FAQs

What support can my business expect to get from the Flood Innovation Centre?

The Flood Innovation Centre provides eligible SMEs with fully funded consultancy via our tailor-made Support Packages including Innovation Support, and Community or Business Support packages, which can include a free flood survey.

Will there be a cost to my business?

No – providing your business is eligible, all support provided by the Flood Innovation Centre is fully funded.

I am worried about the UK’s departure from the EU, will this affect the project/my funded support?

No. UK organisations that secure funding through EU programmes, from now until the end of 2020, will be guaranteed by the UK government even in a no-deal scenario. The University confirmed its funding in 2019, so project funding is guaranteed until the project ends in June 2023.

Am I eligible?

The Flood Innovation Centre can support small or medium-size enterprises (SMEs) including Community organisations that are based, or are planning to locate, in the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Area – Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and North or North East Lincolnshire.

We are also able to provide support to SMEs based in a number of other specific geographic areas, including Cumbria, Devon, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and parts of Lancashire and the North East. The best way to find out if your project could be eligible is to complete our short online enquiry form.

Does the Flood Innovation Centre provide grants?

No, we provide non-financial support packages which include professional time and access to University of Hull facilities.

However, our sister project Sparkfund does offer grant support. Please get in touch and we can introduce you.

Do you work on flood protection for a business or private property?

We are able to work with eligible SMEs, including charities and community organisations, to help them understand and respond to their business property’s flood risk, as well as supporting them to develop new products, processes or services for the flood resilience market

Can you support Voluntary and Community Sector organisations?

Yes, if they are eligible and are looking to develop a new product, process or service for the flood resilience market or they have their own premises and would like to better understand their flood risk and options to develop flood resilience.

How can I register my interest in the Flood Innovation Centre?

Please use the Enquire Now link. A member of our team will contact you and guide you through the process.

Will my innovation ideas be protected and kept confidential?

Yes, our specification will include a non-disclosure agreement and a plan will be agreed early in the scoping process for managing intellectual property, if necessary and appropriate.

I am a new business, will I be able to access support?

When a business has been trading for less than 12 months, we may need to carry out additional financial checks.

What happens when I contact the Flood Innovation Centre?

The team will talk to you about your organisation’s specific needs. This can be done:

• over the phone
• via Zoom or other video-conferencing platforms
• or, as lockdown restrictions ease – we could come and see you at your premises
• or you can visit us on campus or at the Aura Innovation Centre.

This allows the team to work out how best to support your plans. There is no obligation on your part and anything you tell us will be treated as confidential. We won’t share your contact details with any third parties without your permission.

I have completed the online enquiry form, what happens next?

After completing the online form, we complete a number of eligibility checks on your business, a requirement of ERDF funding. These include details on the size and location of your business, some basic financial details and details of any business support that you have received over the past 3 years.

Providing we can confirm all of these initial checks, then we can get to work, discussing your idea, directing you to our specialist workshops or putting together your tailor-made Business Support, Community Support or Innovation Support Package