Simon Bond

EngineeringUK has today published the latest Science Education Tracker in partnership with The Royal Society and with funding from the Wellcome Trust. The findings make pretty grim reading. They are an urgent call to action for #government and the #engineering community. Interest in engineering and computing or technology careers drops off as students progress through school. Plus there’s a stark gender gap. Engineering careers interest less than a third of girls (but nearly two-thirds of boys) and only 12% of girls say being an engineer fits well with who they are. Opportunities for practical science are particularly important for less engaged students but only 26% of GCSE students are doing hands-on practical work at least fortnightly, down from 44% in 2016, and interest in science has declined - this is perhaps unsurprising given how much we know students like practical work. So how can you help? EngineeringUK supports businesses, teachers and policy makers to help young people see all the engineering and technology opportunities available to them. We need hundreds and thousands more people entering #STEM careers to meet #NetZero. We should ALL be supporting STEM for all young people. Read the full report https://lnkd.in/eQP2QMEy

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As we welcome in a new UK government today, whose manifesto is focused on driving growth, I want to highlight the critical importance of prioritising the commercialisation of our world-leading science and deep tech research, in order to supercharge the UK economy. For the UK to create its first £1 trillion company, we need decisive action from government to reinforce the UK's position at the forefront of global innovation. I’ve written an op-ed in The Times this morning on how the government can make a substantial impact in 3 critical areas: accelerating UK government procurement timelines; attracting more foreign investment for our best-in-class companies; and fast tracking the world’s best specialist talent into the UK: The Times (for subscribers): https://lnkd.in/exwr7fuF Full article on OSE website: https://lnkd.in/eUaWKThy We're keen to continue working with government to realise the UK's science super-power ambitions. #Innovation #DeepTech #Science #Investment

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A heartfelt thank you to Three UK and Rebecca Nelson at Be the Business for inviting us to join the government roundtable on connectivity and SME productivity! As the founder of Aveea, I see daily how vital connectivity is—not just in our office, but in every classroom and every community we reach. For us, connectivity is essential. From our Student Educators catching up on lectures whilst traveling, to us having to quickly adapt in schools with limited or no Wi-Fi. Reliable internet is a must to keep our STEM workshops running smoothly. Nearly all SMEs (97%) depend on reliable internet, yet I can vouch that most of us have some connectivity challenges that impact our growth. Imagine the potential if these barriers were removed—Three’s report suggests that improved connectivity could boost the UK economy by £79 billion in just one year This roundtable is a chance to explore how better connectivity, government support, and tech adoption can drive growth and impact. Thank you, Three UK and Be the Business, for shining a light on these crucial issues, and for including us in this important conversation. https://lnkd.in/egbycPe6 #ThreeMobile #BeTheBusiness #ConnectivityMatters #SMEProductivity #DigitalTransformation #STEMEducation

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The article outlines five critical priorities for the UK government to support SMEs better: improving access to finance, enhancing digital infrastructure, reducing regulatory burdens, fostering innovation, and expanding international trade opportunities. These actions are essential in empowering SMEs, the backbone of the economy, to thrive in a competitive and rapidly evolving market. The government can help SMEs overcome challenges, drive economic growth, and create more resilient and sustainable businesses by addressing these key areas.

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Scotland's ecosystem for nurturing tech start-ups continues to transform into a powerful support network, greater than the sum of its parts. The latest example is the new partnership between Scottish EDGE and TechScaler. By combining two of our most effective assets within Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we significantly increase the value that they bring to our start-ups. Alumni start-ups from Scottish EDGE can now access an ongoing development path within Techscaler, while Techscaler’s network of startup founding teams is strengthened further by dynamic businesses curated by EDGE.  https://lnkd.in/eZcM9RYR

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Looking forward to this, and in the coming weeks will be badgering people for contacts in the German energy networks, supply chain, authorities etc to see how we can help speed up good decisions relating to #hydrogen on the what/ where/ when/ how #wasserstoff

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for an insightful roundtable discussion yesterday in partnership with the UK Space Agency 🌟 🛰 We had an inspiring conversation on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by UK space SMEs as they move from early-stage growth to commercialisation. Together, we delved into the critical gap in support that emerging space companies experience as they transition beyond early-stage funding, and discussed the actionable ways to bridge it. Key themes included: 👉 The barriers to scaling for space SMEs and how the support landscape evolves as the industry matures 👉 Current UK financial support mechanisms that foster growth and attract investment, as well as potential new tools to further strengthen the ecosystem 👉 Opportunities for collaboration between UKSA, the investment community, and SMEs to ensure sustained support through Series A+ funding and beyond Thank you again to all our participants for their contributions to this important dialogue 🚀 Lydia Green – Lead Unlocking Space, UK Space Agency Sofia Chaves – Senior Project Officer Unlocking Space for Investment, UK Space Agency Lucas Bishop – Associate, Seraphim Space Sanjeev Gordhan – General Partner, Type One Ventures Shruti Iyengar – Investment Manager, Future Planet Capital Anatolii Papulov – CEO and Founder, NewOrbit Space Martin Philip – Director, Open Cosmos Patrick Zaitouni – Chief Strategy Officer, HawkEye 360 Steve Young – President of Satellite Missions, ICEYE David Ford – Partner, Silverpeak Julian Tsio – Director, Lazard Edmund Phillips – Senior Investment Partner, NSSIF Nigel Fox FCA – Chief Finance Officer, ALL.SPACE

