Made in Britain and the British Design Fund have launched a joint initiative
to champion manufacturing innovation, collaboration and growth in 2023.
The initiative will kick off in January 2023 with the launch of a series of joint webinars for Made in Britain members.
The British Design Fund (BDF) is the only fund in the UK that invests exclusively in early-stage product design and manufacturing businesses. With a mission to boost homegrown enterprise and innovation, the BDF works with these British start-ups – providing a range of support, including mentorship – to scale their products, accelerate growth and build long term value for both investors and business owners.
Made in Britain brings together British SME manufacturers united by the licensed use of the Made in Britain registered, collective mark. Additionally, member companies receive support across exports, sales, marketing and PR; feature in a public, searchable product directory showcasing British-made goods; and enjoy access to the organisation’s Green Growth sustainability programme.
The UK manufacturing sector has an annual output of £183 billion and employs 2.5 million people* – while the design economy is growing at twice the UK average, contributing £97.4bn in GVA to the UK economy and providing employment to 1.97 million people.**
Made in Britain CEO John Pearce said: “In the tenth year of the Made in Britain initiative, I’m delighted to announce a new collaboration with the British Design Fund. This partnership will enable us to play a greater role in connecting innovative, young British companies with a wide spectrum of experienced manufacturers within our community to help turn their ideas and IP into a reality.”
British Design Fund CEO Damon Bonser said: “At the British Design Fund, we celebrate and support the design and innovation skills which drive so much of our growth in Britain - so we are delighted to be partnering with Made in Britain to support more of the great ideas produced in the UK being manufactured in this country too.”
The two organisations are jointly launching a series of webinars that will be held during the first half of 2023. The first webinar will take place in January 2023 to introduce the British Design Fund to Made in Britain’s community of manufacturing companies – with a focus on how the BDF selects investments, supports and mentors some of the UK’s brightest entrepreneurs.