Three Cumbrian businesses have won grants totalling nearly £70,000 to help them on the road to future success.
The £67,092 from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) is expected to unlock a further £153,165 of investment in decarbonisation and investment by the businesses.
Kombineer Ltd, Brathay Trust and We Are Digital – are the latest beneficiaries of the CLEP’s ‘Innovating for Success’ grant. Since it was launched in September 2022, thirty others have had a share of the £1 million grant pot.
In the North Lakes, Kombineer Ltd, near Bassenthwaite, will use a grant of £23,670, to further develop JointEffort.io, a software platform for discovering the capabilities of specialist engineering and technology organisations.
Rob Hankin and David Brookes, (main picture) Kombineer’s co-founders, say: “We are delighted that CLEP has chosen to back the ambitious vision we have for JointEffort.io. The grant comes at a great time for us as a Cumbrian technology start-up. We are now working with organisations across the region and beyond and, over the next few months, will be moving out of development and into our launch phase.We will increase our use of AI along with features to support engaging with international markets. Helping organisations to discover new opportunities, connect and innovate – across communities, industries and places.”
In the South Lakes Brathay, will use its grant of £18,422 to replace single-glazed windows at its outdoor centre, Brathay Hall. It helps meets total costs of £55,825 for the work to the Georgian manor house on the shores of Windermere. Brathay delivers life-changing community programmes and outdoor residentials for children and young people in need across Cumbria. The Hall is used for a range of income generating activities to support the charity’s programmes. “The CLEP grant not only helps to future-proof an historic building, vital to Brathay’s existence, but also supports the charity’s commitment to save energy and improve sustainability,” says CEO, Teresa Jennings.
A Kendal based full service digital agency, We Are Digital, is using their innovation grant of £25,000 towards a £50,000 project to develop affordable digital marketing packages for hospitality and retail businesses. It will help SMEs create a website, digital strategy and offer marketing advice and training. The aim, says founder Gareth O’Rourke, is to give them the tools, knowledge and support to succeed and to grow their business. The project has also created two extra jobs at We Are Digital.
Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of the Cumbria LEP, said: “It is great to be supporting three more businesses through our Innovating for Success programme. We launched it to help small and medium sized business across Cumbria to invest in innovation or decarbonisation projects. I am delighted that the grant encouraged further investment by the three business to deliver on their respective priorities.
Grants are split into two areas:
- Innovation: Maximum grants of up to £50,000 to part fund initiatives that turn new ideas into commercially viable and deliverable propositions.
- Carbon reduction: Maximum grants of up to £20,000 to part fund practical projects that will help businesses reduce energy usage or increase renewable energy production.
Independent economic assessment completed for the LEP has confirmed that over a 10-year period, the Innovating for Success investments will deliver an additional £37million of economic growth, create an additional ninety-seven full time equivalent jobs and save over 4,160 tonnes of CO2.
For more information about CLEP and its support for business visit https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/
