5 reason to come to the Life Science Partnering Event

On 7 February 2013 we’re holding our annual Life Sciences Scotland Partnering Event in the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Edinburgh. It’s a fantastic event that we've run for several years now with some great successes.

In fact, it’s such a good event it doesn't even need a catchy strap line. (The best ones Argon anyway.) But here’s five reasons why I think you should join us.

1) Meet potential partners

We’re bringing together innovative biotech, medtech, pharma, e-health and service providers looking for collaborative partners.

If want to out-license technology, are interested in new R&D or technical co-operations or maybe looking to source new products, services or suppliers then this event is for you!

2) Innovative format

Often described as “speed dating”, our partnering events allow you to book pre-arranged meetings based on a profile submitted to the event’s website. This gives you the opportunity to meet potential customers, suppliers or partners face-to-face to explore business opportunities through targeted 20 minute meetings.

3) Keep up to date

The focus of the day is the Partnering Event, of course, but we have a full agenda that includes:

• Life Science Funding Den
• Open Forum led by the Scottish Enterprise Life Science team
• Update on Horizon 2020 and Eurostars
• Plus the opportunity for debate, collaboration and innovation with partners from across Scotland, UK and Europe. 

4) Timed with Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Awards & Dinner

This was intentional! So, if you’re going to be in Edinburgh for the Life Sciences Awards & Dinner you may as well make the most of the day and join us for the partnering event, too.

5) It’s FREE and easy to register

All organisations in the Life Sciences sector are eligible to attend this event. Visit the website and create your partneringprofile.

We look forward to seeing you on 7 February but if you need any assistance registering or preparing for the event please contact the team: info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com. 

Eco-Innovation: An opportunity for Scotland

European Funding can be scary for small businesses. The idea of undertaking a collaborative project with someone normally out with their own supply chain and under the framework of a EU scheme puts many off. In this blog piece, Anis Mourad tells us a bit about why the Eco-Innovation programme is one that SMEs should consider.

The Enterprise Europe Network is here to make that process easier for local businesses by helping them through the often complex mechanics and dynamics of programmes, offer their expert insight into some of the dos and don't of EU funding and by enabling access to National and EU Project Officers that would otherwise be very difficult.

Anis Mourad

Over the last year, EEN Scotland has been working flat out to increase the engagement of Scottish businesses in the Eco-Innovation programme... and with some positive results!

Eco-Innovation is open to all forms of innovation looking to reduce environmental impact or optimise the use of resources. By supporting these innovative ideas, the programme aims to help small businesses turn these into marketable green products and services which have the potential for replication across Europe.

One big appeal to small business is that the programme is post Research and Development - it aims to bridge the gap between R&D and commercialisation. The SME friendly nature of the programme can be evidenced by the fact that more than 65% of all applicants are small businesses!

All you need is a good idea that matches one of the broad call objectives, a project idea that is innovative, can achieve signifcant environmental impact and has the potential for wider market replication.

What are these priority areas?

Materials Recycling, Sustainable building products, Food & Drink, Water and Greening Business.

Project examples include a new type of milk bottle made from paper with a thin plastic lining which uses approximately 2 million tonnes of recycled paper or the Glassplus project which turns old TVs into beautiful ceramic that can be used to tile your house!

Thanks to the close work between the EEN in Scotland and the simply wonderful Ewa Bloch - the UK's National Contact Point for the Eco-Innovation programme - a number of Scottish applications were submitted into the September 2012 call.

I'm anxiously awaiting the results while planning ahead for 2013's Eco-Innovation fun!

The next call for proposals will open in April/May 2013. Keep your eyes peeled on this blog and on the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland website for more information!

In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about Eco-Innovation feel free to get in touch and have a chat! You can never start too early when it comes to EU funding!

Contact Anis Mourad on Anis.Mourad@scotent.co.uk

Having problems with European legislation? Not a problem for the Enterprise Europe Network!

The Enterprise Europe Network runs and manages the official feedback mechanism for influencing European policy in favour of SME’s. In this blog Ross Thomson explains what type of feedback we're looking for and how this information is collected.

Back in 2008 the European Commission (from here on in known as ‘the Commish’) realised that over 99% of companies in Europe were either classified as ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘micro’ (or to give them the technical term – ‘SME’). They also realised that two thirds of private sector employment in the EU is provided by these smaller companies. So, in order to give these businesses the political strength they deserve in European policy decisions the Commish introduced the ‘Small Business Act’.

I don’t have the time nor the space to go through the ins and the outs of the Small Business Act, but one fundamental facet to shaping policy in favour of these businesses was to gain feedback on the aspects of the Single Market that are constraining them. Seems logical… Without identifying the problems, how can you find the solutions?

