Wannabe and Wizard App Makers....in need of funding? Need we say more...

by Startacus Admin

So, let's get the detail out of the way. You have until the 30th September to apply for this Cisco and Infusion lead RAPTOR grant to help you develop a network-based or cloud-based technology solution for either Retail, Transport or the Urban Environment. Interested, or have an idea?

The RAPTOR project by the way, aims to address the challenges associated with Start-Up involvement in open innovation by providing a shared technical development environment and an application platform to establish proof-of concept of an Urban Operating System in the Enterprise centre on the Greenwich Peninsula, London. (their words as you can probably tell!)

The programme has been funded as part of the Technology Strategy Board’s central research and development programme, which aims to show how co-operation between digital infrastructure providers, content producers, users and software developers can be improved to earn revenue. (their words again!)

You can be awarded with up to £7k to help develop your App and the good news is that this is a grant that you are not expected to pay back (hence its not a loan!). Oh and you have to be over the age of 18 - which Startacus sometimes wishes was still a problem...

Helping the wannabe self starter get the resources they need to develop their idea, is a key value to Startacus, so we were glad to hear Rod Halstead, Managing Director, Public Sector, Cisco say:

“Cisco is a firm believer in championing SMEs, start-ups and undiscovered talent. By nurturing today’s small businesses and entrepreneurs, we are encouraging the development of the innovators and tech leaders of tomorrow. Cisco itself has an entrepreneurial heritage, so the start-up culture is at the heart of our business. With projects like RAPTOR and our annual BIG Awards programme, we aim to continue the legacy of technology success stories and ultimately build a brilliant future for Britain.”

Apart from the hard cash, you can also get some non cash support to help you along the way (which in many instances can just be as valuable).

The RAPTOR SME Small Grants Programme will provide start-ups with prize packages made up of cash, mentoring from RAPTOR partners and stakeholders, access to the RAPTOR test and development space, state of the art collaboration technology and marketing opportunities. Three groups of five prizes will be rewarded over the space of 12 months.

Startacus is off to brainstorm some App based ideas, but if you are interested in finding out more, it would be worth checking out the RAPTOR site to find out more and like all applications, read the criteria and small print.

Good luck!

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Published on: 15th September 2012