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Case Study
Marine Systems Technology view
GRAND designs for Image Solutions
16th November 2009
An offer of £100,000 Grant for Research & Development (GRAND) has been awarded to a Preston based company to design a 'smart glass' enclosure for microscopes for use in bioscience experiments, where a controlled environment is essential.
Awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to Image Solutions (UK) Ltd, the Grant will provide an innovative solution to a common industry problem.
The innovation lies in developing a smart glass technology, which could electronically darken the microscope chamber to an appropriate level, allowing images to be displayed externally, while keeping their interior at the correct level of light.
Established in 1993, Image Solutions have considerable experience developing and commercialising products, and have identified several other features that would make the proposed product even more attractive to customers.
GRAND, is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. GRAND helps entrepreneurs and business owners introduce innovative products and processes, including research trials and product testing. GRAND is designed specifically to support innovative projects that have a solid commercial potential.
Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said:
"The project team at Image Solutions has the right technical skills and commercial expertise to provide an innovative solution to an existing industry problem.
"Innovation is a key driver to continued economic stability and growth, something the NWDA has identified as a main objective to support the business base of the region."
Ian Corless, Managing Director of Image Solutions (UK) Ltd said:
"Image Solutions (UK) Ltd is delighted to have
received the GRAND award.
"The funding enables us to research our market and its needs
and will lead to truly innovative designs that will ultimately
assist the bioscience community in their
research."
As part of the response to the current economic downturn, GRAND is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with £1.1 million, together with £1.2 million from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
The ERDF programme is backed by the Programme Monitoring Committee to monitor, oversee and advise on the delivery of the programme and proved invaluable to the development of the new fund.
Dennis Taylor, a PMC Member and Chief Executive of Lancashire Economic Partnership said,
"Since its inception, Image Solutions has been at the 'leading edge' of technological solutions for scientists wishing to exploit digital imaging and microscopy, including the cell biology team at the National University of Ireland in Galway. We are delighted that their innovative approach to scientific research has been rewarded in this way. Here in Lancashire, we welcome the significant investment from the ERDF programme that has made this possible."
The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these financially challenging times. To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to - www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness
For more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
For more information on Finance for Business please visit www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk or www.erdfnw.co.uk
Between 2007 and 2013 the Northwest of England will receive a total of £521million (dependent on exchange rate) from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), this funding will enhance the competitiveness of the region's economy by supporting growth in employment and enterprise.
Key targets for the NWOP include:
• Creating 26,700 net additional jobs by 2015
• Generating £1.17bn additional annual GVA by 2015
• Supporting a 25% reduction in addition CO2 emissions
generated by the ERDF Programme.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region's outstanding quality of life
