United Utilities has awarded an AMP7 framework contract for an innovation corporate accelerator partner worth an estimated £1.92 million.
United Utilities has awarded an AMP7 framework contract for an innovation corporate accelerator partner worth an estimated £1.92 million.
The water company went out to tender in 2020 for a third party Innovation Partner to manage and deliver an innovation accelerator program for United Utilities’ future innovation labs, enabling it to connect with start-up companies and entrepreneurs who would not normally be familiar with the regulated environment.
Scope of the contract includes:
- defining scouting briefs;
- develop marketing material;
- publicise material, and encourage applications
- Scouting activities include:
- work with global network, data scraping, desk research;
- provide analytical insights;
- spotting trends
- pitch coaching;
- pitch day management;
- supplier liaison and support;
- access to services, mentors
The accelerator programme management covers project scoping, business planning and demonstration management.
The Innovation Partner is expected to support programme management – including frequent reporting to the innovation team and separately to operational teams and executive board members and make a number of specific appointments, including:
- lead programme manager – who will build excellent working relationship with client programme manager and maintain/report on progress;
- client account representative – responsible for overall relationship – link to client programme manager;
- scouting lead;
- marketing, communications and promotions lead;
- scout (finding and persuading suppliers to apply) – the partner will need to have access to a global innovation eco-system management especially ideas suitable to water and wastewater;
- events management – coordinating high profile events such as supplier pitch days, mid-point reviews, final presentations, executive board visits. Co-locate at employer head office for a 3-month period to support co-creating teams (subject to restrictions on Covid-19)
Initial contract term is three years with up to 5-year further extension options.
Altrincham-based firm L Marks Ltd has been awarded the contract, one of seven companies in the bidding for the work.
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