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A creative boost for business

10/10/2007

"Great ideas need to be nurtured and that's exactly what the Insight Out programme does."

Open to anyone who is resident in and planning to set up or kick start a recently started business in the South West, the programme is supported by and delivered through three centres across the region: Spike Design in Bristol, University College, Falmouth and the Enterprise Pavilion, Bournemouth.

All business ideas based within the creative industries will be considered and it is important to note that a drive to succeed and a willingness to accept good advice are really important attributes that applicants will need. The deadline for the submission of application is 13 November 2007. Visit the NESTA website for further details about how to apply for Insight Out South West.

There will be up to fifteen spaces available at each centre and along with the invaluable business training; each centre will offer candidates the chance to pitch for a share of funding and support of up to £10,000. This pitch will be the culmination of at least five days training at each centre between January and March next year.

Mike Gardner, Business Incubation Adviser at the South West RDA said; "Insight Out has worked really well in other parts of the UK and its great news that we are now able to offer this programme of business training, mentoring, advice and expertise to entrepreneurial individuals with an exciting business idea thereby giving them the impetus to succeed within the South West."

As part of a national enterprise training programme, Insight Out South West is being part-funded and managed and by the South West of England Regional Development Agency on behalf of NESTA, The National Endowment of Science Technology and the Arts.

Helen Gresty, Executive Director of Innovation Programmes at NESTA, said "Great ideas need to be nurtured and that's exactly what the Insight Out programme does. The entrepreneurs selected will come away from this training with the skills, confidence, and contacts to help turn their ideas into a reality in the region".

For further information or to request an interview, please contact the NESTA press office on 0207 438 2608.

Insight Out South West will run in three centres across the region. These will be based in:
Bristol - Spike Design at Spike Island
Falmouth - University College Falmouth
Bournemouth - The Enterprise Pavilion at the Arts Institute.

Closing date for application is 16 November 2007.

NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts. With endowed funds of over £300 million, our mission is to transform the UK's capacity for innovation. We do this in three main ways: by working to build a more pervasive culture of innovation in this country; by providing innovators with access to early stage capital; and by driving forward research into innovation, with a view to influencing policy.