HOW GRANT FUNDING SUPPORTS LOW ENERGY DIGITAL MARKETING
BACKGROUND
Global digital communications currently creates 4% of global CO2. This compares with the global aviation industry creating 2% CO2. In Ireland datacentre energy consumption now exceeds electricity use of all Irish urban homes. In addition Ai use is accelerating this energy demand and associated CO2. The increase in internet usage is creating a direct climate threat. One small enterprise is now developing low carbon consumption through innovative website hosting design processes.
GRANT APPLICATION
Brighton based Eonic Digital run by Trevor Spink a developer of low carbon website content management, ecommerce software and hosting, and Clive Bonny, a certified Responsible Business advisor for ESG Environment Social Governance, applied jointly to their local council Shared Prosperity Fund. The scope of funded work included assessing and mitigating business development risks, protecting intellectual property, and aligning the business to national responsible business standards “ESG” to enable future public sector contracting.
PROJECT DELIVERY
A timetable was agreed with regular progress reviews. To begin Clive conducted risk mitigation processes. These included an intellectual property audit, a review of ESG benchmark standards tailored for small enterprises and aligned to the UK Social Value Act, and the drafting of a business continuity plan. Trevor provided examples of software licencing terms whilst Clive undertook searches for two brand trademarks. The searches identified a potential objector based in USA. Clive applied his skills as a qualified mediator to enable both parties to agree terms for a trademark application and avoid an expensive legal dispute. The application to register and protect Trevor’s trademarks “Eonic” and Protean CMS” were successfully completed and Clive provided a route map for future licencing.
OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS
Environment Social Governance ESG credential checks are now mandatory for buyers in public funded bodies to check the sustainability of their supply chains. These checks require suppliers to include evidence of their ESG actions in bids for work. The public sector includes charities, local government, education, health and PLC’s, buying over 50% of UK products and services. Small enterprises who meet UK Social Value Act standards can now win substantial long term contracts. This project has aligned Trevor’s business with ESG standards, mitigated risks with a business continuity plan and enabled growth with intellectual property protection.
Clive comments “Experienced digital marketing innovators like Trevor are vital to a safer low carbon future for global technology design. UK digital designers create over £100 Billion annual revenue yet less than half small enterprises survive beyond 5 years. Funded projects which improve SME education and application of ESG credentials, IP protection and risk management are vital to our fast growing “createch” economy”. Trevor adds “Clive’s £2000 grant funded support would have been an unaffordable cost of over £10,000 using other service providers. Experienced strategic management partners add real value to enterprise growth and sustainability and this funded support demonstrates success”
Below Trevor’s Registered trademark certificates protecting brand value after IP searches
