Due to our funding coming to an end, the ERDF funded CREST project will be closing on 30th June 2023. Therefore, we are unable to take on any new business support projects at this time. We recommend contacting the Marches Growth Hub for any business support enquiries.
About CREST@UCS
The Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) offers free support to SMEs who want to reduce their environmental impact, or innovate and develop new products or services.
Our multi-disciplinary team of experts will work closely with your business, undertaking any research required to test or provide academic credibility to your project. They can offer advice and support to bring new products and services to market; develop processes to save time and/or money; understand markets (e.g. market research, introduction to buyers and suppliers) and develop successful business models.
Based at University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS), Shropshire, CREST is a £2.3M European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project set up in partnership with Reaseheath College. More recently, University of Birmingham have joined the partnership.
We can offer:
- 12 hours of business innovation support
- The potential for longer term research and knowledge sharing projects
- Themed innovation events, workshops and masterclasses
- Access to a team of academic experts and state-of-the-art laboratory
- Access to drones and a geospatial service
- Specialised business support to help turn your idea into a commodity
- Links to University of Birmingham ARLI business support programme
- Networking and collaboration through our business support networks
- Contacts for student placements and internships
Eligibility
There are some exceptions, but generally your business will need to be:
- Based in and/or trading from Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin, business to business
- With fewer than 250 employees
- Turnover less than the equivalent of 50 million Euros per annum, or a balance sheet of less than 43 million Euros
The following sectors are ineligible for ERDF support through CREST:
- Retail
- Building and decommissioning of nuclear power stations
- Provision of local social welfare facilities e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations, child-minding facilities, sports facilities, parks, public libraries
- Coastal protection, soil conservation and infrastructures; all with an exclusively agricultural bias, reforestation and prevention of forest fires. This does not include green infrastructure which is eligible under ERDF
- Building and renovation of housing, except for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy operations.
- Major infrastructure in private sector ports
- Agriculture and primary production
Contact us to turn your ideas into reality and make a real difference:
Contact us to turn your ideas into reality and make a real difference:
CREST@UCS
University Centre Shrewsbury
Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY3 8HQ
The Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology.