Independent UK Laser Organizations

Association of Industrial Laser Users (AILU)

The Association of Industrial Laser Users (AILU) is an independent non-profit making organisation that serves the needs and interests of the industrial laser community and helps people make the most of laser technology. The web site has been developed as a primary source of technical, product and service information about industrial lasers and their applications, plus news from the UK and international industrial laser community.

National Radiological Protection Board

NRPB provides a range of non-ionising radiation services to industry, research and educational establishments, the medical sector and enforcing officers.

UKCPO: UK Consortium for Photonics and Optics

Welcome to the home page of the . The UKCPO is an umbrella organisation for organisations which represent all aspects of Photonics and Optics in the United Kingdom.

British Medical Laser Association

The British Medical Laser Association is a scientific society established to promote, for the benefit of the public the application of laser technology in medicine by: Promoting the safe operation of lasers in the treatment of human disease; Promoting research and development in laser technology in medicine and by the publication of the useful results of such research; Establishing standards in the medical application of lasers; Promoting collaboration and understanding between clinical and scientific disciplines in the field of laser application.

The Entertainment Laser Association

ELA is committed to promoting the safe use of lasers for entertainment purposes through extensive research & development, innovative marketing and liaison with professional bodies. The new millennium will see stronger links with Local Authorities and EHO's in order to ensure that high standards of laser operation are 'provided' by ELA Members and 'expected' by the entertainment industry and regulatory bodies.

Business Support Organisations

National

Department of Trade & Industry

Department of Trade & Industry grants - Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) and the Enterprise Grant Scheme (EGS) - designed to help qualifying companies with expansion projects and job creation. There are also customised support packages for training, recruitment and staff induction.

DTI Manufacturing Advisory Service

The Manufacturing Advisory Service Website This site is specifically designed to help UK manufacturers, large and small, to identify sources of manufacturing related support and expertise

The Manufacturing Institute

Recently appointed by the DTI and NWDA as the North West's Regional Centre for Manufacturing Excellence delivering The DTI Manufacturing Advisory Service.

DTI Small Business Service

Grant for Research and Development is the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) initiative that provides grants to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.

Inside UK Technology

Helps companies stay up to date on technological developments likely to affect their industry and also helps technology developers and innovation support organisations reach a wide industry audience. Links to innovative exchange forums and websites on technological areas

NorthWest of England

The Northwest Development Agency

The Northwest Development Agency is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest through the promotion of business competitiveness, efficiency, investment, employment and skills development, including the Single Regeneration Budget which is a key resource to deliver the Regional Strategy for economic development, raising skills and regeneration.

Government Office for the North West

The Government Office works with central departments and regional partners to strengthen the competitiveness of the North West economy, its businesses and its people. Ensures that national policies for business support investment and European Funds are appropriately delivered through regional strategies and that national strategies take full account of regional needs and circumstances.

Merseyside & Wirral

eu&merseyside

Information about the Objective One programme on Merseyside including forms and guidance for ERDF and ESF bids. Steps for developing a bid which meets the criteria for Objective One funding are given.

Wirral Waterfront

'Wirral Waterfront' - seeks to link need with opportunity as we continue to build on the regeneration work along Wirral's side of the River Mersey

Wirral Direct

Wirral Direct offers you a fast, friendly service, backed by solid information, helpful advice and every type of support to make your move or expansion as easy as possible. If your business needs advice and guidance, this is how Wirral Direct can help

Business Link for Greater Merseyside

Business Link for Greater Merseyside offers easy access to the best independent professional advice available to small and medium sized businesses based within Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. They are also able to offer you a reduction of up to 40% off their fees, with the help of European Funding - helping you to grow your business.
If you are a Greater Merseyside small or medium sized enterprise (SME) or an individual starting up a new business you are eligible. An SME is defined as a business with less than 250 employees. Not more than 25% of an SME can be owned by a company that is not an SME (i.e. has more than 250 employees). Greater Merseyside includes:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. Please note - any SME defined as retail sector is not currently able to obtain funding.

The Merseyside Special Investment Fund

The Merseyside Special Investment Fund provides businesses with loans (not grants) and equity packages (where a stake is taken in the company) from £3000 up to £2million. Loans from £3000 to £100,000 are available from MSIF's £20m Small Firms Fund and the MSIF Mezzanine Fund * also £20m- offers loans from £100,000 to £1m. The £40m Venture Fund provides equity packages - where MSIF takes a stake in the company * of up to £2million.

Motivating Merseyside Business to Innovate

MMBI is a unique initiative aimed attechnology based small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on Merseyside. Funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA). The project focuses on offering support to business to further develop new ideas, products and services by successfully accessing business networks, technologies and essential funding.

Merseyworld

MerseyWorld, the portal for Merseyside, promotes the interests of local businesses on the Internet for free.Greater Merseyside SME's can also take advantage of the services provided by Connect Internet Solutions through the 'Growing Business Development - Merseyside' programme.

Other

j4b.co.uk

j4b.co.uk - for a comprehensive grants resource database . j4b.co.uk allows quick and simple searches of the constantly updated j4b database of business grants and loans - the most comprehensive database of its kind in the UK.

ukonlineforbusiness

Local Authorities will be required to purchase online by 2005 and, to encourage and help over 800,000 suppliers throughout the UK to take advantage of this opportunity, UK online of business has launched dedicated pages on their website on e-procurement & supplier adoption.

The Sunday Times Enterprise Network

As the UK's premier membership organisation for senior managers of middle market companies, the Enterprise Network is dedicated to helping business professionals like you succeed. Simply go to the 'Become a Member' section to learn about all the benefits of membership.

The UK Patent Office

are responsible for Intellectual Property (Copyright, Designs, Patents and Trade Marks) in the UK and provide on their website
Newcomers guide
Trade Marks identify the products or services of particular traders
Copyright gives protection to the creators of certain kinds of material
Designs protect the outward shape and appearance of a product
Patents protect working parts and processes

Small Business Finance

Might help you cut through the confusing world of small business finance and put yourself on an equal footing with the finance experts.