The CRL team is excited for entries for their next 6 month Accelerator programme to open for applications on 13 November

CRL’s Newsletter –

The CRL team is excited for entries for our next 6 month Accelerator programme to open for applications on 13 November. We’ve had some incredible companies go through the programme – including SafariSeat, Do It Kits, Aceleron, JOTO, as well as the incredible companies currently on it – so we can’t wait to see who comes through our door next!

We’ve also launched our third block of BOOST, which is on design and branding. Those running the sessions include James Duguid, a Design Council Associate, Mat Hunter, Managing Director of the CRL and Jim Reeves, co-founder of GravityLight. We’ve now launched three blocks of sessions – which provide expert advice for SMEs wanting to scale up – they’ve been designed to fit together, see details on block 1 here and block 2 here.

The countdown is on – 5 days until the launch of our next Accelerator programme

Our dynamic Accelerator programme supports entrepreneurs with getting their products market-ready, sourcing funding and all elements involved in establishing a successful, sustainable business.

Applications for the next programme will be opening on 13 November 2017.

See here for a breakdown of what our programme offers hardware entrepreneurs, as well as profiles on businesses that have previously been through the programme.

Contact mandy@centralresearchlaboratory.com to express an interest in the programme, we will also send you a reminder just before its launch.

BOOST #3 is here! – support for entrepreneurs in design and branding

The third block of BOOST has arrived. See below for all of the sessions offered; these are free for eligible companies (please see our website for more details).

Session 1, Thursday 30th November, 2pm – 6pm

Design Diagnostics: an introduction to the Business Opportunities Framework with James Duguid (part 1)

As part of this session, James will show you how to use this framework, created by the Design Council, to:

Prioritise all the design opportunities in your business
Explore vision and strategy – Internal issues and questions (e.g.. Should I license or produce my product myself?)
Understand customer & user – the marketplace
Identify what are the Design Opportunities around my; a) Brands and Communications, b) Products and Services, and c) Culture and Environment

Session 2, Tuesday 5th December, 10am – 5pm

Product Design Clinic with our team of experts, Mat Hunter, Jim Reeves & James Duguid (part 2)

(one-to-one session and time slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis)

Using the design framework as a diagnostic tool, our team of design experts (James Dujuid, Mat Hunter, and Jim Reeves) will help to focus on specific areas in the design framework that are most relevant to each business in their product design process.

The range of expertise around the table will enable each participant to identify potential flaws and opportunities to improve and provide more detailed mentorship, and put plans into a design brief / product delivery and sustainable growth plan.

Session 3, Wednesday 17th January, 2pm – 6pm

Branding and Product Design, Jim Reeves

The session will help you to explore the brand strategy of your business and understand how to more effectively;

Project the right values of your business/brand
Communicate more clearly with your ideal customers
Use ‘product design language’ (the role of physical look, feel, product materials and packaging) and how these can underpin and reinforce your brand message.

Each participant will share an overview of their brand DNA as they see it, and what they want end users to perceive their brand to represent.

Session 4, Wednesday 31st January, 2pm – 6pm

Design for Manufacturing, Jim Reeves

The session will explore in depth;