{"id":807,"date":"2024-09-25T02:38:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T01:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:50480\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/"},"modified":"2024-10-17T11:17:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T10:17:13","slug":"case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving","status":"publish","type":"case-study","link":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/","title":{"rendered":"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving"},"content":{"rendered":"  <div class=\"article-hero alignfull\">\n  <div class=\"article-hero__container\">\n\n    <div class=\"article-hero__inner\">\n\n      <div class=\"column left\">\n        <div class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n          <!-- Breadcrumb NavXT 7.4.1 -->\n<span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to IPEC.\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">IPEC<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"content\">\n                    <h1>How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving<\/h1>\n        \n                    <p>This case study explores how the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) model enabled Belfast City Council to innovate and transform its approach to problem-solving. <\/p>\n                <\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"right\">\n        <div class=\"article-hero__author\">\n          <div class=\"article-hero__author-info\">\n                                                              <\/div>\n          <div class=\"article-hero__author-share\">\n            <p>SHARE:<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=\" target=\"_blank\">\n              <!-- LinkedIn share icon SVG here -->\n                                          <svg width=\"24\" height=\"25\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 25\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                              <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_3432_13094)\">\n                              <path d=\"M22.2234 0.193359H1.77187C0.792187 0.193359 0 0.966797 0 1.92305V22.459C0 23.4152 0.792187 24.1934 1.77187 24.1934H22.2234C23.2031 24.1934 24 23.4152 24 22.4637V1.92305C24 0.966797 23.2031 0.193359 22.2234 0.193359ZM7.12031 20.6449H3.55781V9.18867H7.12031V20.6449ZM5.33906 7.62773C4.19531 7.62773 3.27188 6.7043 3.27188 5.56523C3.27188 4.42617 4.19531 3.50273 5.33906 3.50273C6.47813 3.50273 7.40156 4.42617 7.40156 5.56523C7.40156 6.69961 6.47813 7.62773 5.33906 7.62773ZM20.4516 20.6449H16.8937V15.0762C16.8937 13.7496 16.8703 12.0387 15.0422 12.0387C13.1906 12.0387 12.9094 13.4871 12.9094 14.9824V20.6449H9.35625V9.18867H12.7687V10.7543H12.8156C13.2891 9.8543 14.4516 8.90273 16.1813 8.90273C19.7859 8.90273 20.4516 11.2746 20.4516 14.359V20.6449Z\" fill=\"#2E2D2B\"\/>\n                              <\/g>\n                              <defs>\n                              <clipPath id=\"clip0_3432_13094\">\n                              <rect width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"white\" transform=\"translate(0 0.193359)\"\/>\n                              <\/clipPath>\n                              <\/defs>\n                              <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"article-hero__image\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_229457325-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:7rem;row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_007ce3-18 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-left-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_e57fcd-f4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><strong>By leveraging the SBRI framework, the Council collaborated with small businesses to develop creative solutions for local challenges, driving efficiency and delivering impactful results for the community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business rates provide more than half of Belfast city council\u2019s annual revenue, used to fund local services. However, with a constantly changing business community, the maintenance of an up-to-date register of businesses in the city to inform the timely and accurate collection of rates income can be challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_71955f-29 alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_f98ff4-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_f98ff4-32\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>The small business research initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Initially, Belfast tried to identify solutions already on the market that would help boost revenue from rate-paying businesses, but after market research found no solutions commercially available, Belfast looked to launch a competition to attract new suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"b572\">The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) is an approach that brings public sector challenges together with ideas from business to create innovative solutions. According to Innovate UK,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/innovateuk.blog.gov.uk\/2018\/03\/13\/sbri-more-than-1-billion-pounds-in-value-to-uk-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the SBRI programme has brought more than \u00a31 Billion to the UK economy<\/a>&nbsp;with over 66% of the contracts awarded to SME\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Keen to harness this approach, Belfast prepared to lay their challenge out to the market.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_bdde79-d1 alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_daf0f8-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_daf0f8-02\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Defining the challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">The first thing that Belfast needed to do before engaging the market was to define the problem they were actually trying to solve. Connected Places Catapult helped apply an objective, human-centred approach to this exercise in order to encourage creative solutions without overly defining the eventual solution \u2014 i.e. leaving room for innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"b0ae\">In defining the challenge, Belfast focused on what outcomes they wanted to achieve, rather than defining how they wanted to achieve them. For Belfast, these outcomes included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>expediting the issuing of bills to new properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>identifying occupancy status of a non-domestic property in near real time;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ensuring that all properties required to pay rates have been identified and are valued for rates purposes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>identifying the function\/use of a non-domestic property in near real time;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>identifying the occupant of a non-domestic property in near real time; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>expediting the issuing of bills to new properties.