Kene Partners | B Corp™

🎉 We're thrilled to welcome four exciting new members to the team! Meet Nathan, Lily, Matt and Claire, who bring a diverse set of skills and experience to our growing team: 💼 Nathan Hulcoop, our seasoned sales and business development pro, has over 20 years of experience with some of the UK’s most innovative and disruptive companies. He’s all about creating value, exceeding expectations, and partnering strategically to help clients achieve their goals. Nathan’s passion for growth and knack for leadership will fuel even more exciting partnerships. 🌟 Lily McKeown graduated with a BSc in Health and Performance Science from University College Dublin and with a background in financial operations at a law firm, she’s going to keep things running smoothly. We can’t wait to see her make waves across the business. 🚀 Matthew Thomas joins us as our Grants Implementation & Delivery Lead. With over five years in grants management and certifications in Scrum Master, Agile PM, and PRINCE2, he’s the master of making complex projects look easy. His experience includes leading multimillion-pound projects across continents and revolutionising grant support at Oxford. We’re thrilled to have his expertise boost our client services. 🧪 Dr Claire Flanagan, our new Grants Lead, is a highly experienced innovation consultant and grant writer who can help SMEs secure R&D grant funding. She's also a powerhouse in the world of sustainable chemistry and biotechnology, with a PhD in Chemistry/Molecular Biology. Claire’s passion for driving innovation and sustainability will make a significant impact on our team. We’re excited for the energy, perspectives and talent that our new joiners have already brought to Kene Partners. More big things to come! 🙌✨ Meet the rest of our team: https://lnkd.in/e9E8mkAH

🚀 Exciting Funding Opportunities for UK-Based Innovators 🚀 This week, Innovate UK launched its Launchpad programme, providing extensive support for UK-based businesses across various sectors and regions, aligning with the UK government’s vision for local economic growth. Our grant writer Dr Claire Flanagan, shares more details in her post ⬇️ We've got you covered on all things grants! 📩 Email Claire at claire@kene.partners to discuss how we can support you in securing funding for your innovation journey. 📩 Email Matt at matt@kene.partners for support managing any current grant funding.

🚀 Exciting Funding Opportunities Have Just Opened! 🚀 With the recent budget announcement, Innovate UK has *doubled* the number of active funding competitions, opening 12 new opportunities yesterday alone, offering nearly £40 million across a range of fields, including quantum computing, bio-based manufacturing, health and life sciences, agri-tech, and AI. 🌍 This year’s budget emphasises building innovation clusters across the UK, and we’re seeing regional launchpads open in Wales, Coventry & Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If you’re ready to explore funding for a new idea or need guidance on managing a current project, our team is here to help. We offer end-to-end support, from confirming eligibility to managing the application process, so you can make the most of these incredible opportunities. Learn more about R&D grants here: https://lnkd.in/eECGSBpf 📩 We've got you covered on all things grants! Email Claire at claire@kene.partners to discuss how we can support you in securing funding for your innovation journey. Email Matt at matt@kene.partners for support managing any current grant funding. #InnovationFunding #GrantOpportunities #SME #ProjectFunding #AgriTech #LifeSciences #QuantumComputing #RegionalLaunchpads #InnovateUK #FundingSupport

🌟 Monday blues? Good news — we're hiring! 🌟 We're on the hunt for a Finance Manager who’s ready to make a meaningful impact in our dynamic team. Under the expert guidance Gemma Smith, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping our financial strategy and supporting our growth. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s about strategic thinking, collaboration, and driving results. We value a genuine approach, and we’re looking for someone who can balance expertise with relatability. If you’re ready to dive into a role where your contributions matter, we want to hear from you! Check out all the details here: https://lnkd.in/e7xpmTtv Don't hesitate to reach out to Gemma or Anna Stevens if you have any questions — we're a friendly bunch 😊 #Hiring #FinanceManager #FinanceCareers

🚨 Must read for UK innovators! 🚨 One of our resident grant experts, Matthew Thomas, summarises the key takeaways for the Autumn Statement for UK innovators ⬇️

🔊 New partnership announcement 🔊 We're thrilled to be partnering with BESA Group to empower more SMEs in the building engineering services sector! BESA’s commitment to supporting the highest standards across building engineering services makes them an invaluable resource for companies driving innovation in the industry. Through this partnership, BESA Members can tap into our expertise in R&D tax credits, the patent box, and innovation grants—bringing essential funding within reach to fuel real growth and innovation in building services. We’re excited to support the ambitious projects and ideas that are shaping the future of the UK’s built environment. Watch this space!