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Would you like to have a group of clever Cambridge people (PhDs and postdocs) help to see if your technology idea has commercial potential? I'm assuming nobody is saying no, so why don't you submit a project proposal to EnterpriseTECH?   EnterpriseTECH is a real-world learning experience run at the University of Cambridge that is focused on providing PhDs and postdocs with an intellectual and practical foundation in entrepreneurship. They get some of this by working with 'inventors' who have an idea but who haven't yet worked out whether there is a market for that idea. If your project gets selected, then a team will research the market, identify the commercial advantages and applications of your idea and put together a commercial feasibility report, a video infomercial and deliver a pitch. If this sounds like it might work for you, then get your skates on as the project proposal deadline is looming!   Enquiries: [email protected] Programme: https://lnkd.in/eg3ptuuZ

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Thanks to the team at King's College London, University of Reading and Nuffield Foundation for highlighting the urgent changes needed to the UK’s computing curriculum. My thoughts on the Future of Computing Education report: 🔔 The DfE’s current consultation on the Computer Science GCSE is crucial, but a broader review is needed to meet the needs of all students, not just those who’ll be future tech specialists. 📌 BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT raised concerns about the difficulty of the Computer Science GCSE to Ofqual in 2021. While Ofqual has responded, urgent action is needed to ensure students are not discouraged from seeing computing as ‘too hard’. ➡ The narrow and difficult GCSE CS curriculum negatively impacts KS3. As most students, especially girls, do not continue computing beyond KS3, it is vital this stage covers a broad range of computing topics. 🌍 The DfE should provide clear guidance to increase flexibility in KS4 computing choices, which are currently very limited. 🚀 We do need more specialist computing teachers – and we need to develop the digital literacy of ALL teachers. 🌟 A national campaign is coming very soon! Young people deserve to know the potential of computing. We’re seeking partners and collaborators now; please get in touch with me. Let’s continue collaborating and advocating for change everyone x

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The UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing has been granted up to £1.5m by the EPSRC. The funding is intended for establishing a UK hub dedicated to neuromorphic computing, serving as a focal point for engaging various fields, advancing research, and showcasing the technology's potential in enabling NetZero solutions for emerging technologies and applications throughout the entire spectrum, including AI and quantum computing. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with a UK research institution that qualifies for EPSRC funding. The total project cost can reach £5,600,000, with the EPSRC funding covering £4,480,000 (80% of the total cost). Only one center will be funded through this opportunity, with a maximum project duration of four years. https://buff.ly/3ykCs3c At Capti Innovation our mission is to make grant funding more accessible. Every year, we help hundreds of companies save time, win funding and accelerate growth by leveraging our extensive expertise in funding opportunities. Email us for more information [email protected] #funding #investing #fintech #technology #sustainability #growth #cybersecurity #environment #food #automation #automotive #recycling #nutrition #medicine #robotics #farming #augmentedreality #neuroscience #grants #ukgrants #startupgrants #businessgrants #ukgovernmentgrant #sme #smegrant #businessfunding #smefunding #technologygrant #innovationgrant #capti #captiinnovation #gamechanging #gamechanginginnovation #disruptiveinnovation #smartgrant #ai #manufacturing #sustainable #innovation #telecoms #semiconductors #business #IUK #InnovateUK #SmartGrant #InnovateUKfunding

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It was great to be able to connect and share my thoughts and insight for the Connectivity Mix Ecosystem Insight for Connect: Health Tech (https://lnkd.in/eweszqZu) alongside some brilliant other #contributors. A really great example of what we should all be talking about - how we can improve #connectivity and #collaboration amongst ourselves and #ecosystems to the benefit of not just ourselves, but the UK as a whole. The paper has just been launched and can be read here: https://lnkd.in/eP4ptRUr. #ConnectivityMix #JoinTheDots.

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Make sure to read the Fusion Industry Association's annual "State of the Industry" report, out today. We see continued growth in companies and funding, with a notable uptick in funding from governments into the sector. Take a read and let me know what you think - #fusion #cleanenergy

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🔔 Funding Alert for UK SMEs 🔔 The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) launched a £7.4m pilot scheme yesterday to subsidise the costs of AI training for SMEs in the UK. Eligible businesses are able to apply for for funds to cover up to 50% of their AI training costs. To be eligible, you must: - Be registered and operate in the UK - Employ between 1-249 employees in the UK - Have been operating for at least 1 year - Be able to match-fund 50% of the cost of the training You can get between £2,500 and £10,000 in grants, depending on your business size. You'll be responsible for finding your own AI training provider (*massive, dramatic cough and lots of pointing at myself*). Applications are now open, but it's a short pilot window - they'll close on 31 May. To apply, head over here: https://lnkd.in/e6PGNqZg It's a big step in the right direction - very best of luck to all who apply. PS Need some help with the AI skills bit in your application? I've opened up some totally free 1:1 slots for this very purpose: https://lnkd.in/eD2HeUb3

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Battery and energy storage innovation is key to reaching climate and sustainability goals 👏 so with that in mind - looking forward to supporting the Faraday Battery Challenge and the 18 founders participating on everything #fundraising and #investor related.

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The case for GB Cloud The AI revolution will need massive computing capacity to enable it. In this paper Demos ‘ Elizabeth Seger with UKDayOne calls for the next government to invest in sovereign compute - GB Cloud - to develop cost effect and resilient compute. GB Cloud should be a public interest company offering discounted access to the NHS, public services and researchers and start-ups and could have parliamentary oversight and public consultation to ensure it is a trusted resource for the nation. The next will have to pick some targets to stimulate growth. This is a good bet. https://lnkd.in/eg28dipv

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Now we know the date - six weeks today - and we can be fairly sure about the near term impact on the UK tech market too, particularly in the public sector with delays to any major decisions that might be reversed under a new government set to cause a hiatus in spending... #GeneralElection2024 #GeneralElection #techtrends #UKtech

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