SMARTCymru provides grant funding to help you through the key steps of the innovation journey:

• Technical  and commercial feasibility - to assess the viability of turning innovative ideas into new products, processes or technologies
• Industrial research - practical research to help prove the concept 
• Pre-competitive development or design and development - to develop and test a prototype or pilot scale process 
• Design and Development - development of a pre-production prototype that is at least novel to the applicant and crucially has the potential for considerable commercial benefit. 
• Exploitation - to assist with commercial exploitation costs if you have used one or more of the other funding mechanisms

Funding is available to individuals and companies of all sizes that are located in Wales.

Funding body - Welsh Assembly Government
For More details click here

The Technology Exploitation Programme provides practical assistance and funding for companies to take full advantage of new technology:

• Grants of up to £10,000 are available to part-fund the purchase of technology expertise and equipment.
• The programme is open to companies with fewer than 250 staff or have an annual turnover below 40m Euros or a balance sheet not exceeding 27m Euros.
• There are two project categories - Investment, to purchase new technology, and Collaboration for the acquisition of technology services and expertise.

The scheme encourages SME’s and individuals to access professional advice on Intellectual Property. Grants are offered at 50% of costs incurred up to maximum limits. The grant funding can be used to cover both the Patent Agents fees and the Patent Office fees. We would not provide any funding to someone who wanted to file their own claims.

For further details, contact Mark Lewis, Tel: 029 2036 8427. Or alternatively call the Wales Innovators Network Helpline on 029 2036 8272 and they can put you in contact with an ITC in your area.

If your business operates beyond the local market and you need help to undertake good quality investment projects in Wales, you may be able to access financial support through the Single Investment Fund (SIF).

The Single Investment Fund (SIF) can assist businesses of all sizes with start-up, expansion, modernisation, restructuring or to develop new products, processes or services.

The entry level of support for capital investment projects is £5,001. There is no lower limit for revenue support. Businesses meeting the necessary qualifying criteria may receive a tailored package of support developed in partnership with a dedicated relationship manager.

To express an interest in applying for support from the Single Investment Fund, please visit the website and complete one of the online forms listed.

Funding body - Welsh Assembly Government
For More details click here