Enter the Enterprise Europe Network!

Since the Enterprise Europe Network works at the ground level working directly with small businesses, we have been tasked with the job of managing the Commish’s feedback mechanism. 

What kind of feedback? 

Now some Euro-talk: technically the feedback required relates to the ‘functioning of the Single Market’. 

But to elaborate a little… if EU laws are having a negative effect on your business (i.e. an increase in costs or causing an unnecessary administrative burden), if EU rules are not being enforced properly, or if there is just a complete lack of rules where you believe there should be. You should have your voice heard through the Enterprise Europe Network’s feedback mechanism

If you’re worried that your feedback won’t count for anything then you’d be wrong. The system works on the idea of ‘strength in numbers’; so if you’re having issues with a certain piece of European legislation then there is a strong chance many other companies from around Europe will be facing the same difficulties. If you don’t submit your problems then you will never get a solution.

How do you give to feedback? 

I was going to explain the various ways you can give feedback but to be perfectly honest, the best thing you can do is pick up the phone (or hit ‘compose new email’) and get in touch with your local Enterprise Europe Network office directly. If you carefully explain the problem/issue, we can submit feedback on your behalf meaning that you avoid spending all that time on arduous admin.

So, in conclusion, if you submit your feedback, you will be:

• Getting your voice heard
• Influencing European policy
• AND saving you time

 That’s a win/win/win in my book, so what do you have to lose?

If you would like to get in touch with the Enterprise Europe Network in Scotland please e-mail us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com.

Five easy ways you can be more innovative

At its core the Enterprise Europe Network offers free business and innovation support for SMEs looking to access new and exciting markets. In this blog post we have asked our valued colleague Mamta Singhal to give us her throughts on how you can be more innovative. Mamta is an Innovation Advisor for Scottish Enterprise and has worked for exciting companies like Mars and Dyson. ...she’s also got lovely eyes.

1) Be honest, upfront - don’t have structural boundaries.

This is about being open to change, options and views. Some of the best ideas come when people are relaxed and enjoying what they are doing. Every firm needs a level of structure however many new firms are taking a casual approach to this and hierarchy isn't important, it's more about freshness and reaching business goals.

2) Be around creative people who know how to have fun. No grey or beige.

Yes, having fun at work is possible. The old school view of wearing grey and having beige walls has long gone. It's about being bright, bold, brave and brash. If you have a talented creative person on your team you will be surprised how much energy and unique ideas they have and the commercial sense that it will make.

3) Have creative hobbies - dancing, music, art, etc.

Outside of work do some exciting and expressive hobbies. Let your mind play and explore. The people you will meet and they way you see the world will change. Learning golf or fishing may be your thing but try something new and different like salsa dancing or photography, your work will be more creative as a result.

4) Understand and appreciate the short and long term benefits - feel the passion. Think like the Dysons & Apples of the world (I worked for Dyson!).

All too often we aim for short term results but is it best long term?  Do both!  Think like the great designers of the world who never gave up until they had a great product or service, for them it wasn’t the short term goal it was the longer term vision of making a difference. Master strategic thinking and see how short term goals will benefit your longer term vision.

5) Be you. Be unique. Have morals. Don’t just go for the result - do what feels right.

You are unique and use those skills. Every person in a team should have the freedom and time to add to a firms creative goals. Ditch the 'barcode code' diary that is just meeting after meeting and have more team based activities. Equally always do ethical business - morals and integrity is important for long term loyalty with staff plus have a fun personality coupled with self awareness and refined social skills.  Always follow what feels right.


If you would like to get in touch with the Enterprise Europe Network in Scotland please e-mail us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com. 

Your Enterprise Europe Network team places in European Competition

Okay, so not quite what you thought...

You may be familiar with the Enterprise Europe Network podcasts (and if not, I strongly recommend you have a listen!).

We started podcasting last March, highlighting how Scottish companies can take advantage of Enterprise Europe Network services. Since then, the podcasts have evolved to also include features with our colleagues at Scottish Enterprise, holiday specials around Christmas and Halloween, and even include a dream sequence and time travel.

Our podcasts were entered into the European Podcast Awards for 2011. To all those who voted, thank you very much!

The results were announced on Thursday, 15 March 2012 and we're delighted to inform you that the team finished with a podium place! Out of 40 UK entries, EEN Scotland finished 3rd in the Non-Profit Category and 14th overall in Europe in the same category.

The approach has been described as "quirky but informative" by a number of stakeholder organisations, including the EUREKA Directorate in Brussels and, since last March, there have more than 11,000 visits to the podcast website.

