What is The KEI Fund? The KEI Fund is designed to encourage collaboration between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the University of Derby. The University is looking to support SMEs to become more innovative and realise their growth ambitions. Part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the KEI fund will enable businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through utilising the knowledge, technology and skills of the University of Derby.
Applications for KEI projects are welcomed from SMEs across a wide range of industries and sectors.
Who is it for?
1. SMEs in the D2N2 area looking to collaborate with the University
2. SMEs with an innovative idea which they would like to develop
3. SMEs interested in employing a recent graduate to deliver an innovation project
4. SMEs who already have access to funds for some of the project costs
Key aspects of a KEI project:
Each KEI project will consist of 3 key component parts:
1. The Business,
2. The Graduate (Affiliate),
3. The University (academic).
A recently qualified graduate will be recruited to undertake a bespoke project to identify innovative solutions to enable your business grow.
Businesses will also have access to University expertise as well as a 30% grant * to support the costs of employing the Graduate. (* this is based on a graduate salary of £22,000 pa, which means the SME would receive a grant of £6,600)
Project length  typically 6  18 months.
Please note that the KEI fund is only open to Small Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the D2N2 (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire) area.
For more info, visit: http://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/knowledge-transfer/partnerships/knowledgeexchangeforinnovationkei/
