Innovation Leadership Programme
This programme has now ended. Please visit our Business Support page for information on current support and collaboration opportunities.
----------
The fully-funded Innovation Leadership programme at Keele University supports aspirational business leaders and early-stage entrepreneurs to develop the skills, knowledge and attributes to take their business to the next level.
Our last cohort of the Innovation Leadership programme commenced in October 2022, if you would like to find out about other ways that we can support your organisation please get in touch:
gateway@keele.ac.uk | 01782 733001

Your path to innovation led-growth
Delivered by a dedicated team of expert business leaders, academics and Entrepreneurs in Residence, the programme is fully-funded and exclusively open to small-to-medium sized businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are predominantly B2B.
- Zero cost to your business - Fully-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the only cost to your business is your time.
- Six two-day sessions – Working around you, the programme consists of 12 sessions across a six-month period.

Programme features
Gain access to:
- Coaching, advice and guidance
- A unique blend of action learning - including one-to-one sessions, peer review, activity-based learning, creative challenge-based activity and self-directed learning
- Innovation-focussed action plan development for your business
- Access to the latest thinking around innovation and social value, dedicated masterclasses and a unique innovation eco-system
Benefits to your business
- Dedicated time to focus on innovation and R&D as a strategic driver for your business growth
- Topics include; innovation and creativity, diversification, marketing, business development, funding and team dynamics.
- Apply world-leading research and knowledge on innovation leadership in order to produce a positive impact on your business’s bottom line
- Access to the wide scientific and technological infrastructure of Keele University
- Be part of a unique innovation network
- Learn from fellow hand-picked entrepreneurs and social innovators
The Keele University Innovation Leadership programme (also referred to as the Mercia Centre for Innovation Leadership programme) is delivered through the Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Ref: 32R17P01691). This programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the England Structural and Investments Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.