Meet the Partner: Solent LEP
James Ford, Head of Enterprise and Skills at Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, explains how his organisation is planning to present its vision for the Solent in 2050 at this year’s Venturefest South – with the aim of creating new collaborations to reach its goal.
By 2050, we want the Solent region to be the globally leading maritime cluster.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s vision is to put the Solent at the forefront of innovations to adapt to climate change, with towns and cities that are fantastic places to live, trade and with opportunities for all our communities to flourish.
It’s a compelling ambition which we believe is achievable – and this is why we are supporting the local entrepreneurial eco-system. The new relationships and collaborations we make at events such as Venturefest South will help us to achieve our goal for the region.
We’re hoping to talk to dynamic innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs who have the following qualities.
We want to meet people who:
- Are unique and push the boundaries;
- Align to the regional strategic plan Solent 2050;
- Fix and solve problems;
- Are creative but realistic;
- Have the ability to listen and collaborate.
The LEP’s Business Support team (Growth Hub) are able to advise and search for funding and finance options for innovators, at a local, regional and international level giving them unlimited access through our relationship with Grant Finder. In addition, the Solent LEP has direct funding opportunities available including loans and grants.
My advice to early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators is to ‘Be brave and push boundaries, but reach out and ask for help.’
Solent LEP is currently establishing a Maritime Innovation hub alongside industry partners to support research and development into pioneering marine and maritime innovations, as well as establishing Solent Freeport which will create more than 32,000 new jobs and unlock £1.35 billion private sector investment.
The LEP has made significant investments around innovation and pioneering approaches to climate change adaptation and decarbonisation and is working with partners to develop an integrated transport strategy and accelerate the rollout of next generation technology.
Finally, Solent LEP is delivering world class employer led training facilities to enable our residents and students to continue to push boundaries and keep the Solent at the forefront of internationally known innovation.
Get in contact with us https://solentlep.org.uk/contact-us-1
