Manufacturing firms in Swindon and Wiltshire can now access a new round of funding and expert support designed to help them adopt digital technology. The Made Smarter South West Adoption Programme, funded by the Department for Business and Trade, is now accepting applications to assist small and medium-sized businesses with digital projects, including the purchase of new hardware and software.
Eligible companies can receive match-funded grants ranging from £1,000 to £20,000, covering half of the total project costs. In addition to financial grants, the programme offers one-to-one advice, leadership training, and access to student talent. Businesses can receive up to 250 hours of fully funded internship support, with placements matched from students or recent graduates of the University of the West of England in areas such as engineering, data, and digital technology.
The initiative is delivered by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Cornwall Council, in partnership with the National Composites Centre and the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service. A new contract for the programme, valued at approximately £2.9 million, covers the period from April 2026 to March 2027, with the potential for extensions through to 2029.
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin stated that the programme has already provided significant support to businesses in the region. Since its inception, the project has awarded 49 grants totalling £675,000, which has in turn unlocked an equivalent amount in private investment to help local firms grow and innovate.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has secured £2.2 million in further funding to support these regional business innovation efforts through 2029. Manufacturers interested in the programme can register their interest by emailing [email protected].
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
