses in developing their visibility within the energy industry and in many cases from the synergies mentioned earlier, individual companies could well benefit from multiple sectors within the industry. It is also envisaged that a number of strategic gaps will present themselves and new businesses either as inward investment or newly created enterprises would be encouraged and supported.

What might be the results of the project: New job creation, added value and more sustainable energy generated wherever in Wales the projects Welsh SMEs are associated with are located.  The energy industry has an annual spend measured in hundreds of billions of pounds globally and it is usual for individual project spends to run into hundreds of millions. It is envisaged that by year 5 of the project opportunities totalling £100m pa would be generated for Welsh companies through the programme, leading to new contracts and increased turnover in enterprises assisted, creating 200jobs pa.  Through strategic gap identification and the adoption of a proactive role in filling these gaps the project could also create up to 10 new enterprises pa by year 5 through both indigenous company expansion and diversification and inward investment, including JV’s between indigenous enterprises and inwardly investing ones.  The diverse nature of the industry and its generally high value added technologies will bring profit benefit, value added and increased turnover to companies and significant investment in new plant and equipment to fulfil the needs of the industry.

What would its impact be The potential financial benefits to the Welsh economy are obvious from the above. However winning business for Welsh companies is only a start.  Currently the UK leads the world in the development of the emerging marine energy technologies and Wales is blessed with excellent natural resources in this regard. Wales could potentially become both a centre for project development and, without any established supply chain, a prime candidate to form a focal point for the development of this also.

Wales’s aspirations to develop a clean energy industry is potentially hindered by local objections to contentious developments. Developing wider economic benefits and creating employment in the industry is seen as a key activity in mitigating these objections and in achieving the aspirations set out in the One Wales Document, TAN8 planning guidance and the Welsh Energy Route Map.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 6 years

Estimated Cost: The estimated cost of the project is £3 to 4m.

Where might the match funding come from: WAG and fees and contributions from Welsh suppliers and contributions from developers and operators benefiting from the project.

Organisation Name:  Wrexham County Borough Council

Project Description: This Project aims to introduce Business Development Co-ordinators, who would be responsible for co-ordinating a range of activities that will enhance, develop and support the economic, financial and environmental prosperity of areas of major employment importance at Wrexham Industrial Estate in Wrexham and Deeside Industrial Park in Flintshire.

The project essentially will do the following;

Provide support to existing and new businesses in these two major employment centres in Wrexham and Flintshire in relation to economic, financial and environmental issues; Promote Wrexham and Flintshire and its key employment centres by encouraging new business to these areas and by securing re-investment of existing companies for long-term sustainability; Establish network development groups on related issues that could include areas such as, Manufacturing, ICT, Export, HR/Training, Purchasing, Environmental, Health & Safety, Security, Lean Manufacturing, Engineering, Creative Industries. This project could also be extended in future to encourage companies from smaller Industrial Estates/ Business Parks to engage.

Introduce any other specific cluster working identified within local economic strategies, and identified throughout the project through business demand.

Email Address: allan.taylor@wrexham.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North East Wales

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Wrexham County Borough Council and Flintshire Co unty Council

Who will be the end beneficiaries: All businesses located on Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park, together with the owners and employees of theses businesses and indirectly, communities in which this increased activity takes place. In addition there is also scope in the future to introduce business groups from smaller estates and parks.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North East Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures Businesses advised Jobs created and/or safeguarded; increased profitability; private sector investment; increased levels of exporting; cluster development.

What might be the results of the project: Strategic  liaison links with business, development of Web related links, safer business environment projects, physical improvements, transportation links, active signposting, collaborative working between companies and inter trading. Long term sustainability, diversity and investment.  The establishment of a number of regional networking cluster groups centred on specific activities such as Manufacturing and also the clustering of businesses within other key strategic sectors across two or more local authority areas.

What would its impact be Collaborative working, increased inward investment, increased turnover for existing businesses, improved economic activity, employment opportunities created and safeguarded.  Enterprises adopting environmental, equality and diversity strategies, new products being brought to the marketplace, reduced business costs by working together with other businesses either in similar sectors or by working within certain activities. Increased GVA, greater prosperity for local communities.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The following is only a guide but is an indication of the workload an individual co-ordinator would be expected to cover on an annual basis.  However, this does not take into account the work required behind the scenes to create and progress the network clustering.  Assist with Inward investment enquiries (30) Company visits by type: (160) Company contacts by type (200) Targeted key sectors contacted/visited

(200) Targeted key sectors contacted/visited, Forum events held (12) identify Job Creations(40)

Estimated Cost: The estimated cost over 3 years would be in the region of £380,000 in total.

