About Us

Central Technology Belt works with people who want to make a difference. We find, motivate and connect innovators – in companies, universities and government to unlock progress, growth and competitive advantage. Central Technology Belt is a not-for-profit company.

Safe Open Innovation

Open Innovation is how ideas turn into goods and services through collaboration. To make progress you have to talk and be open with potential partners but this should not mean giving your ideas away. You need to be safe. Central Technology Belt (CTB) operates the Technology Intersect service which enables ideas and technology to be traded safely.

Innovation Infrastructure

Central Technology Belt (CTB) works in the engine-room of innovation. This gives CTB a unique appreciation of what innovation infrastructure is needed to support organisations that need to innovate and grow. CTBs neutral position allows it to broker and promote future collaborative initiatives across sectors.

Intellectual Property Strategy

Uncertainty and doubt around intellectual property (IP) protection can inhibit innovation. Ignorance or the pressure to ‘just press on’ can lead to expensive mistakes.

Access to Funding

The majority of productivity, growth and job creation has come from innovation by small and young firms. These companies need resources and funding. CTB has a track record of successfully delivering EU Regional Development Fund projects designed to help businesses innovate & grow.

Evidence – Case Studies

We now have a thriving and growing ecosystem of connected companies, universities and local authorities.

Contact Us

Whether you are a start-up or small technology business; a larger corporate enterprise; university or local authority - start making a difference. Please get in touch via the email link below or click through to use our Contact Form.

Email - info@centraltechnologybelt.com

Contact Form >

Central Technology Belt
Geraldine Road
Malvern Hills Science Park
Malvern | WR14 3SZ

01684 585276

Download CTB Annual Review

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About Us

Central Technology Belt (CTB) is a small but highly effective Economic Development company. It represents one of the most experienced and capable collectives anywhere in the UK.

The need for economic growth occupies centre stage for both business and government. Technology innovation is essential to drive growth and rebalance the economy in favour of the technology sectors. Innovation is so essential to technology business that it cannot be left to chance and must be actively encouraged.

Business and government should work together to deliver an environment in which innovation can thrive. This needs an organisation like CTB working across the public and private sectors - commercially and technologically aware and capable of gaining the respect of business and technical communities.

If you would like more information click the link below to contact us

Safe Open Innovation

The CTB Technology Intersect service presents innovators with an easy, safe, and supportive environment in which to trade their ideas and technologies. Technology Intersect paves the way for new ideas and products to flow into the market to produce runaway growth.

CTB’s Technology Intersect service uses well tried and understood techniques. It focuses on making technically and commercially astute connections between innovators - from inventor to the market. Technology Intersect provides everything needed to discover the technologies and partners required to innovate and grow. In this way Technology Intersect vastly accelerates the innovation process.

A healthy Innovation Ecosystem is made up of a network of trusted connections spanning small and large business, universities and government. It is the sum total of all the relationships that exist between innovators. Technology Intersect has no geographical limits.

If you would like more information click the link below to contact us

Innovation Infrastructure

Longbridge Technology Park

CTB was an early stage partner in the transformation of the old MG Rover Car Plant into the Longbridge Technology Park. CTB was involved in setting the direction and gaining planning approval for this multi-million pound innovative project.

National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit

Based on the University of Worcester Campus the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit came to Central Technology Belt to develop a totally new facility to meet growing demand. CTB developed a business plan and presentation to secure funding for the new enlarged facility. It now has world class facilities for research and commercial activity in atmospheric science, allergy, product testing, forensic palaeontology, crop protection and plant science.

Institute of Thermal Engineering

Half of all energy consumed in the UK is heat. Thermal Engineering is the technology concerned with the production and management of heat. CTB is promoting an Institute of Thermal Engineering in the South Midlands. The UK has some of the world’s leading thermal technology companies that provide products, systems and services for producing and managing heat around the world.

The Institute fits well with the government’s Catapult Centre model. The role of the Institute will be to focus expertise; stimulate innovation; encourage young people into thermal engineering; and provide the skills, expertise and facilities required to support an innovative, fast growing UK Thermal Engineering industry.

Plugged in Midlands

A national charging infrastructure for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is becoming a reality, with Government agencies, local councils and private businesses all coming together to create an effective network across the UK.

Central Technology Belt was instrumental in bringing this project to the Midlands. CTB identified and worked alongside interested organisations in the Midlands region to install and operate electric vehicle charging points and become part of the Plugged-in Midlands project, which has installed over 600 charging points across the region.

If you would like more information click the link below to contact us

Intellectual Property Strategy

Central Technology Belt provides a complete support package for companies who want to innovate – That is: create or do something new. The services below are aimed at both individuals or businesses that have a new concept they would like to take to market.

‘IS IT NEW?’ SERVICE

Our ‘Is it new?’ service costs £495, and can save you a lot of time, effort and expense by answering the question:

Is this great idea actually new?

