BIG GROWTH: INNOVATION PROGRAMMES
A fully funded programme of innovation support for South London-based enterprises.
Programme overview
The BIG Growth: Innovation Programmes have been designed to support your next growth goal.
How? By bespoke collaborations with leading academics from London South Bank University (LSBU).
With an impressive track record of innovative tech and business solutions, LSBU can help you develop a product/service, carry out research, evaluate concepts, secure investment, develop a circular economy solution, and much more.
There are five innovation programmes available and you could be eligible to join more than one.
Click a link to find out more or register for a programme:
Looking for a workshop?
Check out the latest options:
SMEs on the road to net zero: practical steps and strategies | Wednesday 22 January 2025
Embedding metrics and measurements into your business processes | Tuesday 28 January 2025
Programme journey
During each programme, you will have the opportunity to apply for an academic collaboration with experts from across LSBU.
We will work with you to determine the scope of your collaboration and offer one-to-one sessions with academic mentors and subject matter experts. You will also have regular progress meetings with the BIG project management team.
Meetings will take place online or in person at LSBU's Southwark Campus, conveniently located in the heart of London.
Who can take part?
This programme is open to start-ups, established businesses, social enterprises, and charities in the following London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, and Wandsworth.
Digital Health and Wellbeing
This unique opportunity supports enterprises to access high-quality expertise at a world-leading level on a fully funded basis.
Collaborate with LSBU academics from the Schools of Applied Sciences or Engineering on the design, development or testing of your digital health and wellbeing product or service.
The scope of the academic collaboration may include technical support in the development of products or services or research projects to independently evaluate your product for usability, safety and/or efficacy.
Any technology area is relevant, including but not limited to, wearable devices, virtual reality applications, remote patient monitoring, AI, app development, healthcare analytics and Big Data and healthcare cybersecurity to support mental health, wellbeing, healthy living, and illness prevention.
The programme is open for registration.
Circular Economy
Circular Economy refers to strategies and practices aimed at minimising waste and maximising the use of resources by keeping products, components, and materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, recycling, and regeneration.
This is a unique opportunity to work with pioneering Circular Economy experts on a fully funded basis. We will support your business or third-sector organisation to create Circular Economy solutions or implement Circular Economy principles.
The format is a series of easy-to-access online webinars, plus the opportunity to gain dedicated expertise from one of LSBU’s academic teams to either evaluate an existing product or service or provide expertise to develop a new one.
The programme content will apply to your business whether you operate in a high-tech or low-tech sector. Here are some of the key areas we will cover:
- Introduction to Circular Economy
- Eco-design and design for circularity
- Introducing circular solutions to your enterprise
- Increasing your existing circular solutions and improving your products and services
- Measuring circularity
- Introduction to the principles of life cycle sustainability assessment (LCA) and circularity
- How to use the Circular Data Centre Compass (CDCC) - an online tool designed to assist data centre industry businesses in IT design/procurement/end-of-life decision making
This four-month programme will culminate in a showcase enabling you to demo your solutions, expand your network and build momentum for your enterprise. It could also lead to a longer-term collaboration with LSBU.
The programme is open for registration.
Creative and Digital Tech
This fully funded programme, based out of London South Bank University’s Immersive Media Hub invites South London-based businesses and third-sector organisations working with creative technologies.
Successful participants will have access to a range of creative, content production technologies including:
- Virtual reality
- Motion capture
- Virtual production
- High-end editing workstations
The programme will offer various types of support, regardless of whether you or your business is familiar with immersive technology or not, with group-based workshops available to those looking to test and explore new technology and gain a better understanding of how creative tech can enhance their productivity, or be used for prototyping new products and services.
You also will be available to engage in ‘Academic to Business’ collaborations by being paired with academic expertise from LSBU’s School of Arts and Creative Industries. These collaboration opportunities provide businesses with bespoke, 1-2-1 support and differ from the workshop designed as introductory and idea-provoking support.
This programme is open for registrations.
Improving London Communities
Transform your organisation's impact with the BIG Growth Programme, designed for third sector organisations, charities, B-Corps, start-ups, and social enterprises working across London in areas like youth support, homelessness relief, wellness programs, and social care. This fully funded four-month programme offers you the tools and knowledge to elevate your services and drive meaningful change in your community.
Through hands-on workshops, industry-specific networking events, and expert consultancy from LSBU's School of Applied Sciences, you'll learn how to embed metrics and measurements into your day-to-day business processes. Understand the critical importance of tracking and analysing data to gain deep insights into your users' needs and the effectiveness of your services. Discover how to apply logic models and evidence pyramids to enhance your decision-making and achieve tangible results, from tailoring your services to applying for funding with the data you collect.
Participants will also benefit from exploring new features and products for their existing platforms, or even building new ones, all with the support of LSBU's academic experts. Plus, connect with a talented pool of students for potential placements, internships, and collaborative projects that can bring fresh perspectives to your work.
What format will it take?