Where might the match funding come from: The match funding required would come from the local authorities involved in the delivery of the project.

Date 25/01/08

Organisation Name: Holistic Services Ltd

Project Description: The Eclipse Business Transformation is a unique, private sector Regional Business Development oportunity that is directly aligned to the aims of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Eclipse is an innovative, strategic and holistic 360 degree process for SME companies. It aims to create exceptional "quantum leap" walth and employment creation for the Welsh economy as a whole and for participating companies. Eclipse combines the very best of:
1) innovative business transformation processes with;
2) transformational leadership, team and people development, together with;
3) continuous improvement and best practice

This proposal aims to help 1200 SMEs achieve exceptional wealth creation by achieving a minimum doubling of both profits and turnover and creating an average minimum 10 new jobs per company within 3 years of completing Eclipse, thus creating a total of 12,000 new jobs.

It is based on proven processes that have an unprecedented track record of success in helping companies achieve this aim and will enable SMEs to create sustainable leadership in their chosen markets, able to compete on a World stage.

Email Address: steve@holisticservices.com

Geographical Area of Operation: All convergence areas of Wales

Organisation Core Business: TRANSFORMING ABILITY TO SEE POTENTIAL: focuses on breakthrough thinking. It addresses what, why and how issues. It identifies the differentiating unique combination of company competencies that when integrated into product or service offering, will prove difficult for competitors to copy. It identifies the strategy choices that will stimulate dynamic growth. Creating a seemingly impossible future.
TRANSFORMING CULTURE: Focuses on enabling the Company's key personnel to align thinking, structure, roles and responsibilities to develop core competencies and business processes. To develop the skills for team-working and energising the workforce, it develops and measures behaviour. Creating sustainable leadership. TRANSFORMING PROCESS ABILITY:
Focusses on deploying the strategy choices through key business processes, aligning measures, objectives and actions; minimising non value adding activities that consumes resources; ensuring that people, process, plant and supply chain are aligned and streamlined. Creating business process leadership.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Holistic Services working closely with a customised group of partnership consultancies together with industry forums, Wales Management Council, Wales Quality Centre, Sector Skills Councils, and other relevant business support organisations and academic institutions.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Participating Companies; Welsh Assembly Government

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All convergence areas of Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): PARTICIPATING COMPANIES: (1) creating unprecedented growth and sutainable wealth creation by helping participating SMEs achieve a minimum doubling of both profits and turnover within 3 years of completing Eclipse; (2) stimulating extraordinary employment creation by helping companies create a minimuim of 10 new jobs within 3 years of completing Eclipse, thus creating over 12,000 new jobs; (3) helping companies in creating sustainable market leadership through innovation, uniqueness and differentiation; (4) enabling company leaders and people to see and create emerging business opportunities and realise previously unsees potential;
(5) inspiring company leaders and people in raising aspirations and maximising potential in achieveing what they may have previously thought impossible, both for the company and individuals; (6) maximising growth potential and diversity, with the ability of SMEs to trade internationally. WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT - (1) Extraordinary value for money benefits for both the Welsh Economy as a whole and participating companies in terms of wealth and employment creation for 1200 companies;
(2) seven year programme at cost of £27 million; (3) unique, private sector proposal that is strongly supported by all-Wales Industry Forums and Networks committed to delivering exceptional benefits for their members and the Welsh economy; (4) local, flexible delivery capability throughout Wales based on company priorities and needs; (5) peace of mind that Eclipse team have a proven and unprecedented track record of helping companies achieve the exceptional benefits.

What might be the results of the project: This process directly aligns with the objectives and aspirations of the Welsh Assembly's One Wales Agenda for a Prosperous Society and the sets of actions: (1) creating jobs across Wales; (2) stimulating enterprise and business growth; (3) enhancing skills for jobs.
It enables Welsh SMEs to improve their international competitive
positioning. It focuses on developing unprecedented capability for both
wealth and employment creation. It focuses on and has a track record of
delivering extraordinary business benefits. It creates a unique network
of strategic partners genuinely working together to satisfy the best interests of Welsh business including various Manufacturing Forums, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, The University of Glamorgan and the Wales
Management Council. It addresses both business and managment issues as
well as their interdependencies. It ensures the businesses, business
development bodies, and consultancy are working in partnership. The
approaches are rigorous and pragmatic, offering at all times informed choices and options working within the frameworks of "health and
well-being" and sustainability. There is the opportunity to introduce
innovative approaches to help people back to work. They are designed to be flexible and responsive. Developing a sustainable local delviery capability.

