Just a thought

I was working in Scottish Enterprise's Dundee office yesterday. Sitting in a different

location with a stunning view of the Tay was a great way to break up the working week and shake up my routine.

On my borrowed desk for the day I found this list:

Five Global Consumer Megatrends

1) The Inmates Have Taken Over the Asylum
How have you given your customers more control over your brand?

2) Know Your Sausage
What's the most potentially dangerous ingredient in your sausage?

3) Send Lawyers, Guns and Money
Who will be the public face of your business if there's a crisis?

4) Strange Bedfellows
Say hi to the person sitting next to you. Discuss what opportunities you have for collaboration.

5) All Hands on Deck
What's the problem? How can you make your customers part of the solution?

At first glance I just thought it was just a funny list. But the more I considered it, I realised it's great advice for all organisations regardless of size or sector. 

So, that's my thought for the week. Despite, or maybe because of, the amusing titles I think it's powerful stuff.

My question for you is: what would you add to this list? 

Note: I'm not sure where this list originates so I'm unable to properly give credit. If anyone knows please let me know: elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.

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.

Electrifying partner opportunities at Scottish Renewables Annual Conference

The Enterprise Europe Network Scotland is hosting a Business Partnering Event at the Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference – an industry event focused on the development of renewable energy in Scotland.

We’re bringing together companies from across the sector looking for collaborative partners on 18-19 March 2013 at the EICC in Edinburgh.

What’s the opportunity?

The Scottish Renewables Annual Conference is a two day event exploring the “Big Issues” for the industry and introduces four conferences under one roof: Electricity Market Reform, Grid, Planning and Skills. With some 600+ participants across two days, the event will offer various networking and meeting opportunities including an exhibition area, quick-fire showcase sessions and drinks reception.

With so many people across all sectors in the industry coming to the Conference, there is a wealth of experience for you to access.

Business Partnering aims to link participants through 20 minute pre-scheduled meetings to exchange information and experience on topics of interest across the Scottish supply chain.

Please visit the Business Partnering website to register and book your meetings.

How does it work?

The Enterprise Europe Network has a track record for organising Business Partnering at Europe’s largest conferences and trade fairs: 

• You register, outlining your organisation's key areas of expertise and the types of business contacts you'd like to meet.
• Your profile is published in our online catalogue, giving you increased visibility.
• You select other organisations you would like to meet, and can accept/decline meeting invitations from others.
• We pre-arrange meetings for you in advance of the event, so you have a schedule.
• At the event, you meet and share views with others, present, discuss and develop new projects.
• After the event, we are on hand to help you follow up contacts.

Costs
You must register for the Scottish Renewables Annual Conference to take part and there is no additional fee for the Business Partnering.

Working in the offshore wind industry? A funding call has been launched around research and development to support project ideas with the potential to reduce the cost of producing energy from offshore wind. 

Help Grow and Innovate via Innovation Vouchers

Anis Mourad

The EEN in Scotland is very lucky to be working with some truly innovative companies, delivering free support to Scottish organisations looking to connect and grow in Europe and beyond. However, sometimes a little bit of funding to allow businesses additional access to expertise does come in rather handy so I'm delighted to recommend the Technology Strategy Board's Innovation Voucher Scheme!

The ultimate aim is to allow the business to gain new knowledge to help it innovate, develop and grow so the type of assistance really does vary depending on company need. It could include advice on an innovative idea, learning more about using design within a business or the management and use of intellectual property.

• The business should be a start-up, micro, small or medium-sized business located in the UK
• This should be the first time that the SME has worked with the chosen knowledge supplier
• The idea requiring support should be a challenge that really needs specialist help
• The business idea should be applicable to one of the priority themes
• The business should not have not had an Innovation Voucher from the Technology Strategy Board before.

Essentially, an Innovation Voucher provides funding so that a business can work with an external expert for the first time. These experts include the likes of universities, further education colleges, research & technology organisations, technical consultancies and Catapult centres, design advisers and intellectual property advisers.

With all funding, there is of course a set of criteria! Don't be too alarmed though! Like a Christmas trifle, it's easily digestible!

Before I forget... the priority areas! These are: Agrifood, Built Environment, Energy, Water & Waste, Space and Open Data & Inventors.

Vouchers are allocated following a draw from all applications, and if successful, businesses will be awarded up to £5,000 to work with an expert!

If you feel that your business could benefit from the Innovation Voucher scheme, you can find more info and details on application processes etc on the following website: https://vouchers.innovateuk.org.

To get in touch with myself at the EEN in Scotland, you can drop me an email on Anis.Mourad@scotent.co.uk.

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.