Organisations based in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside join those across the region eligible to access fully-funded university expertise and facilities to support innovation projects.
Innovation support programme Arrow which connects businesses with specialist knowledge, facilities and research expertise from the region’s universities is now available to help even more organisations across the North East.
Organisations based in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside join businesses in Newcastle, North Tyneside, County Durham and Northumberland as eligible for Arrow’s fully-funded innovation support, thanks to renewed funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement.
Delivered in partnership by Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland, Arrow provides bespoke, innovation projects designed to help organisations develop innovative new products, services and processes.
Since launching, the programme has supported more than 300 businesses across the North East, helping them overcome barriers to innovation by connecting them with academic expertise and specialist facilities from across the four universities.
“It’s fantastic news that Arrow will now be able to support innovation projects of businesses from across the entire North East Mayoral Strategic Authority area.”
Richard Baker. Director of Economic Development and Commercialisation at Durham University
Through Arrow, businesses are matched with the most relevant expertise across the partner universities and supported by a dedicated innovation associate, who guides each project from initial concept through to completion.
Support can include research and development expertise, proof-of-concept testing, access to specialist facilities, and insights from leading academics – helping businesses accelerate innovation and unlock new opportunities.
“Arrow simplifies the process for businesses to access universities. It enables organisations to test-drive collaboration with universities, helping them to access the expertise and facilities needed to bring innovative ideas to life.”
Estelle Blanks, Director of Newcastle Innovations at Newcastle University
The programme is open to organisations of all sizes working on innovative ideas or challenges, across any sector, provided they are based in Tyne and Wear, County Durham or Northumberland.
Arrow offers access to a wide range of specialist expertise across its partner universities, supporting businesses requiring specialist advice in data science and AI; culture and creative knowledge; digital, business and process innovation; sustainable manufacturing; green energy; life sciences; advanced materials and engineering.
Whether organisations are looking to develop new products, improve processes or unlock insights from data, Arrow connects them with the right academic expertise and facilities to help bring their ideas to life.
Organisations that have previously worked with Arrow can also apply again, provided their new project represents a significant development or new innovation.
By continuing to break down barriers between academia and industry, Arrow helps to drive growth, support job creation and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.
To discuss how Arrow can support your business in its next stage of innovation get in touch.