What would its impact be: Directly creating 12,000 jobs, participating companies doubling turnover and profits in 3 years. This process directly aligns with the objectives and aspirations of the Welsh Assembly's One Wales Agenda for a Prosperous Society and the sets of actions: (1) creating jobs across Wales (2) stimulating enterprise and business growth (3) enhancing skills for jobs (4) enabling Welsh SMEs to improve their international competitive positioning. It wil develop unprecedented capability for both wealth and employment creation. The aproaches are rigorous and pragmatic, offering at all times informed choices and options working within the frameworks of "health and well-being" and sustainability. RIGOROUS, PRAGMATIC, and PROVEN

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 1200 companies over seven years

Estimated Cost: £27 million

Where might the match funding come from: Participating companies; Welsh Assembly Government

Date: 14/01/08

Organisation Name: Consultants4Wales Ltd

Project Description: Consultants 4 Wales working in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Gov'ts Value Wales and the D E and T's Strategy and Policy Group propose to implement a project to increase the amount of Welsh public sector purchase spend won by Welsh businesses.
The project will build on the success to date of Value Wales and D E and T by developing Welsh suppliers to satisfy the needs of the public sector buying organisations and outperforming non-local competition to provide exceptional value for money.
The public sector in Wales spends some £5 billion per annum, greater than 50% of which is spent outside of Wales. This project will target to accelerate the ability of Welsh companies to take advatage of this opportunity.
The project totally aligns with the Welsh Assembly Govenment's declared stategy "One Wales". It will provide energy, speed and customised resource to implant the "Opening Doors" Charter. It will deploy a customised expandable resource assembled around the specific needs of the programme.
Its function will be to assist the development of public sector procurement organisations while simutaneously developing the strength of the Welsh supply chain to outperform its competitors.
The project will assist in developing a SME friendly procurement function within WAG, a requriement declared in "Making the Connection". It will develop more effective coordination of buying organisations across the public sector in Wales.

Email Address: morrispaul10@tiscali.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: All Convergence Areas

Organisation Core Business: An organisation customised to develop the public sector supply chain in Wales. (Working in partnership with 2 WAG departments, Value Wales & D E and T's Strategy & Policy Group who have responsibility for improving the public sector supply chain)

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Consultants 4 Wales working in partnership with the 2 WAG departments. (Value Wales & D E and T's Strategy and Policy Group who have responsibility for improving public sector supply chain)

Who will be the end beneficiaries: SME's in Wales who will win more business from the public sector. Public sector procurement organisations who will get improved value for money from a more competitive local supply chain.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The project will work with all public spend buying organisations across Wales. It will assist SME's through the convergence area of Wales.

What might the outputs(activity measures): The project will build credibility with Welsh SME's such that they will want to do business with the Public Sector dispelling the myths around public sector procurement. It will develop a cost effective competitive local supply chain for the public sector with the capability to outperform its European competitors. It will focus resources to front line service support. Its targets will be to increase local spend by £600 million over 7 years. Creating/Saving 20,000 jobs and improving GVA by 1.5% to £60.8 Billion. It will assist in developing a world class public procurement function. The project will enable buyers and suppliers in the public sector supply chain to work effectively coordinating across organisational boundaries. It will provide a framework for simpler outcome focused relationships. It will develop a programme database of consolidated supply capabilities in Wales.

What might be the results of the project: Increas the value of business won from the public sector by Welsh SME's. Increase the number of Welsh SME suppliers to the public sector in Wales. Improve the value for money obtained by the public sector in Wales by increasing the number and quality of potential suppliers competing for Welsh public sector business. Increase/Safeguard jobs in Welsh SME's. Increase GVA by approx 1.5% to £60.8 billion.

