The annual event, organised by Harborough District Council, is an opportunity for organisations in the Harborough district to gain ideas and solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.

It is also a chance for businesses to find out more information about green grants available to them through the council.

The free event takes place at Foxton Village Hall on Wednesday 12 June 2024, from 9.30am-2pm. Pre-booking for the event is required, and breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The Economic Development Strategy is being updated following the completion of the 2018-2023 "Harnessing Harborough" strategy.

A new draft strategy covering 2024-2031 is in progress. Your input is sought to shape priorities, actions and focus.

Download the emerging Economic Development Strategy and its Evidence Review Paper for review and comments.

Themed stakeholder Face2Face workshops in June 2024 offer an opportunity for local stakeholders, businesses and organisations to contribute to the plan's development.

• Workshop 1: Place making, town centres, tourism - June 3 2024, 10:30am-12pm

• Workshop 2: Business, Skills & Enterprise; Rural, Transport & Infrastructure - June 4 2024, 11am-12:30pm

Contact us to reserve your place at a workshop or to ask any questions.

Market Harborough's Job Fair returns on 21 May 2024. 

This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to meet potential employers for a more informal recruitment process.

If you are interested in reserving a spot at the job fair, please get in touch.  

Businesses passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent and eager to give back to the community while building their brand as an employer of choice, still have time to get involved in a work experience programme. Hosted at the Harborough Innovation Centre from July 1 to 5, the programme seeks businesses willing to offer valuable real-world experience to aspiring professionals.

Limited spots are available for this opportunity to invest in the future workforce and shape the next generation of business leaders at Harborough Innovation Centre.

Ways to be involved include supporting work experience placements by running sessions with them throughout the week, and joining a special networking event on Thursday, July 4, at the Harborough Innovation Centre, organised and hosted by the students.

To get involved, businesses are encouraged to contact the team at business@harborough.gov.uk.

This grant scheme invites applications from businesses and organisations providing arts, creative, heritage and cultural activities for public participation in rural areas of Harborough District. 

The scope of the grant is to enhance existing and new visitor activities by investment in capital development projects. 

Eligible organisations can apply for a minimum of £5000 grant funding up to a maximum of £20,000 with 10% of total project cost required by match funding.

The grants are being managed and distributed by Harborough District Council using funding received from the government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund which is an extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. 

Before you apply, please read the guidance for the fund including eligibility criteria. 

Applications close on 26 July 2024. 

A chance meeting at a Harborough Innovation Centre Spotlight networking event sparked a collaboration between former rugby player Tim Stimpson and Hedkayse, a company known for their innovative cycle helmets. Together, they have developed a revolutionary headguard approved by World Rugby. With a 75% reduction in impact, it aims to protect players' brain health amidst concerns about repetitive head injuries. This partnership highlights the power of collaboration in advancing safety technology for sports worldwide.

This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration among innovative businesses and entrepreneurs. To find out about future Harborough Innovation Spotlight network events and other business support, reach out today.

Future events are scheduled for:

• Wednesday 12 June

• Tuesday 17 September

• Tuesday 29 October

The showground has confirmed that the Light and Life Church Convention will be held from Saturday 20 July to Friday 26 July 2024.

Although the event will be on private land, with private event management, and no licenses or permissions are required to be applied for or granted by the council, the leader of Harborough District Council invites you to attend a meeting to discuss any questions you may have in respect of this event.

The council has also invited representatives from Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, the event organisers and Market Harborough Showground.

The meeting will be held on Thursday 6t June in the Council Chamber, The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street. Please arrive from 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start.

This invitation extends to one proprietor per business only.

Please email leader@harborough.gov.uk if you wish to attend.

High Performance Computing (HPC) Innovation Voucher

£5,000 vouchers are available through the "High-Performance Computing Voucher" scheme for companies to access outstanding HPC capabilities, with applications closing on May 17 2024.The HPC platforms include Scafell Pike and Jade 2. Eligible businesses in these sectors can leverage computing capabilities worth £5,000 to enhance performance, productivity and time to market and benchmark their systems for efficiency.

New Innovators in Communications Networks (NICN) 2024

Innovate UK is also offering UK micro and small businesses up to £500,000 in grants, plus tailored business support from Innovate UK Business Growth. The competition aims to help these businesses to develop adoptable and investable innovations within communication networks. Innovations should be ahead of current options or propose a novel use of existing ones, including new business models.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) £7.4 million pilot scheme subsidises AI training for SMEs in professional business services, with £6.4 million available in grants. Businesses can get up to 50% funding for AI skills training until 31 May.

The programme aims to boost UK GDP by 10.3% by 2030 by addressing AI skills gaps hindering adoption, especially in smaller businesses. It tests if government funding encourages AI upskilling and if improved skills lead to increased AI use and productivity.

Objectives include stimulating employer investment in AI training, addressing skills gaps and measuring the impact of AI upskilling on business productivity. Apply by 31 May.