Sole traders, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)*
STEAMhouse Create Programme
STEAMhouse Create is a 12-month ERDF funded programme for resource-poor businesses to make their new product, project, or service ideas a reality.
Keep Me Informed
STEAMhouse Create is a 12-month ERDF funded programme for resource-poor businesses to make their new product, project, or service ideas a reality.
The STEAMhouse Create Programme is powered by Birmingham City University in partnership with Eastside Projects with additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Sole traders, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)*
A business support programme to help you learn, plan, connect and make
No cost for eligible SME’s thanks to funding from Birmingham City University, ERDF and
Eastside Projects.
12 months
Get inspired and learn new skills in our interactive online and IRL short courses and workshops. Get to grips with the latest creative software, join our Materials Club, attend our wide-ranging business support events, or get making with our courses in a box, delivered to your door.
Access regular 1-2-1’s and collaborative workshops with our team of specialists. We have extensive real-world experience in all aspects of idea and business development. We’ll guide and advise you on idea generation, design, development, funding, manufacturing, materials, marketing, administration, and more! Check out our team profiles to find a skills match for your project.
Join STEAMhouse Create and become part of a community of practice. We’ll get to know your business and facilitate introductions to other members, organisations, and partners to extend your network, and uncover new opportunities. Attend regular STEAMhouse socials and make new connections by uploading your profile to our community website where you will be able make contact with your fellow STEAMhouse members.
Prototype and develop physical products. Access the Production Space Workshops and equipment (including 3D printers, CNC machines, waterjet cutters, biomaterials lab, woodworking machinery, hot and cold metal fabrication, immersive reality lab and digital print). Our technical specialists will advise you how to make your ideas a reality, or how to work with industry to scale up.
We were able to achieve, through the knowledge and support of STEAMhouse Create Programme, a new product within a critical timeframe
Stephen O’Hare and Mevlit D’Jafer, O’Hare & D’Jafer
When you become a STEAMhouse Create member, our team are always on hand to advise you on what to do next. If you need advanced expertise on a specific topic, you can also apply for our Academic Advisory service. Designed to advance projects already in development, Academic Advisory will challenge and push your thinking in new directions. Check out our cohort of STEAMhouse Academics here.
STEAMhouse Create is first and foremost a community. We support you to make new connections and access new perspectives to help your ideas flourish. Experiment with others in our collaborative STEAM Lab workshops, or discuss your work with peers at our In Conversation events. Collaboration is at the heart of all STEAMhouse activities.
Learn new digital skills in our workshops and short courses. Connect with our technical specialists to find out how AR, VR, digital fabrication and 3D printing can advance your ideas.
Our business support specialists will advise you on how to research potential markets and create products, services, or projects that meet real-world needs.
STEAMhouse Create members are eligible to apply for grants of up to £2,500 to help make your ideas a reality. Our business development specialists have vast experience in business administration, funding, bid writing and evaluation. Schedule 1-2-1’s with us and attend workshops led by industry practitioners to increase your financial confidence.
Our technical specialists will advise you on appropriate production processes and manufacturing techniques. Reduce risk by testing small scale prototypes via our Bureau service, then work with our team to ready your ideas for scale-up.
*The STEAMhouse Create Programme is open to sole traders, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises who are based in England, with priority to those based in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) region, with a focus on four sectors:
Monthly intake
Each month we select up to 20 applicants to become STEAMhouse Create Programme members. Members get access to exclusive online events, technical and business support, remote prototyping facilities, and a wide network of members, academics and like-minded businesses.
Length of membership
Membership lasts until March 2023.
Cost
Because the programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, members get all the benefits of the STEAMhouse Create Programme at no cost.
More details about the STEAMhouse Create Programme
You will find full details of the programme, packages, and eligibility in our info pack. Please read through carefully before applying (STEAMhouse Create Programme is referred to as STEAMhouse 1.5 in the info pack ).
We strongly recommend you attend a STEAMhouse Create Programme Pre-Application Workshop before completing a new application.
Following the Pre-Application Workshop we will invite you to complete our online application form. It will ask for information about the concept you wish to develop, and a short proposal describing what you want the STEAMhouse Create Programme to support you with.
The application deadline is 3pm on the last day of every month. We review applications in the first week of the month and aim to contact all applicants within three weeks with a decision.
If you would like to apply for the STEAMhouse Create Programme, please visit our events listings and register for the next available STEAMhouse Create Programme Pre-Application Workshop.
Ready to apply now?
Created in partnership with Eastside Projects and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Arts Council England, we’re driving innovation and research for major long-term growth across the region. Bringing inventors, entrepreneurs, businesses and craftspeople together to develop exciting new ideas and products.