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_ce013e-bd alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_cfdb24-49 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_cfdb24-49\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Making it happen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">Working with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finance-ni.gov.uk\/land-property-services-lps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Land and Property Services<\/a>, Belfast City Council applied for \u00a3100,000 of funding from the Department for the Economy to bring forward the development of a timely, accurate and cost effective solution which could be implemented to maximise business rate revenue for the city. The council contributed a further \u00a350,000 to the funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"f94c\">To reduce risk and allow space for innovative solutions to be developed and validated, the SBRI approach allows for a multi-stage bidding, shortlisting, validation and selection process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_72d82c-79 alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_9d5b62-f8\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Phase one: the open call<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">The first step was running an open call that was open to any companies interested in taking part in the competition. To kick this off, the Council developed a structured plan for market engagement which included activities such as running \u2018meet and greet\u2019 sessions open to companies interested in taking part in the competition to talk to council officers about it and get prepared. The open call was then released which was publicised in the press with a competition briefing and online application.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_319cc9-e5 alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_905793-57{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_905793-57 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_905793-57\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Phase two: proof of concept<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">As a result of the competition, four companies were awarded \u00a35,000 each to help turn their ideas into more substantial proofs of concept over a six-week period. These projects focused on behavioural economics, Internet of Things networks, rule-based analytics and machine learning models. Crucially, none of the firms which responded to the open call had previously considered themselves local government suppliers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_2f0b24-ba alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_8a2f9a-7b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Phase three: prototyping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">Two companies \u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.analyticsengines.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Analytics Engines<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/nquiringminds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NQuiring Minds<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 were awarded further funding of \u00a355,000 each to turn their concepts into functional prototypes during Phase Two. This phase ran from November 2016 to March 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">The companies had the opportunity to trial their new solutions over a two-week period. Using different approaches, they used a range of data sources, such as from Belfast City Council, Land and Property Services and Northern Ireland Water, to enhance the process for identifying rates income from businesses in the city.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f{border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-right:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-left:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_be968a-1f alignnone has-cpc-warm-grey-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_4d5c46-bc\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-bold\"><strong>Outcomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">During the final two-week evaluation period, the two companies identified an initial \u00a3500,000 of previously uncollected business rates.&nbsp;Subsequent use of the winning solution has since revealed still more previously unrealised revenue which is now being used to deliver local services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5e85\">In addition to demonstrating to Belfast City Council the value of taking a challenge-based approach to procurement, the SBRI process also gave SMEs a valuable opportunity to innovate and commercialise ideas in a real-world environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n    \n\n<blockquote class=\"cpc-quote has-white-background-color standard\">\n        <div>\n        <div>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cOur experience of working with Belfast City Council and Land &amp; Property Services has been invaluable, and having the opportunity to work on a city challenge directly with the service end users has been incredibly rewarding. Access to data and funding allowed us to focus fully on the challenge at hand, including the development of algorithms, which gave new insights and allowed us to propose new ways of doing things. We are now promoting our solution to a range of new markets.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n        <\/div>\n                <div>\n            <cite class=\"citation\">\n                Analytics Engines\n            <\/cite>\n        <\/div>\n             <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\" id=\"38eb\"><strong>Since the completion of this SBRI, Belfast City Council not only moved to procure a rates maximisation solution, but expanded its use of challenge-based procurement through the creation of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/smartbelfast.city\/calls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smart Belfast Framework<\/a>&nbsp;though which they regularly publish information about problems they are looking for the market to solve.