Calling innovators
Enterprise Europe and the EU are inviting SME’s to respond to a short survey: Call for Ideas, open until 29th April 2016.
Europe’s economic performance and job creation depends on the ability to translate the creativity and inventiveness of European citizens and entrepreneurs into world-winning products and services. At present, Europe lags behind some of our key international competitors in generating the kind of disruptive, market-creating innovations which are needed to secure Europe’s future prosperity.
With this in mind, the European Commission is keen
Innovate UK invests £561 million to back cutting-edge UK firms
Innovate UK is to invest £561 million in innovation over the next 12 months and take a more focused and efficient approach to supporting innovative UK companies. The delivery plan for the year 2016 to 2017 includes:
a new sector focus that is easier for industry, investors and government to work with
a 5-point plan to underpin activity across these sectors and drive productivity growth
clearer funding programmes that are easier to navigate
improvements to the way Innovate UK connects businesses to knowledge and
Employers of young apprentices will no longer pay National Insurance contributions
Employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices aged under 25 years have been abolished.
Employers of young apprentices are set to save thousands of pounds after the government abolished employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 years of age.
The change, which came into effect on 6 April 2016, will make hiring an apprentice even better value for employers across the country.
This exemption will apply to both existing employers with apprentices and those taking on a new apprentice.
Skills Minister Nick Boles said:
We’re
Humber Business Week Programme of Events
Humber Business Week 5th June to 10th June over 50 events to choose from.
Now in its 12th year, Humber Business Week (Biz Week) showcases the wealth of talent, entrepreneurship, vision and future potential of our region through a diverse programme of events which both inspire and educate.From high-profile keynote speakers, expos, conferences, workshops, tours, celebration receptions – and of course the odd networking breakfast and lunch – Europe’s longest established festival of business has grown year on year since being
FSB Newsletter 8th April 2016
The latest South & East Yorkshire FSB Newsletter is now available. The array of issues addressed in this week’s edition includes:
Business in the Spotlight returns for a networking spectacular!
Breaking Barriers – free export event
STEM Employer Open Evening at Barnsley College
East Yorkshire Local Food Network’s spring event: ‘Feeding minds and bodies’
Sheffield conference: Making history for a successful city
Free Business Sheffield information sessions April – June
Business leaders meet to discuss ‘what’s next for Doncaster’
Supersonic car to be star attraction
Competition opens to host Great
Keeping your people with significant control (PSC) register
From 6 April 2016 companies, LLPs and SEs need to keep a register of their ‘people with significant control’.
The next measure of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act comes into force on 6 April 2016.
You now need to start keeping a register of your people with significant control (PSC).
A PSC is someone in your company who:
owns more than 25% of the company’s shares
holds more than 25% of the company’s voting rights
holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
has
Startup competition for young entrepreneurs with a chance to win £10,000
The startup competition for 14-25 year old entrepreneurs
Have you got a brilliant idea for an app, a game, or a technology business?
Thanks to sponsor TalkTalk, Founders Forum is offering 5 young bright superstar UK-based entrepreneurs (individuals or teams) the chance to win £10,000 to help develop their business idea- no strings attached.
In June 2016 some of the world’s most influential technology entrepreneurs will be gathering in London. The F Factor is your chance to pitch them YOUR idea.
You don’t need
Business Bank promises cash injection for small firms
British Business Bank Investment, the commercial arm of the government-owned British Business Bank, has agreed to provide a facility of up to £5m to Liberis to support finance for small businesses.
Liberis estimates that the investment will support funding to over 2,000 small businesses this year alone. The British Business Bank was set up with the aim of supporting economic growth in the UK by making finance markets for smaller businesses work more effectively.
The facility will enable Liberis, the UK’s first
Have you got what it takes to help a young entrepreneur?
Businesses in Hull are being urged to support young entrepreneurs by becoming business mentors.
Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and Hull City Council are looking for businesses to take part in a mentoring programme to encourage aspiring young people to start their own businesses.
Young entrepreneurs benefit greatly from the support of business mentors who play a crucial part in the development and success of their company, and it also gives mentors an opportunity to be recognised for the work they are doing
Apprenticeship Levy – How will it work
The purpose of the apprenticeship levy is to fund an increase in the number and quality of apprenticeships.
The government announced the levy in the Summer Budget 2015. In the 2015 Autumn Statement the government provided details of who it would apply to and how much the rate would be. The Government held a public consultation on how the levy should work in practice. Legislation will be introduced in 2016 to create the apprenticeship levy through the Finance and Enterprise Bills.
The apprenticeship