Frequently Asked Questions about Innovation Vouchers

This section provides further information about Innovation Vouchers based on the questions that are asked most frequently. if your question is not asked here, please do get in touch with Jackie Haslam at Fripp Design and Research.

What can you do for me with an Innovation Voucher?

This is very much dependent upon the nature of the project undertaken and at what stage, in the project ,Fripp Design and Research are engaged to help you out. What is included here are some typical examples:

"A client has an idea for a product, has done some basic market research to see if the idea has some commercial value and needs to get a prototype made"

Designing most products through to prototype is a lengthy process involving many stages (to find out more please visit the CAD Realisation section of the Fripp Design and Research website). For a budget of £3K it is unrealistic to expect any design company of any worth to be able to take an idea and develop it through to a physical prototype. Fripp Design and Research understand this when committing its own resources to 'in house' ideas that the company comes up with. Fortunately, there is a very cost effective 'first stage' prototyping solution based on the idea of creating photorealistic images of an idea, set in 'real world' scenarios, enabling all stake holders to buy into what the potential of the idea will be. These images can, typically used for web sites, brochures or simple photographs for distribution via email. Fripp design and Research have a website dedicated to 3D Rendering which is ideal for the value of an Innovation Voucher.

"A Client has a web based business idea but has no experience about how to test its validity (in terms of market, customers etc)"

Fripp Design and Research is a multi disciplined consultancy; it has to be as the company lives in the same environment as our clients. A key element of the company's on going success is its ability to understand the market it operates in and what the drivers are in that market. The company has much experience in developing winning sales/marketing strategies which are primarily based on web site and search engine optimisation. Many of the websites controlled by Fripp Design and Research are on page 1 of Google (including this site).

Complimenting this is the many years experience the company has in developing channels to market, this is explained in greater detail at www.channels4profit.com.

How Long Does a Project Take?

The length of a project is very much dependent upon the client as it is essential to get feedback at each stage of the process. it is the goal of Fripp Design and Research to complete any project within a month of the client being awarded their Innovation Voucher.

Can you help me with my application?

Fripp Design and Research is the number one private sector supplier of Innovation Vouchers in the Yorkshire and Humber region; consequently the company has gained great experience in helping clients submit their application.

Am I guaranteed an Innovation Voucher?

No. The decision whether an Innovation Voucher is accepted is with Business Link; however Fripp Design and Research understand the criteria for Innovation Vouchers and can advise on the likelihood of an application being accepted to enter the draw.

What do you mean by draw?

In the Yorkshire and Humber region Innovation Vouchers are entered into a monthly draw. Each month 50 Innovation Vouchers are awarded and notification is then sent to the entire supplier base. If you fail in 1 month, your application is normally entered into the following month's draw.

In the North East region Innovation Vouchers are administered differently by Business Link in the North East. Business Link in the North East is your first point of contact to answer this query.

I have specified Fripp design and Research as the preferred supplier yet I'm getting lots of calls from other companies?

Under the terms of the Yorkshire and Humber Innovation Voucher scheme, all suppliers are given notice about the projects which have successfully received an Innovation Voucher and all suppliers have the right to talk to the client about what they could potentially deliver for the client. The client then has ultimate decision with who they place the voucher.

In the North East, if a client specifically specifies a supplier then no other supplier is notified.

Why should I choose Fripp Design and Research over a University with all of its resources?

Universities are centres of excellence for Research, however Innovation is about the commercial exploitation of research, something the private sector is expert in; it is how and why the private sector competes. More specifically, Fripp Design and Research is a commercial, private sector knowledge provider that understands the challenges of running and competing for business; the private sector has to give clients value for money as clients are its only source of income. Most academics are not comfortable with this, specifically the notion of having to hit deadlines and provide clients with the commercial value that is expected (even demanded) of the private sector.

And how does Fripp Design and Research know and understand this? The company works very closely with Sheffield University on a number of projects and it is fair to say that Fripp Design and Research is normally leading the University in delivering against project objectives; both in terms of time and budget.

Can i have more than 1 Voucher?

A SME may receive a maximum of two vouchers and can only have one ‘active’ voucher at any point in time. Therefore a second (and final) voucher application can only be submitted once the first Innovation Project is complete and the voucher has been claimed. The total amount of Innovation Voucher funding a company can receive is £10,000. Therefore a company can apply for two £3,000 Innovation Vouchers, or one £7,000 Innovation Voucher and one £3,000 Innovation Voucher. The £7,000 voucher must be matched by the company.