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Expo Sunderland Challenge

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ARE YOU AN INNOVATIVE SUNDERLAND BASED BUSINESS?

Helping solve local problems

The Expo Sunderland Innovation Challenge brings communities and industry together to bring about solutions for our Future City, Future Homes and Future Living.

We’re inviting regional businesses to join us as we engage and define opportunities for development and adoption of innovate solutions.  In collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork, we're offering a fully funded and interactive platform for you and your business to enhance your innovation skills and problem-solving capabilities.

Together, we will define where these opportunities are and will provide the support available for businesses to promote and develop solutions in response.

Innovation isn’t just about new technologies; it’s about understanding root causes, engaging diverse perspectives and collaborating with others to develop solutions.

Find out more

UKSPF Funding

UKSPF Funding

Expo Sunderland has received funding from UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to support businesses with a programme of activities in partnership with Innovation SuperNetwork.

Innovation SuperNetwork

Innovation SuperNetwork

Innovation SuperNetwork are aiming to stimulate the development of start-ups & scale-ups on Wearside with the opportunity to co-develop solutions and then showcase progress within the Expo Sunderland programme in 2024/2025.

Innovation Skills Accelerator - coming soon

Innovation Skills Accelerator - coming soon

For innovative businesses and voluntary sector organisations, based in Sunderland, come and join us at our Bootcamp event coming soon.

Interested?  Find out more

Launch event 11.09.24

Launch event 11.09.24

Innovation SuperNetwork outlined these opportunities, lead discussions among participants, and explained the support available for Sunderland businesses to promote and develop their ideas.

Innovation Skills Accelerator Bootcamp - coming soon

WHY?

The Expo Sunderland Challenge provided a great opportunity to bring together those who want to see the potential of Sunderland as an amazing city in which to live, work, learn and do business, and to ensure that the innovators of Sunderland can access growth opportunities that will deliver social as well as economic benefit.

Over 50 businesses attended, all of which are keen to support us in driving innovation and impact in Sunderland.

This project is funded by UK Government through UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

 

NEXT EVENT

Innovation Skills Accelerator Bootcamp - coming soon

Interested?  Find out more

ITINERARY

9:30 - 10:00am: Registration & Networking

10:00 - 10:30am: What is innovation and why is it important?

10:30 - 11:00am: Enablers of and Barriers to Innovation

11:00 - 11:30am: Defining the Problem to be Solved

11:30 - 11:45am: Break

11:45 - 12:30pm: Engaging the Right Stakeholders and Stakeholder Mapping

12:30 - 1:30pm: Lunch

1:30 - 2:15pm: Understanding User Needs

2:15 - 2:45pm: Brainstorming Ideas and Considering Future Trends

2:45 - 3:00pm: Break

3:00 - 4:00pm: Prototyping Innovative Solutions – How to Test Early-Stage Ideas

4:00 - 4:20pm: Feedback on Your Developed Solutions

4:20 - 4:30pm: Wrap Up and Close

OUTLINE AGENDA

  • Discover the Expo programme and key dates to showcase your business in the upcoming event programme
  • Learn about innovation and available support relating to Expo's themes from Innovation SuperNetwork and their industry partners
  • Hear about the test beds, support facilities and funds that can support your innovation and growth activity
  • Unlock collaboration with other businesses looking to grow
  • Build your network of key business contacts in the region
  • Priority places for the follow-on innovation skills bootcamp.

Follow-up support from Innovation SuperNetwork will be available, along with opportunities to showcase progress at future Expo Sunderland events for free (qualifying businesses).

 

Post it

Innovation SuperNetwork have been working with various industries and the public sector to identify priority areas for developing and adopting innovative solutions around Expo’s 3 core themes.

Some of these experts will attend the event to provide insights and guide businesses during roundtable discussions.

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Including solutions that contribute to delivering greener, affordable homes for all Sunderland residents.  This may cover retrofit, new build, modern methods of construction, new materials, and innovative solutions used within the home to ensure homes that are greener, energy efficient and better to live in.

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Including solutions that support happier, healthier, more connected lives for all Sunderland residents, with community engagement and community-led initiatives central to solutions developed.

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Including solutions that help to realise the potential of Sunderland, utilising assets such as its position as a connected, smart-city as well as its existing industrial base, infrastructure and environment, and build pride and engagement across the city and surrounding neighbourhoods.

 

Expo Sunderland Challenge Launch Event - 11 September 2024

Challenge Launch gallery

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One future. Three themes.
Once-in-a-generation opportunities.

expo Sunderland
Future City

See the attractions

The Future City events programme is where business & government will discuss, explore and progress innovative ideas that create city success.

Inspired by Sunderland’s imaginative regeneration, it will explore how to boost social & economic growth and create sustainable cities.

Expo Sunderland
Future Living

See the attractions

The Future Living events programme and festivals are for residents and communities to discover new opportunities in Sunderland including healthy lifestyles, fun and entertaining activities, education, culture, food, low-carbon lifestyles and work.

expo Sunderland
Future Home

See the attractions

The Future Home events programme is the new destination for expert advice, great inspiration, innovative ideas and products for home design, better building, interiors, sustainable living, shared communities and home technology.

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