Bridging the Gap has been launched by the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC)  to support Greater Manchester based SMEs and new ventures who are looking at ways to exploit graphene within their commercial products and processes.

Through this opportunity SMEs will overcome challenges, and explore and apply graphene and other suitable 2D advanced materials in a very wide range of new applications and markets. 

Accessing the funding provided by this project is free if your business is eligible.

To be eligible for support you must:

• Be a business that has less than 250 employees and an annual turnover less than 50 million Euro

• Have a registered business address, or operational base, in the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership area (please contact us if you need help to confirm this).

The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) specialises in the rapid development and scale up new product and processes that rely on graphene and other 2D materials. It houses more than 35 specialist technical experts, and more than £10million of specialised equipment and resources.

The GEIC focuses on six application areas:

• Composites

• Energy

• Membranes

• Inks, Formulations and Coatings

• Graphene production

• Measurements and characterisation

A qualifying SME will have access to at least 12 hours of initial engagement and support, which may include:

• Expertise and facilities at the GEIC

• Technical and business qualification of new business ideas and products

• Support from graphene specialists

• Project planning

• Technical and market reports

• Workshops and events to learn more about graphene and 2D materials

• Support to prepare grant proposals

After this initial project, longer term fully funded development projects are also possible, using the world class expertise and facilities of the GEIC.

Graphene is a two-dimensional atomic crystal made up of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It belongs to a family of 2D advanced materials. 

Due to its unique combination of superior properties, graphene is a reliable starting point for new disruptive technologies across a wide range of applications.

The vast number of products, processes and industries for which graphene could create a significant impact all stems from its remarkable properties, making it ideal for countless applications.

• It is many times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible.

• It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent.

• It is the world’s first 2Dmaterial and is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

Transport, energy, electronics, medicine, desalination, wearables and more; the range of industries where potential graphene commercialisation can make an impact is substantial. 

If you’re based in Greater Manchester, and are an SME, the majority of our support is fully-funded meaning there is no cost to you or your business for this initial support. 

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It is delivered free of charge to participants through state aid. For a comprehensive guide to State Aid, please see the following gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/state-aid.

We work with businesses across all ten local authorities of Greater Manchester, an eligibility criterion applies to this support but we can help you check if your business is eligible if you contact us on esif.team@manchester.ac.uk.