📢 Funding Alert for Welsh Media Innovators 📢 The Media Cymru Scale Up Round 2 competition is now open, offering between £100,000 - £250,000 to drive innovation in the Welsh media sector. This is a fantastic opportunity for projects focused on: 🔹 New media formats and immersive storytelling (XR, VR, AR, MR) 🔹 Advanced media production, virtual production, and decarbonization initiatives 🔹 AI and new technologies in media 🔹 Inclusive, bilingual/multilingual production ...and much more! If your project aligns with the competition’s goals, then this is an opportunity not to miss. Led by Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd and 22 key partners, Media Cymru aims to establish the Cardiff Capital Region as a world-leading hub for media production and sustainable growth. Project size: £100-250K Duration: Up to 12 months Deadline: December 4th 2024 Want to apply? Contact us to learn more about maximising your chances of success. 📩 Email Dr Claire Flanagan at claire@kene.partners or book a free consultation with us here: https://lnkd.in/emYJkGpX #FundingOpportunity #MediaInnovation #WelshMedia #MediaFunding #VirtualProduction #Decarbonization #InnovationGrants #CreativeWales #AIinMedia #ImmersiveStorytelling #SustainableMedia #BilingualProduction #GrantWriting #SMEs #ApplyNow

🚀 Breaking Down the Autumn Budget 2024: What It Means for UK R&D and Business Innovation 🚀 Rt Hon Rachel Reeves has set a transformative course with The Labour Party's first Autumn Budget, including a landmark £20 billion investment in R&D. This budget prioritizes fields like engineering, biotechnology, and medical sciences, demonstrating a strong commitment to “Innovation in Science and Technology.” 💼 From increased National Insurance contributions to maintaining essential R&D tax reliefs and adjusting inheritance tax, these updates bring both opportunities and challenges for UK businesses. How will these changes impact your organization’s growth and innovation strategy? Our latest article breaks down the key implications of the Autumn Budget 2024, covering: - National Insurance Increase: Employer contributions rise from 13.8% to 15%. - R&D Tax Relief Stability: Retaining a 25% corporation tax cap to support UK innovation. - Minimum Wage Increase: Wage boost to support the workforce amid rising costs. - Inheritance Tax Adjustments: New caps for agricultural land and family businesses. 📊 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eaBsHEVp #AutumnBudget2024 #Innovation #RandD #UKBudget #LabourParty

📢 R&D tax credit rates remain unchanged! 📢 With Labour's first Budget for 14 years, Ms Rt Hon Rachel Reeves the country's first female Chancellor, announced some important updates to the UK tax regime. For Research and Development, the Chancellor’s investment is at an all-time high, representing Labour’s renewed commitment to ‘Innovation in Science and Technology’ after a number of changes to the incentives in recent years: £20 billion is set aside for R&D, with £6.1 billion allocated to core research in engineering, biotechnology, and medical sciences. Other updates include changes to pension pots (with freezes extended until 2030) and inheritance tax — including a cap on the relief of inheritance for agricultural land and family businesses. The minimum wage is set to increase, along with Capital Gains tax. Our full run-down on the budget will be published shortly for a more in depth analysis. #Innovation #RDTaxCredits #TaxRelief #BusinessGrowth #ChancellorStatement #UKInvestment #InnovationInScience #RDInvestment #EconomicGrowth #AutumnBudget2024 #CapitalGainsTax

📢 Another major win for SMEs 📢   A Tribunal has just ruled against HM Revenue & Customs in a groundbreaking case that could be the breakthrough SMEs have been waiting for. Collins Construction Ltd, with the support of their advisor, took HMRC to court after their R&D Tax Credit claims were denied on the grounds of being "subsidised" or "sub-contracted." The Tribunal confirmed that HMRC’s interpretation was off the mark – bringing clarity to rules that have caused frustration for SMEs for years.   🌟 Why does this matter? This ruling could make a significant impact on future claims, offering SMEs more confidence and clarity when investing in R&D. We’ll keep a close eye on further developments, but it’s a hopeful step toward ensuring that deserving businesses get the relief they need to grow and innovate.   💬 Want to know what this could mean for your R&D tax claims? This ruling might just be the support your business has been waiting for. Get in touch: https://lnkd.in/emYJkGpX