Four Lincolnshire food companies are celebrating success after they each secured £5,000 of ‘innovation vouchers’ from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

The Fabulous Smoothie Company, A Little Luxury, Laddies’ Ice Cream and Emilio’s Muffins were chosen to receive the funding after submitting their ideas to the TSB for new or improved products, processes and services.

The vouchers provide funding so that the businesses can work with an external expert, gaining new knowledge to help their businesses innovate, develop and grow.  The businesses above have chosen to work with the University of Lincoln at The National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), Holbeach Campus.

Linda McWatt, Senior Lecturer at NCFM, said: “Congratulations to all four businesses on their success.  We look forward to working with them over the next few months to support their drive for innovation and business growth by developing new products and advising on packaging and labelling requirements.  In addition, we offer access to specialist processing equipment and we work in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council through the SUSTAIN initiative to support and advise on innovation in sustainable product and process development”.

Val Braybrooks, Dean of Holbeach Campus, added: “Technology Strategy Board funding is intended to support employer driven innovation and research and these small grants are an excellent way in which small businesses can draw down funds to innovate.  Future calls for proposals from the TSB are imminent so we would like to congratulations those  companies who have been successful  and encourage other businesses to have a go when the next call is announced in December’’.