What would its impact be: Improving competitiveness of the Welsh public sector supply chain to compete more effectively for business not only in Wales but beyond. Assist with creating a world class public sector procurement function. Create an environment in Wales where SME's have a want to do business culture with the public sector. Collaboration with business developement partners to develop a more effective cooperation across the whole of the public sector.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The total cost of the project will be £22.1 million assisting 750 SME companies in the convergence area to win business from the public sector buying organisation in Wales. The project will run from June 2008 for 7 years.

Estimated Cost: Total cost £22.1 million over 7 years

Where might the match funding come from: Match funding will come from :- Participating SME's; Welsh Assembly Governement (D E and T)

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 04/01/08

Organisation Name: PBI/Encompass Consulting

Project Description: Project Name: ENERGIZEWALES.COM

ENERGIZEWALES.COM is proposed as a follow on to PBI’s part Objective One funded Energize programme, which has successfully been providing specialist support to South West Wales based SMEs working in and supplying to the energy industry since 2004. The area’s supply chain has developed into a centre of excellence that currently supports UK wide oil refineries, storage terminals and power generation plants and has recently developed new skills and expertise whilst supporting the construction and commissioning of two liquefied natural gas terminals in Pembrokeshire.

A report, commissioned in November 2007 by PBI and carried out by the Welsh Economy Research Unit, identified that the Energize programme had been successful in achieving the programme objectives and that there was a high level of satisfaction amongst clients. It also noted that clients felt that their ability to both fulfill existing commercial opportunities, and identify and maximise upon potential new prospects, would be jeopardized if the specialised support was no longer available. In addition to successfully helping clients to increase T/O, create new jobs and safeguard existing ones, it was also recognised that the Energize programme played a key role in helping businesses embrace legislation, implement changes to quality and operating procedures and generally improve management competency levels.

In response to these findings, this programme will build upon and develop the specialist business support mechanisms currently provided by the Energize programme and the support will be available to eligible companies in the South and West Wales convergence areas, with a particular focus on oil, gas and power generation development opportunities.

Areas of support will include:
•    Undertake capability reviews for clients to ascertain current and potential market positioning.
•    Provide pre-qualification support.
•    Provide industry tendering support.
•    Provide introductions and networking opportunities with existing and newindustry buyers.
•    Gather and disseminate national and international market intelligence regarding new product and market
developments and opportunities.
•    Provide implementation support for development of health, safety, quality, environmental, personnel
management systems and sector specific consultancy where necessary.
•    Identify and support working cluster groups to facilitate growth, development and networking.
•    Develop a website that provides online information including a directory promoting member/client
companies, alerts clients to industry news, events, opportunities, factsheets and links with other website portals that may
provide tendering opportunities and industry advice.
•    Identifying those businesses with real growth potential which may also benefit from signposting to or
referring into sourcing programmes and core growth support projects.

Email Address: cheaton@pbi.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South West Wales Convergence Areas

Organisation Core Business: PBI (Pembrokeshire Business Initiative) is now in its 25th year of providing quality and professional business advice and support.
Together with its subsidiary, encompass consulting, we have strong access to the market and high enquiry levels across a variety of sectors, particularly in Pembrokeshire and South West Wales. In order to help our clients face the demands and challenges of an ever changing business environment, we have built up a highly trained and accredited team of 30 advisers, consultants and support staff. We provide a comprehensive range of business support and consultancy services including start-up advice, business and financial planning, marketing advice and strategies, eCommerce reviews, E-Business and ICT consultancy, supply chain management advice, organising business events and networking opportunities, together with dedicated support for social enterprises and those working within or supplying to the energy industry. We also have expertise of working within particular sectors including tourism and leisure, social and community enterprises, engineering and energy related industries. More information about the Energize programme and its activities can be found on www.energizewales.com

Who will be involved in delivering the project: PBI/Encompass business development advisers and specialist consultants who have experience of working within the energy industry supply chain and delivering European projects. Other external consultants may be involved in delivery as appropriate and required.
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Eligible SMEs with the potential to grow and develop in this market.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All of the South West Wales Convergence areas – counties of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Providing support, advice and assistance to 100 SMEs

What might be the results of the project: Approximately 250 new jobs created. Businesses adopting or improving Environmental Management Systems: 10

What would its impact be: Jobs created, increase in turnover

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 Years

Estimated Cost: £410 k over 3 years

Where might the match funding come from: Match funding would include client contributions towards certain elements e.g. market research and information, consultancy
support, networking events with underpinning by project partners. We
would also seek funding support from the Welsh Assembly Government.

