Made Smarter South East is making it easier for makers, creators and manufacturers in the South East to innovate, upskill and grow their business by adopting industrial digital technologies.

Our fully funded package of support for eligible SMEs includes the opportunity to work with a team of experts to unlock the support you need to grow.

We’ll help you create a detailed action plan to digitally transform your business.

You could also access training programmes to increase your workforce’s digital skills, match-funded grants to purchase hardware or software, and leadership development support.  

The programme is being delivered from April 2025 and has been extended until the end of March 2027. Please see the eligibility criteria below. 

REGISTER NOW TO GET STARTED
Made Smarter adoption in the South East
Who is delivering the Made Smarter adoption programme in the South East

Made Smarter South East includes Berkshire, Brighton & Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Solent, Surrey and West Sussex, with Surrey County Council acting as lead body for delivery.

Localised advice and support

Our Digital Transformation Specialists will assess each business that registers with the programme to ensure they are given the specialist support they need.

We will then help you to develop an action plan for adopting digital technology. This roadmap may include a leadership development programme, being offered a digital internship placement, or receiving a match funded grant.

Localised digital transformation workshops

We aim to connect makers to the digital tools that will help to transform the way they work. The programme will grow eligible SMEs through emerging digital technology and help them to cut costs, go to market faster, improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

A detailed diagnostic and assessment process will help firms to develop a strategic action plan towards Industrial Digital Technologies (IDT) Adoption. This includes investment recommendations within the business case.

Localised leadership development

The South East Adoption Leadership programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Salford. It offers online learning sessions, supported by collaborative events dependent on the requirements of the business.

Localised funding support

  • Up to 50% match funding (Maximum of £20,000) is available for equipment (hardware or software)

  • Guidance on creating an effective digital roadmap to ensure the technology is taking your business in the right direction.

Eligibility criteria for SME manufacturers, makers and creators:

  • Fewer than 250 employees

  • Annual turnover below £44m

  • Received under £315k in State aid in last 3 years

  • Include UK based manufacturing / production processes within business

  • Not part of a larger group or owned by Private Equity. 

Case Studies - Our impact as told by our clients
Bradbury Tracks
Buckinghamshire manufacturer on track for growth after AI and digital boost

A Buckingham manufacturer is investing in AI and digital technology to transform how made-to-measure curtain track systems are specified, ordered and manufactured.

Bradbury Tracks, based in High Wycombe, specialises in bespoke curtain tracks for retail, trade and commercial customers across the UK.

With support from Made Smarter South East, the business is developing a proprietary digital platform that streamlines the flow of information from customer enquiry through to production, reducing measurement errors, missing information and costly remakes while improving efficiency.

Alongside the investment, Bradbury Tracks explored AI-powered tools through the digital internship programme, while Managing Director Kris Theophanous completed the Leading Digital Transformation programme to help shape the company's future growth strategy.

Case Study - Bradbury Tracks
Rider Firm
West Sussex manufacturer gears up to reinvent the wheel

The Rider Firm, based in West Sussex sells carbon and alloy wheels worldwide. It has invested in advanced computing and 3D printing technology to accelerate product development, bring new products to market faster and create new jobs. 

In addition, members of the team completed Made Smarter's Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) and Digital Champions programmes, helping to build the skills and leadership needed to support future growth. 

Case Study - Rider Firm
Camera Revolution Limited
Accelerating Innovation Through Additive Manufacturing

Camera Revolution Limited is a Surrey-based specialist film equipment rental business and emerging manufacturer of proprietary camera support systems, motion control equipment and stabilisation rigs.

With support from Made Smarter South East, Camera Revolution has been able to invest in a Formlabs Fuse 1+ industrial Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing system. This represents a transformational step in the company's manufacturing journey.  

 

Case Study - Camera Revolution Limited