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HI NENC are dedicated to driving innovation across the healthcare sector, collaborating with partners to transform ideas into impactful solutions. Chloe Blewitt, Project Manager at HI NENC explains the support available to businesses from navigating the Innovation Pathway to participating in the Tees Valley Innovation Challenge.

Discover how HI NENC are helping to bring innovative products and services to life, enhancing patient care, and contributing to economic growth in the region. Read more in Chloe's blog.

The Tees Valley Innovation Challenge Showcase is set to take place in early March 2025, and we are on the lookout for a prime venue to host this flagship event. This is a unique procurement opportunity for Tees Valley-based venues to be at the heart of a dynamic gathering of local innovators, business leaders, and social enterprises.

Harry Ridpath, Senior Design Associate at Edge Innovation, explores the delicate balance between structure and creativity in innovation. While creativity thrives in moments of spontaneous inspiration, structure and routine are crucial for bringing those ideas to life.

Community transport is a lifeline for many, ensuring access to essential services for those who might otherwise be isolated. Susan, Head of Projects at Edge Innovation Ltd, shares her extensive experience with community transport initiatives, highlighting the profound impact these services have on individuals and communities.

Innovation is not just about creating something new; it's about making impactful improvements. Effective innovation uses Design-Thinking principles to develop user-centric, feasible, and viable solutions. The Tees Valley Innovation Challenge Programme led by Edge Innovation offers free training and coaching to eligible SMEs, helping them turn ideas into sustainable solutions through a structured process, read more about how to employ innovation coaching to deliver real impact.

Unlock the power of Design Thinking with Edge Innovation Training, now available for free to eligible SMEs in the Tees Valley, thanks to the Tees Valley Combined Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Our comprehensive programme, based on the Design Council’s Double Diamond process—Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver—guides you from user empathy to solution delivery. Join the next cohort starting on the 7th of June alongside 12 other local organisations in hands-on sessions with real-time project support and access to digital resources. Elevate your product and service development, regardless of your stage, and develop your innovation capabilities to boost your business growth. Don't miss this opportunity to innovate now!

Discover how Hartlepower's ground-breaking project, fuelled by the Tees Valley Business Challenge, transformed lives in Hartlepool. They have tackled fuel poverty head-on, installing air source heat pumps and solar panels in Greatham village. Despite challenges, the results are impressive, with a resident reporting an efficient energy system. As they look to the future, Hartlepower's success paves the way for larger environmental initiatives. Join the celebration of community-driven change and innovation!

At Edge, we have been working in collaboration with Gateshead Council to create a new networking event series for businesses in the Baltic Quarter to help them identify new collaborative opportunities, learn about the latest trends, and share insights. After months of research and valuable discussions, we successfully launched our first networking event in the series, receiving excellent feedback. In this blog, you will learn how we created an event series from scratch and all the things you need to consider if you want to build your own.  

E-scooters have, at times, been hailed as the saviour in micro mobility and transportation. The way to reduce cars from our towns and cities whilst decarbonising travel. But with less than two weeks to go before Paris calls its public vote to decide their fate on the 2 April, is it time to rethink the future of e-scooters within the UK?

We have been working with industry experts MicroMobility Partners on a new project to design innovative approaches to solve safety-related issues associated with e-scooter use. We are looking for your input on the use of e-scooters and are inviting you to fill out a quick survey to voice your concerns or opinions on potential safety solutions.