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Made Smarter Adoption Programme is sponsored by Department for Business and Trade (via West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and other regional bodies). The Made Smarter Adoption Programme connects manufacturers to digital tools, innovations, and skills. It offers match-funded grants for equipment and specialist advice to implement digital transformation and workforce development projects.
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Digital transformation support in the South West | Made Smarter Made Smarter Adoption Programme Supporting UK manufacturing growth across the South West Made Smarter South West is supporting manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like yours to improve productivity by adopting industrial digital technologies.
A package of support measures is offered to eligible SMEs, including a fully funded action plan to digitally transform your business, a fully funded digital transformation training programmes to upskill your workforce, a fully funded student interns to support young people into work, and match-funded grants to purchase industry 4. 0 hardware or software. The programme is now live and will be delivered from April 2026 onwards.
Made Smarter adoption in the South West Who is delivering the Made Smarter adoption programme in the South West The Made Smarter South West programme is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon and Torbay, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Swindon and Wiltshire.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority leads the delivery of the programme, in partnership with the National Composites Centre (NCC), Oxford Innovation Advice and the University of the West of England (UWE). Localised advice and support Businesses joining Made Smarter will benefit from fully funded advice delivered by specialist technology experts.
The programme enables SMEs to identify the right digital tools and support staff to implement the new technology. To be eligible for support, SMEs must be registered or trading in the South West region. Localised 1:1 digital acceleration sessions We aim to connect manufacturing SMEs like yours to the right digital tools so you can transform the way you work.
Made Smarter will enable eligible businesses to grow through emerging digital technology and help you cut costs, deliver products to market faster, reduce downtime and/or improve efficiency. If eligible, you will receive a fully funded in-depth diagnostic and assessment process, led by the NCC and Oxford Innovation Advice. This will help you develop a strategic action plan for adopting Industry 4.
0 technologies and gaining gain a better understanding of your business . Localised funding support If eligible, you will be able to apply for a grant to help you access expert advice from a technology specialist and support the purchase of new software and/or equipment. 50% match funding is available for your total project costs.
You can receive between £1,000 and £20,000, depending on your business needs. You will receive ongoing support in creating an effective digital action plan, ensuring that your chosen technologies drive your business in the right direction.
Localised leadership digital transformation development Our fully funded Digital Transformation training, delivered by UWE amongst other delivery providers, is designed to support senior leaders in your organisation to implement digital transformation solutions. This training builds on insights gained from the 1:1 Digital Acceleration Sessions with NCC.
Format: Two-day in-person workshops Dates: Summer 2026 & Autumn 2026 Localised Digital Champion implementation training Our fully funded digital implementation training, delivered by UWE, is designed to support individuals from your organisation who are identified as the lead for the transformation project.
The aim of the programme will be to support individuals to develop strong project and change management capabilities to successfully implement your transformation project.
Format: Two-day in-person workshops Dates: Summer 2026 & Autumn 2026 Access a fully funded Digital Intern If eligible, the National Composites Centre (NCC) and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) will match your business with a suitable student or recent graduate to support the implementation of your digital transformation journey.
Students will be drawn from a range of subject areas, including Digital, Engineering, Business Management, and Data & Computer Science. Case Studies - Our impact as told by our clients Scaling sustainability for a greener future A forward-thinking company based in Bristol, dedicated to providing sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging using seaweed based materials.
Their commitment to sustainability has placed them at the forefront of the movement to tackle plastic pollution, with a vision to scale their technology to meet the demands of industries worldwide. Case Study - Kelpi’s story Bristol Bakery embraces digitisation Pinkmans Bakery is an artisan bakery that produces handmade, wild yeast-based goods.
Operating from its bakery in Barton Manor, it supplies three Bristol based cafés located on Whiteladies Road, in Westbury-on-Trym, and at Bristol Cathedral. The business prioritises using traditional methods and minimising commercially manufactured processes. Case Study - Pinkmans Bakery Join the Made Smarter movement Register to find out how Made Smarter can support you on your digital journey.
Manufacturer looking for support Tech Provider or Innovator
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: SMEs registered or trading in the South West region (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, etc.) with a manufacturing focus. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows £1,000 to £20,000 (50% match funding). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Made Smarter Adoption Programme is funded by Department for Business and Trade (via West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and other regional bodies). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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