Index

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Innovation vouchers in the West Midlands the
INDEX voucher scheme2. Operational Lessons
Dr Judy Scully Aston Business
School j.w.scully_at_aston.ac.uk
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Overview

• INDEX INnovation Delivers Expansion
• 220 Innovation Vouchers with a value of 3,000
  each
• (40 vouchers, 100 vouchers, 80 vouchers)
• SMEs defining innovation needs truly demand-led
• Random selection
• SME winners select HEI academic of choice
• Aston University enables choice of academic
  between SMEs and the 13 HEIs in the West Midlands

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A strong supply-side
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And a keen demand-side .

• Pilot phase round 1 40 vouchers, 212
  applications, 165 eligible, now all completed
• Phase 2 100 vouchers, 196 Applications, 169
  eligible
• Phase 3 ERDF 80 vouchers, 192 Applications, 168
  eligible

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The INDEX process

• Index Advice Team monitors progress and
  communicates throughout the procedures- Advice
  Line- e-mail enquires and web site
  www.indexvouchers.org
• On-line application form
• If demand exceeds supply winners selected
  randomly
• Communication with successful/ unsuccessful
  applicants
• Voucher winners details sent to HEIs
• Identification of academics from HEIs
• SME Choice of academic
• Work Undertaken
• Voucher claimed/ VAT paid by company

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Examples of Voucher Innovation

• Reduce water consumption during energy processing
• Develop optical fibres for use in the
  telecommunications industry
• Production of bio-diesel
• Stomach content analysis for crime solving
• Device aimed at preventing fuel theft from
  vehicles
• Reduction of Co2 emissions from vehicles
• Improved wigs for cancer patients
• Digital health and safety learning support for
  rural business
• Aid to enable disabled people to take part in
  canoeing
• Improved consistency of concrete mix to save
  power

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External Evaluation

• Ecotec conducted external evaluation
• Overall very positive
• SMEs are satisfied with the work undertaken and
  would work with a university again
• Approximately half of the companies had worked
  previously with a university but 70 of those
  worked with a new university to service the
  voucher
• Need to recruit more SMEs in the Shropshire
  area-more targeted marketing

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The future INDEX

• AWM/ERDF funding for two years 2009/2011 in
  conjunction with the clusters
• Align with MAS and Business Link as part of the
  Business Simplification Process
• Working with Graduate Advantage and the Learning
  and Skills Council
• Social Enterprise Innovation Vouchers?
• Cluster vouchers?
• Vouchers towards mini KTPs?

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Critical Success Factors

• Advice Centre Team support for demand and supply
  side
• Trust from Partner Universities- academic supply
  /help with ERDF etc and
• Working ethically and collaborating as a
  partnership with other business schemes and
  agencies