LCR Activate is a three-year European Regional Development Fund initiative supported by FACT and the LEP providing advice and mentoring, events and workshops and networks and facilities. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is leading a £5m project that will offer support to SMEs developing digital technology products.
LCR Activate is a three-year European Regional Development Fund initiative supported by FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
It will provide firms in the digital and creative sector advice and mentoring, events and workshops, networks and facilities, and finance for digital product development and exploitation.
Digital and creative is one of Liverpool city region’s fastest-growing business sectors and estimated to be worth around £1bn annually.
Professor Paulo Lisboa, head of Department of Applied Mathematics at the LJMU Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and project director, said: “The digital and creative sector is a national success story.
“SMEs will have access to facilities such as Sensor City and the University Enterprise Zone, which is transforming UK industry through high performance computing, artificial intelligence, big data and cognitive technologies.”
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, added: “I really cannot overstate the importance of this programme and its enormous potential.
“We are blessed with an outstanding collection of digital assets. Being able to link innovative SMEs with facilities like Sensor City as part of world-class digital eco-system will have a transformational impact.”
The official launch of the LCR Activate project will take place on October 3 at FACT in Liverpool city centre. To register an interest click here.