March blows in

March gets off to a windy start with a funding opportunity in the offshore wind sector. But be quick the deadline is just around the corner!

Offshore wind funding call

The large-scale development of offshore wind represents one of the biggest opportunities for sustained economic growth in Scotland for a generation. 

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have launched a research and development funding call to support project ideas with the potential to reduce the cost of producing energy from offshore wind.

Under this call Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are primarily looking to support project ideas that develop novel offshore operation and maintenance approaches including:

• higher wind speeds, and minimising the corrosive effect of saltwater which makes structural and component failure more common offshore, especially where off-the-shelf components designed for onshore applications are transferred offshore
• the most frequent outages are due to sensor, wiring and control system faults
• gearboxes, generators and blades are the source of highest unplanned maintenance costs

Whilst these ideas form the core of near term priorities, they also welcome any project idea that meets the objectives and addresses wider industry challenges.  

Who can apply?

Assistance is available to businesses of all sizes located within the Scotland and those planning to establish a base here.  

How to apply 

Interested companies should express interest by completing the online form.

The closing date for expressions of interest under this call is Friday, 29 March 2013.

More information

Please visit the Scottish Enterprise website for full details or call 0845 607 8787 or offshorewind@scotent.co.uk with any questions.

Interested in business partnering opportunities in Renewable Energy? Join us on 18-19 March for a Business Partnering Event at the Scottish Renewables Annual Conference.

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.