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 02/01/08

Organisation Name: University of Newport

Project Description: Project Objective: SPEED (Student Placement in Enterprise for Education) Cymru will encourage more undergraduate economic, social and community entrepreneurship which will lead to a new generation of undergraduate enterprises, creating much needed new and high value-added business.

Scope: In the past, interventions have been made only after graduation to help a graduate business idea off the ground. This proposal intends that the point of intervention is made earlier in the process and builds intrinsic links between enterprise, entrepreneurship, employability and education by providing undergraduates ultimately, with the opportunity to experience running their own business in a ‘self employed’ placement over a period of 36 weeks (2 semesters).

This would be done through a progressive route of initiatives to encourage controlled risk taking, allowing would-be entrepreneurs to test and prove their concepts within a supported environment. The aim is to embed an entrepreneurial culture into the Higher Education environment in order to contribute an increasing flow of knowledge based businesses to the Welsh Economy through:

• PRE-Start Up: Enterprise in Education Initiatives would be organised, which would include workshops on SANE (Starting a new enterprise) accredited module, events and guest speakers in line with University core activities for enterprise – i.e. build capacity of Enterprise Clubs which would run in tandem to stimulate demand for the competition.

• PRE-Start Up: ‘Who wants to be an Entrepreneur?’ Annual Competition – This Entrepreneurship challenge will stimulate knowledge and ideas already developed in the AR events through submission of an outline business plan to a two stage competition designed to inspire and generate new high growth businesses. The challenge will ultimately promote the best project ideas to compete for monetary awards based on business concept and eligibility criteria. The competition will run in tandem with the Spin out programme to generate new business ideas.

•    Start Up: Spin Out programme – As an expansion of the existing Wales
Spin Out programme, undergraduates would be encouraged to seek advice for their business plan as part of the competition. The spin out package would provide basic finance and guidance to physically setting up the new enterprise and would also facilitate contacts with business support agencies, professional advisors such as accountants, bankers and solicitors as well as rent-free space, basic market research and general support. Output: New Start Up.

•    POST Start Up: SPEED – In order to put all the acquired know-how into
practice during the first year, after setting up their new enterprise, students would actually embark on a 36 week placement in ‘self employment’
The typical route of the SPEED beneficiary would be as part of a four-year degree course to elect to undertake the ‘self-employed’
placement as their sandwich option rather than industrial placement option in their third year. However, in order to remain inclusive, the placement could also be undertaken as a deferred year or part time depending on participant circumstances.

Email Address: Karen.turnbull@newport.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The main deliverers of the initiatives – The Welsh HEI’s across the Competitiveness regions as well as support and assistance for various elements of the initiatives - Business Support Agencies, DE&T and a Bank

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries of the project will be:
*Undergraduates at all of the partner Universities involved * The Welsh Economy

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All Spatial areas that are covered in the Competitiveness region

What might the outputs(activity measures): PRE START UP: Enterprise in Education Initiatives/Who wants to be an entrepreneur? Competition - * Participants involved in awareness raising activities, * Increased knowledge and confidence to want to start up a new enterprise, * Individuals assisted to set up a new enterprise - START UP: Spin Out Programme - * Individuals assisted to set up a new enterprise, * Individuals financially supported to set up a new enterprise - POST START UP: SPEED - * Placements completed, * Enterprises assisted, * Enterprises financially supported

What might be the results of the project: * X participants attended event/gained qualification, * X Number of Enterprises created, * X Gross jobs created, * X Number of placements undertaken

What would its impact be: * Graduates will be more likely to stay in a region where they have successfully started a business, thereby giving long term economic, social and community benefit and value to all, * X new enterprises created, spanning all areas of Wales, representing a range of activities spread across many key strategic sectors, * Strengthened capacity of HE core activities for Enterprise in Education and an embedded culture of entrepreneurship in the HE sector for future sustainability, * A viable mechanism that take undergraduates through the Pre to Post stages of starting a new enterprise

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This is a large scale strategic project to be rolled out across all Welsh HEI’s. The need for strategic, complementary interventions across the Convergence and Competitiveness programmes will be developed in line with thematic and spatial frameworks

Estimated Cost: Estimated £10 million over 7 years

Where might the match funding come from: Project partners, HEFCW, Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG), Sponsorship

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 21/12/07

Organisation Name: University of Glamorgan

Project Description: Project Objective: SPEED (Student Placement in Enterprise for Education) Cymru will encourage more undergraduate economic, social and community entrepreneurship which will lead to a new generation of undergraduate enterprises, creating much needed new and high value-added business.

