Made Smarter overview - Whatever you make, make it smarter.
Do you want to grow your business with emerging digital technologies? Go to market faster? Cut costs? Reduce downtime? If you’re a maker based in the Great South West, Made Smarter can help.
This programme is backed by world-renowned businesses and the UK government. Specialist technology experts can give you personalised advice, identify the right digital tools and help you make everyday improvements to your business.
Up to 50% match funding is available, and we’ll offer guidance on developing an effective digital roadmap to set you on the best path. You can develop your own skills with leadership training designed to make your transition to digital technology easier. You’ll even get the chance to bring onboard digital-native talent with a funded student placement.
Made Smarter Great South West
The Made Smarter Great South West programme is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered across Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The programme will run until 31st March 2026 and will be led by the Cornwall Council in conjunction with lead delivery partner NCC and delivery partners SWMAS and the University of the West of England (UWE).
Benefits: at-a-glance
• Fully funded action plan to digitally transform your business
• Fully funded digital transformation training programmes to upskill your workforce
• Fully funded student interns to assist your digital transformation
• Match-funded grants to purchase industry 4.0 hardware or software
Benefits: detailed
Expert advice and support
Get fully funded advice - delivered by specialist technology experts - to help your business both identify the right digital tools and support staff to implement new technologies.
1:1 Digital Acceleration Sessions
This fully funded, in-depth assessment will help you gain a better understanding of your business and develop a strategic action plan for adopting digital technologies. Led by NCC and delivered by NCC and SWMAS.
Funding support
Up to 50% match funding is available to support your digital transformation. Apply for a grant to help you access expert advice or to support the purchase of new software and equipment.
Digital leadership training
Delivered by the University of the West England (UWE), this fully funded digital leadership training will support your organisation's leaders to implement transformation strategies. The training builds on insights gained from the 1:1 Digital Acceleration Sessions.
Digital champion training
Delivered by UWE, this fully funded training will support a team member within your organisation who will lead digital transformation projects. Your digital champion will be supported to develop both project management and change management skills to implement transformation projects.
Digital internship
Your business will be matched with a university student or recent graduate with skills from subject areas including Digital, Engineering, Business Management, and Data & Computer Science. The internship is fully funded, allowing you to pay the intern the Real Living Wage.
See details and where to register on the attached document