A new initiative to nurture a culture of business innovation and entrepreneurism, boost research and development, and attract investment has won support from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. This is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

business meeting

The £5.6 million Entrepreneurial Futures project aims to maximise the economic development, employment, skills, and community benefits to Cornwall of its links with the region’s higher education and further education institutions.

The programme is led by University of Exeter and partners with University of Plymouth, Falmouth University, and Duchy College. It is a wide-ranging initiative focusing on the major research priorities, in support of key sectors including:

  • Clean energy
  • Geo-resources
  • Robotics/automation
  • Agri-food
  • Net zero and biodiversity and
  • Immersive Technologies.

Entrepreneurs and businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will have access to advice, support, and academic collaboration to innovate new ideas, products, and processes, enabling them to improve productivity, reduce costs, and reach new UK and export markets.

At the same time, the project will undertake specific research to identify barriers to entrepreneurialism, such as socio-economic factors, and provide advice to government and policy makers on creating an environment where it can flourish.

To find out more about the Good Growth Programme and the projects it is supporting in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, visit the Good Growth website.