Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the North West and Midlands now have access to £8 million in government funding to enable digital transformations.
The fund is part of the 'Made Smarter' initiative, which aims to help SMBs finance automation and digital technologies, and is part of a wider government strategy to build up the country's economy and help future proof smaller businesses.
The programme includes free expert advice, funded digital internships, specialised leadership and management training, and "match" funding for digital transformation projects.
It's available to small and medium-sized manufacturers across the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands. A pilot of the same programme was launched in the North West in 2019 where the government estimates that more than 1,000 SMBs were able to access funding for digital technologies.
The Bury-based Black Pudding Company are cited as an example of how the Made Smarter fund can help to upgrade a factory with automation and digital tools. The firm used the technologies to increase its output and is now a big provider of black pudding across the country.
Businesses in the North West will be able to continue accessing the fund and support for other regions will be launched in the coming months, the government has confirmed.
RELATED RESOURCE
The workers' experience report
How technology can spark motivation, enhance productivity and strengthen security
"Having been actively involved in the North West pilot we have seen the power of this scheme to help a broad range of manufacturers exploit industrial digitalisation to increase productivity and employment," said Olly Benzecry, the commissioner of Made Smarter.
"It is great to see this approach now being made available more nationally, building on the strong foundation developed and proven in the North West over the past two years."
By supporting the adoption of digital technologies, like robotics and IoT, the government hopes to 'level up' various regions of the UK and create high-skilled, well-paid jobs and also reduce emissions.
Businesses can go to madesmarter.uk. to apply for the fund.
-
RSAC Conference 2025: The front line of cyber innovationITPro Podcast Ransomware, quantum computing, and an unsurprising focus on AI were highlights of this year's event
-
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei thinks we're burying our heads in the sand on AI job lossesNews With AI set to hit entry-level jobs especially, some industry execs say clear warning signs are being ignored
-
‘The opportunity ahead is immense’: Kaseya’s new CEO eyes SMB gains and closer ties with partnersNews The former Intuit leadership veteran will spearhead Kaseya’s next phase of customer-centric growth
-
ESET targets partner profitability with new MDR bundleNews The security firm's managed detection and response services and products are now available as part of a single SKU to enhance the partner sales process
-
What does the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill mean for small businesses?In-depth Everything SMBs need to know as soon-to-be-updated data protection regulations make compliance easier and reduce costs
-
"It's still not great": Industry divided on government's SMB tax relief packageNews The government’s handling of R&D tax credits has left SMBs with a “sense of disbelief”
-
UK startups dread Tech Nation loss as end of the road nearsIn-depth Tech Nation’s tireless championing of the UK tech industry has left founders in the lurch as Barclays Eagle Labs steps in to take the reigns
-
Technology Ecosystem benchmark reportWhitepaper The evolution of the IT industry
-
An end-to-end roadmap for SMB cloud migrationWhitepaper Future-proofing transformation
-
Seven realities facing SMBs as they enter a future of increased cyber threatsWhitepaper 2022 Intel Cybersecurity outlook for small and midsize businesses
