Business ideas for sharing - 6 October 2024

Welcome to your weekly round-up of business ideas, curated by Business Writers Ltd. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your network because it might inspire others.

Here you'll find stories relevant to our region, such as developments in digital creativity, technology, renewable energy, urban sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.

You'll also get news of networking events and funding competitions that can help the enterprise ecosystem in Norfolk and Suffolk thrive.

Plus Jobs: when we find them, we'll share local opportunities - scroll to the end to see the latest.

1) Launch event: connecting UK industry to opportunities in space

The European Space Agency's Technology Broker for the UK will hold its launch event on 15 October 2024 at the head office of TWI Group (The Welding Institute) on Granta Park, Cambridge. This event, co-organised with Space East and NAAME, is open to UK companies looking to expand into the space industry. It will bring together key industry players, including representatives from the UK Space Agency, ESA Business Incubation Centres, and the Satellite Applications Catapult. Details and booking here: ESA Technology Broker UK Launch Event.

2) New business hub opens in Norwich

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce celebrated the official opening of their new business hub on Tuesday 1 October. Based at Hardwick House in the centre of Norwich, the hub offers meeting spaces and 36 workspaces for day and half-day hire, including 6 'rise and fall' desks. More details including prices here: Norfolk Chambers Business Hub.

3) New toolkit to help councils embrace clean energy

‘Navigating the Net Zero Energy Transition: A toolkit for local authorities’ is specifically for elected leaders, cabinet members, and officers. In it, the UK Power Networks’ Distribution System Operator and the UK100 local government climate network provide practical information and case studies to help councils deliver Net Zero locally. More here: Toolkit launched to help councils with clean energy ambitions - Opergy Group.

4) Find out how to expand your tech business into the USA

FREE event hosted by Connected Innovation at BT's Adastral Park science campus. Aimed at ambitious scaleups and established companies looking to break into the tech market in the USA. More details and booking here: Taking your Tech to the USA, Mon 11 Nov 2024 at 13:30.

5) Cambridge ranked #1 science and technological cluster in the world

The World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO has released its Global Innovation Index for 2024. This captures the performance of innovation ecosystems in 133 economies and tracks global innovation trends. For the third year running it has ranked Cambridge as "the world’s leading science and technological cluster by intensity, in relation to its size". More details in this article: Cambridge continues to be the most intensive science and technological cluster in the world – Cambridge Enterprise.

6) Could Norwich City Hall become a luxury hotel?

According to ITV News Anglia, Norwich City Council is looking at developing parts of its headquarters as offices, residential apartments or even a luxury hotel. The council is apparently "developing feasibility and concepts and are not just assuming what the public will want, as the project is at a much earlier stage than that." More on this story here: Hotel plans revealed for Norwich's City Hall as council looks to raise ￡9.5m | ITV News Anglia.

7) Innovate UK Regional Investment Spotlight – East of England

Special in-person event for the East of England's investment ecosystem. Particularly relevant to business and angel investors, and venture capital funds that are investing in or looking for high growth opportunities. It aims to encourage collaborative discussion of the challenges and opportunities for innovative businesses looking to scale in the region. Details and booking here: Innovate UK Regional Investment Spotlight – East of England.

8) Business networking in Ipswich - 25 November 2024

An in-person event for people looking to connect, collaborate, and gain insights that can help grow their business. Ipswich Business Networking | LinkedIn.

PLUS Jobs

Our occasional round-up of interesting roles in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge:

• Senior Business Development Advisor | Mills & Reeve
• Commercialisation Manager | Earlham Institute
• [Your offer of a great career opportunity could go here.]

"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." - Mary Oliver

We hope you find these updates interesting and useful.

Please share with your network and post your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading,

Huw

Chief Engagement Officer

Bonus content

To find innovation hubs and clusters across Norfolk and Suffolk, follow Connected Innovation.

For inward investment and business relocation advice, contact Norfolk and Suffolk Unlimited.

PS: Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn or at Business Writers Ltd Ltd.