Not satisfied with a podium place at National Level, EEN Scotland plan to take the Awards by storm again this year, confident that they are now equipped to conquer not only the UK but to take the main European Prize!

If you haven't had the pleasure yet, please listen to the EEN Scotland podcasts.

If you have any comments, or suggestions for topic you’d like to here us talk about, please get in touch with me at elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.

Five reasons why Europe still makes good business sense!

Five reasons to develop your business in Europe

Europe is still the most potentially lucrative and accessible location for Scottish companies. In this blog, Anis Mourad suggests five reasons why Europe might be for you:

1) It’s a free trade zone!

The EU is the biggest free trade zone in the world. Factoring in some of the associated countries, such as Switzerland, Norway and so on, the unhindered movement of goods and services between Scotland and the rest of Europe means a wealth of choice when buying raw materials or distributing goods.

2) It’s right on our doorstep!

Businesses can reach places such as the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia in only a few hours via budget airlines (other flavours of airline are available too of course!) and the Enterprise Europe Network can put you in touch with like-minded businesses from the continent using our local valued colleagues on the ground in all these countries.

3) English – the beautiful language of business!

I once read that around 40% of EU citizens learn English as their first foreign language. Stunning stat! Generally speaking, English also dominates as the language of business offering Scottish organisations more of an opportunity for comfortable business conditions than they may have thought! And…if there are any problems….our Enterprise Europe Network colleagues in regional offices all over the continent can assist in making the contact easy.

4) Etiquette – eti-what?

Similarities in business practices and etiquette put Scottish companies in a good position when dealing with continental European colleagues. We all know being smart and punctual will go a long way towards making a good first impression to potential clients and partners, but the Enterprise Europe Network also has the inside knowledge on regional preferences. A Swede once told me to “lose the tie and be informal”!

5) They’re all very nice too…

Not only are all my valued EEN colleagues across our 50 partner countries extremely nice, but they all have a great love of Scotland and interest in the country, business conditions and potential collaboration with like-minded organisations in this nation of ours. Don’t be surprised if they are a bit shocked to find out that not all Scots have red beards and wear kilts, though.!

These are just some of the reasons why I feel doing business in Europe is something that Scottish organisations should seriously consider, if they aren’t doing it already! The bonus of it all is that we, at the EEN, are willing and able to help your company as best we can.

Whether it’s market information, scouting for business partners or funding advice you’re looking for, the team is ready to support you.

To get in touch with a view to doing business in Europe, please just drop me a line on Anis.Mourad@scotent.co.uk

Would like to meet...

The Enterprise Europe Network offers a range of services to companies in Scotland, one of which is providing support to find European business partners. In this blog, Elizabeth McNeil highlights upcoming opportunties for you to meet your ideal customers, suppliers or partners.

With Valentine’s Day next week our thoughts turn to finding or renewing connections with loved ones. But have you ever considered matchmaking for your business?

Often described as “speed dating”, our matchmaking events allow you to book pre-arranged meetings based on a profile submitted to the event’s website. This gives you the opportunity to meet potential customers, suppliers or partners face-to-face to explore business opportunities through targeted meetings.

Over the coming months Enterprise Europe Network is hosting a number of matchmaking events and we invite you to join us and find your perfect match!

Find out what’s hot in sustainable energy

Sustainable Energy: Challenges and Opportunities for the Supply Chain is the focus for this year’s sustainable energy event on 20 and 21 March at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Companies with green interests at heart can connect with like-minded companies at the industry-led brokerage event.

Participants are urged to create an online profile prior the event to highlight their capabilities and to maximise the chance of finding their perfect business match. The free event will provide a platform for Scottish companies to meet international contacts to talk about their innovative products and services.

For more information or to register for the brokerage event please visit the website.

Fish around the global seafood market

Companies within the food and drink industry are already cooking up their plans for the largest seafood trade fair in the world, the European Seafood Exposition, which takes place 24 to 26 April in Brussels.

Again this year the Enterprise Europe Network team will be hosting a matchmaking event. Last year’s event attracted 104 organisations - from sole traders to multinationals - from countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Turkey and Iceland.

To find out more or to register please visit the ESE Brokerage Event website. 

Tap into the latest technology advances

The Scottish Technology Showcase consistently brings together some of Europe’s top industry minds. Technology leaders will flock to Glasgow on 12 June to take part, offering a chance to network with over 1,500 like-minded experts.

Enterprise Europe Network is keen for Scottish companies to make the most of the associated matchmaking event and forge potential partnerships and business links. Keynote speakers will also discuss the latest technology developments and how these can impact on your business.

For more information or to register please visit the matchmaking website. 

For more information on these matchmaking events please e-mail me at elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.