This is your invitation to a business briefing and lunch hosted by the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) which is part of Aston University.

This exclusive briefing for SMEs (companies with less than 249 employees) only has 12 places available. It will take place from 12-2 on Tuesday 16th May at St Paul’s Club in St Paul’s Square, Birmingham. This free event includes a 3-course lunch.

Let me ask you:

• Are you a manufacturing or engineering company?

• Do you have manufacturing or engineering clients?

• Do you provide professional services (e.g. solicitor, accountant, architect, marketing, I.T. etc.) and would like to raise your business profile in an exclusive and profitable arena at no charge?

• Are you interested in providing building, plumbing, electrical etc. services to the bioenergy sector?

• Do you manage investments, provide business loans or offer venture capital?

Then this lunchtime briefing might be the opportunity you are looking for- whether you are a solicitor, accountant, business advisor, consultant, architect, manufacturer (of machinery, products or food), engineer, H&S advisor, investor, networker etc.

Let me explain. EBRI is building an exclusive network of SMEs who will form part of a bioenergy supply chain which will be involved in developments across the UK.

This network is called Fusion- Powering Your Connections and membership is free to SMEs based in the West Midlands. At this event, you will find out more about Fusion and have the opportunity to secure your membership. You can book your place through Eventbrite.

Business Opportunities

There are many business opportunities available for a range of industries in this arena.

For example, EBRI's innovative bioenergy reactors take organic waste (such as food waste, sewage, agricultural waste etc.) and converts it into gas (which is used to fuel a combined heat and power engine), oil and biochar (a valuable form of charcoal which can be sold or used). The plan is to build these reactors close to waste sources whether this is city centres (food waste), housing estates, farms or on manufacturing estates (such as breweries).

The building of a reactor requires:

• End users (such as breweries, farms, food manufacturers, councils, waste processing companies)

• Engineers to help with design modification and installation (including extensive pipe work, plumbing etc.)

• Various manufacturers to produce and assemble the various machine parts

• H&S people to install and advice on running the equipment

• Builders, plumbers, joiners and electricians to construct the building to house the reactor.

• Recruitment agencies to find the right team to run and manage it

• IT people to design the appropriate software for the system.

• Architects to design the building to house the reactor. By necessity these need to be close to the waste source so they could be in city centres or on housing estates etc. and the building would need to blend in. A bioenergy reactor does not require much space though it must be two stories high.

• Solicitors to advise on legal aspects and help buy the property or land

• Accountants to advise on specialist tax

• Investors to provide the capital.

The list goes on.

This is a unique opportunity between a University and small/ medium sized business. These projects are usually only done with large corporates. This is your opportunity to get involved.

If you would like to reserve a place, then click on below for your free ticket.

Free Membership Benefits

Fusion's select membership offers you a range of benefits including:

• Exclusive events- there will be a range of tours and events which will put you in front of key industry players.

• Company profile raising- you and your company profile will be put on the EBRI web site to help drive more business to you. You'll also have the opportunity to get involved with our events through exhibiting or guest speaking.

• Extensive networking opportunities- you will have plenty of opportunities to network with other people in the group as well as bioenergy suppliers and buyers from large companies. This is your opportunity to access the inner circle of the industry.

• Access to funding- there is considerable funding available in this sector. You will benefit of our extensive experience in obtaining it for your company and projects.

• Invitation-only workshops and seminars to keep you abreast of the latest developments and opportunities.

• Bioenergy business support- you will be given access to free support in testing the feasibility of feedstocks and locations for a bioenergy business. This also includes testing and analysis.

• Market assessments- you can tap funded support to find out where you can find a bioenergy market that you (or one of your clients) can profitably serve using assessments and modelling.

• Employees- You will benefit from access to the best apprentices, graduates and post graduates in the industry. You can even acquire their expertise for free using the grants available.

Membership to this group is limited and this is your chance to get involved. Membership is free to SMEs (companies with under 250 employees) based in the West Midlands.

During this briefing, you will find out more about EBRI, its various bioenergy solutions and how your business can benefit by being involved.

This complimentary event includes a delicious 3-course lunch in the St Paul’s Club prestigious dining room. The details are:
Date: Tuesday 16th May
Time: 12-2pm (with registration from 11:45)
Location: St Paul’s Club, 34 St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1QZ.

The club is on the corner of St Paul’s Square and Caroline Street. There is an NCP Car Park on Lionel Street, which is a short walk from the club and there is metered parking around St Paul’s Square.

We hope to see you 16th May.