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}#wrapper.site{overflow:clip;}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_acf1a8-3e kb-section-is-sticky\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;}.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id807_052573-83 alignnone has-cpc-dark-blue-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column807_3eb367-58{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column807_3eb367-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column807_3eb367-58\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"116\" height=\"121\" src=\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1611\" style=\"width:54px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dfcf617db329fd3fe8446ce55e714aaa\"><strong>Do you have a case-study to share with us and other councils?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3b69cb800efdfce078f70becf6b1171d\" style=\"margin-bottom:0\">Share your council\u2019s innovative procurement success story and inspire others across the UK to adopt transformative approaches for their communities!<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-807_6a8bc8-3b .kt-block-spacer{height:32px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-807_6a8bc8-3b .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:rgba(238, 238, 238, 0.20);width:100%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-807_6a8bc8-3b\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-temper-blocks-button\">\n    <div class=\"wp-block-temper-blocks-button__inner\">\n                    <a class=\"has-white-background-color\" href=\"mailto:contact@ipec.org.uk\" >\n                                <span>Share your case study<\/span>\n                            <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-content\">\n\n        <h2>Related articles<\/h2>\n\n        <div class=\"related-content__inner\">\n            <div class=\"posts-list \">\n                                                            <!-- Block Rendering Placeholder -->\n                                            <!-- Block Rendering Placeholder -->\n                                        \n                            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By leveraging the SBRI framework, the Council collaborated with small businesses to develop creative solutions for local challenges, driving efficiency and delivering impactful results for the community. Business rates provide more than half of Belfast city council\u2019s annual revenue, used to fund local services. However, with a constantly changing business community, the maintenance of an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[20],"class_list":["post-807","case-study","type-case-study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-study"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By leveraging the SBRI framework, the Council collaborated with small businesses to develop creative solutions for local challenges, driving efficiency and delivering impactful results for the community. Business rates provide more than half of Belfast city council\u2019s annual revenue, used to fund local services. However, with a constantly changing business community, the maintenance of an [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"IPEC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-17T10:17:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/\",\"name\":\"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-25T01:38:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-17T10:17:13+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1440},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Case Studies\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/\",\"name\":\"IPEC\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#organization\",\"name\":\"IPEC\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iPEC-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iPEC-logo.png\",\"width\":640,\"height\":320,\"caption\":\"IPEC\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC","og_description":"By leveraging the SBRI framework, the Council collaborated with small businesses to develop creative solutions for local challenges, driving efficiency and delivering impactful results for the community. Business rates provide more than half of Belfast city council\u2019s annual revenue, used to fund local services. However, with a constantly changing business community, the maintenance of an [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/","og_site_name":"IPEC","article_modified_time":"2024-10-17T10:17:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1440,"url":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/","url":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/","name":"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving - IPEC","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2024-09-25T01:38:34+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-17T10:17:13+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1440},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/case-study-how-the-small-business-research-initiative-sbri-model-helped-belfast-city-council-transform-its-approach-to-problem-solving\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Case Studies","item":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/case-study\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How SBRI helped Belfast City Council transform problem-solving"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#website","url":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/","name":"IPEC","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#organization","name":"IPEC","url":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iPEC-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iPEC-logo.png","width":640,"height":320,"caption":"IPEC"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":20,"label":"Case Study"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/cp-ipec.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/58-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":[],"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study\/807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case-study"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.temper.digital\/ipec-microsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}