Low Carbon Solent

The £1.9m Low Carbon Solent (LCS) project worked to accelerate the creation, commercialisation and uptake of low carbon technologies by developing an active cluster of low-carbon companies collaborating with research institutions and developing new-to-the-firm products and services. The project also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions through its various project activities.

The project offered the following services:
WP1: Cohort-based programme of support (workshops, webinars, events,
networking)
WP2: Postgraduate student projects focussed on specific challenges in
developing low carbon technologies or addressing challenges to make the host
SME more competitive
WP3: Innovation grants that help SMEs develop new low-carbon products,
processes or services that increase their competitiveness.

Low Carbon Solent was an SME support project, funded through ERDF and UK government. It combined the knowledge and expertise of the University of Portsmouth - lead partner, the University of Winchester and the cleantech cluster, Greentech South. Through this project, SMEs could access postgraduate student projects, innovation support and networking events.

The final assessment of the LCS was conducted between April and May 2023 based
on a combination of evaluation tools with inputs and analysis from official contracts
and claims, survey responses from 22 project beneficiaries, interviews with a
selection of beneficiaries and wider stakeholders, a Delivery Team workshop and a
Management Team workshop.

All companies that benefited from the LCS project were micro or small companies with
fewer than 50 FTE employees. A large majority (91.8%) of companies were micro-companies.

- 77.3% of beneficiaries were very satisfied or satisfied with LCS services.
- Innovation grants and workshops/webinars were most useful.
- 31.82% of companies reported increased revenue; 18.18% improved productivity; 31.82% improved sustainability; and 18.18% increased robustness.
- 90.9% of SMEs made progress in launching new-to-firm products/services due to LCS.
- 54% created at least one job, 59% safeguarded one. 47 new jobs were created, and 24 jobs safeguarded across 12 companies.
- 59.1% reported new collaborations with research institutions, including Portsmouth, Southampton, Exeter, and Plymouth Universities.
- 50% of companies were badly affected by the pandemic, but 20% reported positive impacts, such as efficiency gains, recruitment, and digitalisation.
- Every £1 invested in LCS generated £11.94.
- Future interests: more funding, scaling, scientific collaboration, marketing, and networking.