Innovation Hub at LCNI 2017

06–07, December 2017, The International Centre Telford

 

 

 

 

Invitation to SMEs and start-ups to participate at this year’s LCNI conference The International Centre, Telford, 6 - 7 December 2017.

Due to the success of the innovation hub at LCNI in 2016, BEAMA, Energy Innovation Centre, Energy Systems Catapult and Innovate UK will be collaborating for a second year to sponsor an innovation hub at this year’s LCNI conference.  This is a unique opportunity for innovators to raise their profile, develop relationships, gain insight into the needs of the UK’s gas and electricity network operators, and seek funding opportunities. The innovation showcase zone will provide a suitable position for SMEs to pitch their innovative solutions for the industry in a UK area at the event.  

Network operators are continually looking to understand what solutions, systems and business models will manage costs, engage energy users in new ways and support energy decarbonisation.  They have access to funding from the Ofgem NIA and NIC funding mechanisms to test, de-risk and prove innovations with the potential to meet these challenges.

We are creating a dedicated “emerging innovation” showcase hub at the event designed specifically to raise the profile of innovative SMEs in a high quality, attention grabbing display area, and to use our network operator contacts to help innovators broker relationships with their innovation teams and explore opportunities with them for innovation project funding.

There are 16 pods available for companies to apply for these are sponsored and subsidised by the delivery partners (BEAMA, EIC, ESC and Innovate UK).  Pod hire is therefore only £500+VAT for each start-up company.  Please note the cost of the pod hire does not include entry into the LCNI exhibition. Companies will need to sign up separately for the event as attendees and purchase delegate passes.

Each pod will include:

  • Cupboard space
  • Shelf for laptops and publications
  • Graphic area
  • Power
  • Company branding on the pod
  • Support with networking and personal introductions to network operator innovation teams
  • Online promotion by Innovate UK, BEAMA, ESC and EIC prior to and during the event, via organisation websites and social media channels.

If you would like to apply please click here to complete the application form online, closing date for applications is the 20th October 2017 for any questions please contact [email protected]. Companies will need to meet a certain criteria to be able to exhibit on the innovation hub please see below for more information for eligibility. Once applications have been received the delivery partners will then assign pods based on a first come first served basis provided companies are eligible as per the criteria set out below. 

The design and layout of this year’s stand will be available shortly. However, if you wish to see where the innovation hub will be located click here  to view the floor plan we have stands A10/12/13.

Eligibility Criteria

 

Company category

Employees

Turnover

or

Balance sheet total

Medium-sized

< 250

≤ € 50 m

≤ € 43 m

Small

< 50

≤ € 10 m

≤ € 10 m

Micro

< 10

≤ € 2 m

≤ € 2 m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Your company should meet the Micro SME criteria outlined in the table above.
  • Provide evidence (written) that your company is developing or is seeking to develop innovations aimed at gas and electricity network operators. You may operate in other sectors but feel your solution/ technology is applicable to the energy sector.
  • You are not already exhibiting with another organisation at the event
  • You need to be a registered UK company
  • If you do not fit the above criteria but still feel you have a strong case for inclusion in the innovation zone please get in touch.