After a conversation with you about your idea, our experienced team can do a valuable, quick and efficient search of world-wide intellectual property databases for similar inventions or designs. We will show you any that we find, to help you make a decision on your next steps.

‘PROTECTING YOUR INVENTIONS AND DESIGNS’ SERVICE

Our ‘Protecting your inventions and designs’ service costs £495, and offers straightforward advice about protecting your inventions and designs.

Specially trained by the UK Intellectual Property Office, a CTB advisor will offer independent advice to help develop a practical and appropriate strategy around protecting and trading your inventions and designs. Intellectual or intangible assets are now recognised by many organisations as their most important resource. 80% of all company assets are now intellectual or intangible assets. This CTB service aims to furnish you with the options you need- knowledge of ways to create value from your intangible assets including inventions, computer code, marks, and designs etc.

This service is tailored to suit your specific needs but here are some frequently asked questions which can be answered via this service:

What is the most appropriate way to protect my invention, code, design or mark.
Do I need to spend money with an IP attorney?

What will they do for me?
How much will it cost me?
Which one is best for me?

Confidentiality – what do I need to do to make sure I keep my inventions and designs protected?
How can I sell, trade or licence my inventions and designs?

Our clients tell us that this service is extremely valuable and has saved them time, money and resource, helping them make vital investment decisions on intellectual property, and whether to involve a patent attorney to protect their inventions and designs.

To book an appointment or to request further information on the services listed email us now at info@centraltechnologybelt.com or call 01684 585276.

Access to Funding

Proof of Concept Fund - £30,000 Grants

Working with Worcestershire County Council, Central Technology Belt has an exciting new grant funding programme that can support SME’s to investigate, advance, commercialise and protect early stage innovative business ideas. The fund is now open with grants of up to £30,000 available for a limited time. These grants will be in high demand, so please contact the team ASAP.

The Proof of Concept fund will provide grants of up to 50% of the total cost of a project (to a maximum contribution of £30,000) for businesses to bring a new product or service to the market.

Successful applicants will not have to sacrifice any rights or shareholdings thanks to the support of the European Regional Development Fund.

Eligibility:

To qualify, your business must:

Be situated in and trading from Worcestershire, and
Employ fewer than 250 employees, and
Have a turnover of less than the equivalent of 50 million Euros per annum or an balance sheet of less than 43 million Euros
Applicants must demonstrate that they can match fund the remaining 50% of the project costs.

Please note some industries such as primary agriculture and retail are not eligible. Other activities excluded are social welfare and education facilities, banking and insurance.

If you would like more information click the link below to contact us

How does it work?

Initial contact with CTB Business Manager Jane Holmes, who will help assess whether your project is right for the fund, and support you to get a draft applications appraisal ready, and explain the rest of the process.
Application submitted – eligibility, state aid and financial assessment evidence required.
Application is appraised by the Proof of Concept appraisal panel
If successful Grant Funding Agreement issued – please note no project work must be undertaken before grant funding agreement issued.
Business executes the project, then claims grant monies back from Worcestershire County Council. Full support will be given for this process.
Projects will be monitored to ensure they are on track both in timescale and spend.

What can the grant fund?

Please note only external expenditure can be funded; internal costs such as staff salaries cannot be funded.

New machinery - Hardware and Equipment
Market Research and Assessment
IPR Protection
Accreditations
Prototyping
Marketing/Events/Demonstrations
Building works

How is this project funded?

The Worcestershire Proof of Concept fund is part-financed by the West Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Contact details for further information:

Jane Holmes
Central Technology Belt
Business Manager

07505 066434

jane@centraltechnologybelt.com

Jane Yardley
Worcestershire County Council
EU Programme Manager

01905 845899

Jyardley2@worcestershire.gov.uk

Evidence – Case Studies

CTB brings Surface Treatment Experts and Energy Systems Company together to discuss potential for collaboration on innovative sealing applications. This led to components being handed over for treatment and long term soak tests to confirm performance. If tests continue to prove positive then this could lead to a contract for the small business worth an estimated £8M.

Leading UK Engineering Company and Top French University. These two organisations met through CTB under a non-disclosure agreement negotiated by CTB. The subject under discussion is top secret but has led to further dialogue. This collaboration may lead to a revolution in this industry. Estimates of the value of this innovation exceed £50M.

Small but Fast Growing Business and small award winning Electronic Design Company meet through CTB to explore new product designs. This led to a rethink of manufacturing strategy, new opportunities and a return from the Far East of design and development work.

Small Start-up Company applies for funding through innovative Local Authority led project. A classic case of CTB connecting innovators – wherever they are. The funding is worth up to £40K.

If you would like more information click the link below to contact us

Contact Us

Whether you are a start-up or small technology business; a larger corporate enterprise; university or local authority - start making a difference.