CCR’s Cluster Development & Growth Programme

Scope of Requirement Interventions may include short, sharp intensive activities such as digital accelerator Academies / Bootcamps, series of mini events, workshops etc and longer-term programmes. As a cross cutting theme, we wish to tackle wider societal challenges of attracting and supporting females and under-represented groups into careers and well-paid “digital” roles, within the region. Tenderers are encouraged to identify and leverage wider sources of skills funding and initiatives to maximise the scope opportunity. Interventions will comprise; - New Skill Talent skills activities which fast-track individuals into industry and jobs, from under-represented groups, which may include under-employed, unemployed, graduates, career returners and career convertors. - Activities will be designed to support barriers and challenges, ensuring flexibility, to enable the above participants to complete training around work, caring commitments etc. and offer a guaranteed job interview on completion. A barriers fund may be included to support participants. - Upskilling interventions for businesses at technical & / or managerial / leadership level, aligned to current and future digital skills gaps, supporting enhanced productivity, innovation, and growth. This may include training, sharing of best practice & the development of data community networks and peer groups. Main Objectives Exact skills interventions will be determined during the discovery phase; however, it is anticipated interventions will seek to develop capability across the following skillsets: - AI (Artificial Intelligence) - Data Science & Analytics - Cloud, Systems & Infrastructure - Cyber Security & Risk - Software Development / Engineering

Scope of Requirement A series of upskilling and new talent interventions may be short, sharp intensive activities, series of mini events &/or workshops, and / or longer-term programmes. To maximise the scope and impact of activities, tenderers are encouraged to identify wider sources of skills funding and look to collaborate with existing initiatives if appropriate. As a cross cutting theme, CCR wish to ensure distributed impact across the region, particularly supporting SMEs within the Northern Valleys. Interventions may include; - A series of business workshops, webinars, lunch & learn / breakfast events etc to inform and guide, share best practice and provide networking opportunities for business leaders. - Upkskilling activities designed to reskill / upskill employees at technical & / or managerial / leadership level to support ESG & decarbonisation goals. - New Talent skills activities which fast-track under-employed, unemployed, graduates, career returners and career convertors into “Net Zero” related jobs, designed with flexibility, to enable participants to complete training around work, caring commitments and offer a guaranteed job interview on completion. Main Objectives Skills interventions will support fintech, MedTech, creative, cyber, semiconductor cluster businesses and wider CCR infrastructure / investment programmes, as determined during the Discovery Phase. Interventions may include, but not limited to; - Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). - Sustainability Management - Energy, Resource Circularity and Decarbonisation - Green Infrastructure and Mobility - Green Technologies

Scope of Requirement This programme will enable businesses to access academic research & development and innovation services to support develop solutions to industry challenges. This programme will build academic consortia in HE and FE to enable knowledge transfer across CCRs priority sectors. Businesses will gain access to academic expertise, technology and skills through direct interactions with world-leading academics and enter into short, rapid and targeted collaborative projects. This intervention will complement existing and planned government, public sector and private sector initiatives supporting industry led research and development. It is proposed a strong consortium of multi-disciplinary expertise is built to support meeting industry challenges. With a ringfenced pot of funding available for a number of short, rapid and targeted intervention providing a means to formalise engagements and industry-academic partnerships. Main Objectives Support the building of a strong consortia of academic expertise, focusing upon centres of excellence, thus providing a regional multi-disciplinary approach to industry collaboration. Establish a new partnership or consolidate an existing collaboration between the institution and business through knowledge exchange activity. Enable accelerated access to academic expertise, to evaluate or develop an innovative idea for the business, in the form of product, service or business model development. Stimulate demand within the CCR business community, to deliver further innovation and accelerate delivery through the partnership.

Scope of Requirement This programme will support scale-ups to address barriers to growth nationally and abroad. The programme will provide participants with invaluable skills, a powerful network including investors and potential clients to support companies at this critical stage of the business lifecycle. This intervention will complement other government and private sector initiatives, focusing efforts on supporting high growth, high potential businesses scale. Helping build a world-leading sector and enhance CCR’s reputation as a place to grow business. Main Objectives The growth programme will include the following elements: 1. Customised support: tailored support and resources based on the specific needs and challenges of each Participant. 2. Intensive mentorship: access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts who can offer personalized guidance and advice. 3. Specialised workshops and training: specialised training and workshops focused on topics such as fundraising, leadership, and product development. 4. Access to exclusive events: access to exclusive events and opportunities to network with other high potential companies, investors, and industry leaders. 5. Funding opportunities: offer funding opportunities such as seed capital, grants, or access to investors with a track record of supporting high potential companies. 6. Strategic partnerships: facilitating strategic partnerships with industry leaders, accelerators, or other organizations that can help drive growth and innovation. The expectation is that the Tenderer will conduct an initial ‘discovery phase’ to gather the evidence necessary to design a growth studio programme that is evidence based and demand led - thus ensuring a suitable fit with the needs of the Cardiff Capital Region. Provide customised support and resources to help high potential companies scale up their businesses with the ambition to secure their next raise. Offer intensive mentorship, training, and access to specialised resources to help companies overcome common challenges and achieve their goals. At least one trade mission abroad to boost the internationalisation of the cohort, alongside another retreat for networking amongst cohort peers. Facilitate strategic partnerships and access to funding opportunities to help companies achieve their growth targets.