Scope: In the past, interventions have been made only after graduation to help a graduate business idea off the ground. This proposal intends that the point of intervention is made earlier in the process and builds intrinsic links between enterprise, entrepreneurship, employability and education by providing undergraduates ultimately, with the opportunity to experience running their own business in a ‘self employed’ placement over a period of 36 weeks (2 semesters).

This would be done through a progressive route of initiatives to encourage controlled risk taking, allowing would-be entrepreneurs to test and prove their concepts within a supported environment. The aim is to embed an entrepreneurial culture into the Higher Education environment in order to contribute an increasing flow of knowledge based businesses to the Welsh Economy through:

•PRE-Start Up: Enterprise in Education Initiatives would be organised, which would include workshops on SANE (Starting a new enterprise) accredited module, events and guest speakers in line with University core activities for enterprise – i.e. build capacity of Enterprise Clubs which would run in tandem to stimulate demand for the competition.

•PRE-Start Up: ‘Who wants to be an Entrepreneur?’ Annual Competition – This Entrepreneurship challenge will stimulate knowledge and ideas already developed in the AR events through submission of an outline business plan to a two stage competition designed to inspire and generate new high growth businesses. The challenge will ultimately promote the best project ideas to compete for monetary awards based on business concept and eligibility criteria. The competition will run in tandem with the Spin out programme to generate new business ideas.

•Start Up: Spin Out programme – As an expansion of the existing Wales Spin Out programme, undergraduates would be encouraged to seek advice for their business plan as part of the competition. The spin out package would provide basic finance and guidance to physically setting up the new enterprise and would also facilitate contacts with business support agencies, professional advisors such as accountants, bankers and solicitors as well as rent-free space, basic market research and general support. Output: New Start Up.

•POST Start Up: SPEED – In order to put all the acquired know-how into practice during the first year, after setting up their new enterprise, students would actually embark on a 36 week placement in ‘self employment’
The typical route of the SPEED beneficiary would be as part of a four-year degree course to elect to undertake the ‘self-employed’
placement as their sandwich option rather than industrial placement option in their third year. However, in order to remain inclusive, the placement could also be undertaken as a deferred year or part time depending on participant circumstances.

Email Address: mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales and the Valleys

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer
Who will be involved in delivering the project: The main deliverers of the project would be all the seven Welsh HEI’s across the convergence region

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries of the project will be undergraduates at all of the partner Universities involved and the Welsh Economy

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All spatial areas in the Convergence region

What might the outputs(activity measures): PRE START UP: Enterprise in Education Initiatives/Who wants to be an entrepreneur? Competition: * Participants involved in awareness raising activities, * Increased knowledge and confidence to want to start up a new enterprise, * Individuals assisted to set up a new enterprise - START UP: Spin Out Programme: * Individuals assisted to set up a new enterprise, * Individuals financially supported to set up a new enterprise - POST START UP: SPEED: * Placements completed, * Enterprises assisted, * Enterprises financially supported
What might be the results of the project: X participants attended event/gained qualification, X Number of Enterprises created, X Gross jobs created, X Number of placements undertaken

What would its impact be: * •    Graduates will be more likely to stay in a region where
they have successfully started a business, thereby giving long term
economic, social and community benefit and value to all, * •    X new
enterprises created, spanning all areas of Wales, representing a range of
activities spread across many key strategic sectors, * •    Strengthened
capacity of HE core activities for Enterprise in Education and an embedded culture of entrepreneurship in the HE sector for future sustainability,
* •    A viable mechanism that take undergraduates through the Pre to Post
stages of starting a new enterprise

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This is a large scale strategic project to be rolled out across all Welsh HEI’s. The need for strategic, complementary interventions across the Convergence and Competitiveness programmes will be developed in line with thematic and spatial frameworks
Estimated Cost: Estimated £18 million over 7 years - (Including 10% ESF flexibility allowance for the training and awareness raising activities stated, which is complementary to the successful implementation of the ERDF funded activities)

Where might the match funding come from: Project partners, HEFCW, Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG), Sponsorship

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