Events
SME Innovation for Business Growth
The University of Warwick and Coventry College are collaborating to offer innovation workshops for established businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.
14 January 2027: Innovate to Improve
What could your business be doing better?
From rising costs and inefficient processes to stretched capacity and changing customer expectations, every business faces challenges that affect performance. This workshop explores how innovation, fresh thinking and new approaches can create meaningful improvements.
You'll explore how to:
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Identify and prioritise opportunities for improvement
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Challenge assumptions about existing problems and processes
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Explore alternative approaches and potential solutions
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Decide what to test before committing time or resources
21 January 2027: Innovate to Grow
Where could your next opportunity for growth come from?
Growth doesn't always mean developing something entirely new or expanding overseas. Your next opportunity could lie in a different customer group, a new sector, an untapped regional market or an innovative approach to reaching existing customers.
You'll explore how to:
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Identify potential customers, sectors and markets
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Assess customer demand and commercial potential
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Explore different routes to market and opportunities for collaboration
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Recognise barriers and test assumptions before investing in growth
Is this programme right for you?
This programme is designed for established SMEs across the midlands, particularly business owners, managing directors and senior decision makers.
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Have a business challenge you'd like to approach differently
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Are considering changes to processes, technologies or ways of working
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Want to explore new customers, sectors or markets
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Would value fresh perspectives before making important commercial decisions
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Are ready to put new ideas and approaches into practice
What can you expect?
These are interactive working sessions designed around real business challenges, rather than traditional lectures or presentations.
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Expert perspectives from innovation and commercial specialists
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Practical tools and structured business exercises
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Opportunities to exchange ideas and challenge thinking with peers
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Connections into the wider regional business and innovation community
The focus is on useful insights, meaningful conversations and actions you can take forward.
Event Details
Dates: Thursday 14 and Thursday 21 January 2027
Location: The Climb, Junction Building, University of Warwick
Time: 9:00 - 12:00 on both dates, followed by lunch (provided) and networking
Format: Two in-person morning workshops
Cost: Free to attend
Attendance: One representative per business, with a commitment to attend both sessions