The support through the BIG programme may include:
- Exploring your stakeholders’ experiences to understand what works and what doesn’t.
- Identifying new needs/priorities that you could target as proposed by your stakeholders.
- Evaluating data that you already have, being used demonstrate your success and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Exploring the acceptability and effectiveness of potential new offerings your organisation might extend to your communities.
Eligibility: This programme is open to start-ups, established businesses, social enterprises, B-Corps, and charities based in Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, and Wandsworth.
Join the BIG Growth Programme and equip your organisation with the knowledge and tools to make a lasting impact—apply now and drive positive change in your community!
This programme is now open for registration.
WORKSHOP
Embedding metrics and measurements into your business processes
Tuesday 28 January | 9.15am to 2.45pm
LSBU Croydon, Electric House, 3 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR0 2AG
Utilising metrics in your day-to-day operations is crucial in helping you make well-informed decisions for your organisation.
Gain valuable insights into why it is important to do so and how to track and analyse data effectively to drive informed decision-making and achieve tangible results.
Join our workshop and learn how to embed metrics and measurements into your day-to-day business processes, most significantly understanding your users and how effective your services are to them. Gain valuable insights into why it is important to do so and how to track and analyse data effectively to drive informed decision-making and achieve tangible results, which could include a more tailored service to your user’s needs and the possibility of using data gathered to apply for funding.
Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your team with the tools they need to measure success and drive continuous improvement.
Sign up now and take the first step towards a more data-driven and successful future for your organisation!
Low Carbon
This is a unique opportunity to connect you with LSBU's world-renowned School of Engineering academics and expert consultants on a fully funded basis.
This programme is best suited to any enterprise seeking to reduce the carbon footprint, or, is aiming to develop low carbon solutions. Or, implement low carbon and energy saving principles into their business model. Through academic collaboration, we plan to support you in bringing new cleantech products, processes, and services to market.
During the programme, you will have access to LSBU's state-of-the-art facilities which range from wet chemistry labs and materials testing equipment, to software modelling and simulation tools.
Across the four months you will join workshops to support you in understanding key principles of low carbon solutions and work with LSBU experts to:
- Reduce your energy consumption, operating costs, and CO2 emissions
- Explore securing investment to reach growth ambitions
- Develop a Minimal Viable Product (MVP)
- Develop, test, and improve a product
- Build a sustainable business model
This programme will finish with a showcase allowing you to demo your products and services, expand your network, and build momentum for your business which could also lead to longer-term collaboration with LSBU.
This programme is now open for registration.
WORKSHOP
SMEs on the road to net zero:
practical steps and strategies
Wednesday 22 January | 10.00am to 2.00pm (includes networking lunch)
LSBU Croydon, Electric House, 3 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR0 2AG
London South Bank University (LSBU) is partnering with Croydon Council and Minority Business Matters so your business can stay ahead of the net zero curve.
Discover valuable insights and practical strategies through an interactive panel discussion and series of breakout sessions, each focusing on a key area of carbon reduction. You will walk away with solutions for you to implement immediately and help your business become more sustainable.
This expert-led workshop will inform and empower SMEs on how to capitalise on the growing importance of Scope 3 emissions reductions within the supply chains of large corporations and public sector bodies. As larger organisations increasingly focus on achieving net zero and meeting carbon reduction targets, SMEs have a unique opportunity to position themselves as sustainable, preferred suppliers by reducing their own carbon footprint and adopting green practices.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to apply for funded academic support from LSBU experts to help your business innovate and accelerate your transition towards net zero.
Key takeaways:
- Understanding Scope 3 emissions and their importance to SMEs
- Practical steps to reduce your carbon footprint
- Opportunities to engage with large organisations on sustainability goals
- Navigating carbon reporting frameworks and certifications
- Accessing grants, incentives and financing for sustainability initiatives
- Marketing your sustainability credentials to attract contracts
Breakout session topics:
- Circular economy – Deborah Andrews, Professor of Sustainability and Circularity: Explore the principles of the circular economy and learn how to implement sustainable business models that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency
- Carbon 101 - Dave Culley, SME Carbon Specialist: This session offers an engaging introduction to carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, covering key concepts, regulations, measurement techniques, and practical tools for carbon management.
- My SME’s net zero journey: Hear firsthand from SMEs that have successfully embarked on their net zero journey, including their challenges, achievements, and practical tips for reducing emissions and driving sustainability.
- Net zero in the creative sectors - Marcus Harris, Croydon Council: Understand the unique challenges and opportunities for achieving carbon reduction within the creative industries.
Optional 1:1 clinics from 2.00pm
Pre-book your individual support session to explore tailored advice on:
- Carbon 101 - carbon reduction plans
- Circular economy
- Green finance
Did you know this workshop is fully funded meaning it's free for you and your colleagues to attend?
Don't miss out - secure your spot today!
Funding information
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s improvement 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.
Need more information?
No problem, our friendly project management team is ready to answer your queries and questions.