The MTC and the Product Manufacturing Incubator (PMI), as registered RTO providers, have been supporting more than 20 SMEs and start-ups to access public funding via Innovate UK Edge’s RTO Grant Funding Scheme to bring their products to market.

Through PMI’s partnership with Innovate Edge, SMEs can apply for grants of up to £15,000. The MTC and PMI teams have been able to support SMEs in building business cases in their funding applications for the scheme to give them the best chance of securing the support.

If successful, applicants are provided with practical assessments, evaluations, and routes to market for their concepts and products with access to the knowledge, skills and facilities the MTC has to offer.

Gabrielle England, PMI business development manager, said: “For many of our clients, funding such as this that is available through our partners at Innovate Edge is vital for start-ups and small businesses. It is integral at the beginning of their journeys to test their concepts and ideas and obtain crucial advice and guidance from organisations such as the MTC and potentially open up a wider network of clients and investors.

“At the MTC, we want to create a significant and positive impact on society and by starting with the UK’s SME community, we are doing so where it matters the most and we are intent on removing the barriers that preclude so many businesses from getting off the ground.”

The MTC’s PMI team specialises in supporting businesses of all sizes on their journey from initial ideas to commercial success.