Research, Innovate and Emerge (RIEm) is an exciting new business support project developed by Brunel University London (Brunel). The aim is to help SMEs strengthen their capacity to innovate, driving competitiveness and growth. Beta is working with Brunel to deliver a package of support to each SME taking part in the programme which includes:
- Research and innovation needs assessment;
- Creating a research and innovation strategy;
- Developing collaborative research projects and innovation funding proposals.
The support provided includes both group workshops and tailored individual mentoring, with support from February 2022 until July 2022. It’s expected that 25 SMEs will sign up to RIEm from across a range of business sectors including health and business services.
Industry and academic partnerships
Beta has been at the forefront of innovation for over 35 years, facilitating successful projects and partnerships between industry and academia in areas such as engineering, transport, agriculture, and health. Our understanding of industry needs and the offer from academic partners and finding common ground has built many successful projects. It’s exactly this experience and insight that Beta’s Richard Wrigley will be bringing to RIEm, providing real examples and case studies to the three innovation workshops being run by Brunel. SMEs attending the workshops will learn about how research and innovation can support their growth objectives, how to develop and implement a research and innovation strategy and the types of support funding available and how to access them.
Richard Wrigley, Managing Director of Beta said “we have been working with Brunel University now for a number of years to facilitate industry engagement and develop innovation projects. I look forward to working with Dr Michael Joseph at Brunel and the cohort of SMEs to make RIEm a real success.”

Find out more about the RIEm initiative here.