Cluster Name: Kendal ICT Cluster

Cluster Area: Kendal

Cluster History:
The Kendal ICT Cluster formed in February 2008 and is a new concept for the area's ICT companies. The number of members is growing fast and those attending have given very positive comments about the speakers and the relevance to their businesses.

Cluster Skills Set:
Anyone working in software design, web development, digital design or marketing should make every effort to take part in these not to be missed events. The speakers are normally experts in their field and either from industry or academia.

Cluster Resources

Local Business Funding (South Lakeland and Cumbria)

• South Lakeland District Council Business Support Programmes
• Kendal Employment Development Fund. This funding was closed in July 2009 with the remaining balances transferred to other programmes.

Regional Business Funding (North West)

• NWDA Support for North West Businesses
• Further information on Innovation, research and development grants (NWDA Website)

Central Government Programmes

• Innovation, research and development grants (Business Link Website)
• Business Link Grantfinder
• The Key - Public Sector Procurement. Aimed at SMEs who have innovative products and solutions to promote them across the Public Sector.
• Business Rates Deferral Scheme

Technology Strategy Board announces new competitions for funding

The Technology Strategy Board is pleased to announce the opening of the September 09 competition for funding which open on 1st September 2009.

The competitions in this phase will cover:

• Beacons – a £1M feasibility studies competition in the Technology Inspired area. The competition will invest in a number of feasibility studies for projects lasting up to three months attracting a grant of up to £25k (constituting up to 75% of total project costs). Projects may be collaborative or single-company. Priority areas are: Advanced Materials, Biosciences, Electronics, Photonics and Electrical Systems, High Value Manufacturing, Information & Communications Technology and nanotechnology. This competition will only be open to businesses with 50 employees or fewer.
• Digital Britain – a £2M feasibility studies competition in the Challenge Led area. The competition will invest in a number of feasibility studies for projects lasting up to three months attracting a grant of up to £25k (constituting up to 75% of total project costs). Projects may be collaborative or single-company. Priority areas are: Enabling Technologies for the Internet, Applications and Services for Digital Britain, Access to Public Service Information and Cost-effective deployment and operation of digital infrastructure. This competition will be open to businesses with 250 employees or fewer.

Competition documents, forms and information will be available from 1st September 2009 via the competition extranet. Should you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the competition helpline on 01355 272 155 or e-mail competitions@tsb.gov.uk

London 2012 Olympics

• CompeteFor Portal - Register online for London 2010 opportunities

Cluster Member Links

• Cumbria Film Alliance (Facebook Group)

Group Information

Do you use Linked In? Join our Linked In group by clicking on the button below:

This page was last updated by Andrew Armitage on 3rd September 2009.

Average Meeting Frequency: Every month

Meeting Location: Kendal College

Current Chairperson: Andrew Armitage, Armitage Online Solutions
Business Link (Kendal Cluster Group Champion): David Low, Digital & Creative Broker Business Link Northwest

	Contact: Andrew Armitage Armitage Online Solutions M: +44 (0) 7815 869171 E: andrew@armitage-online.co.uk
	Contact: David Low Digital & Creative Broker Business Link Northwest M: +44 (0) 7917 000132 E: david.low@businesslinknw.co.uk
David Low is the BLNW Digital and Creative Sector Broker for Kendal. He has 13 years professional IT experience working on IT and website projects for Safeway Stores, Woolworths and RAC. He has 3 years working experience as IT adviser in Business Link and 3 years working experience as Business Adviser/Broker in Business Link. His main areas of expertise include website design, IT project management, IT infrastructure and software development.