Access Expertise and Funding to Develop your Business Making profitable connections with University...

Access Expertise and Funding to Develop your Business

Making profitable connections with University Partners

Caitlin McKenna

© Interface

To facilitate businesses of all sizes and sectors to connect rapidly to the skills, expertise and resources available in the Scottish Higher Education sector

•Scottish Enterprise•Highlands & Islands Enterprise•Scottish Government•Chambers of Commerce•Trade Associations•CBI Scotland•IoD Scotland•Accountants, Lawyers & Banks•Networking Groups•Business Advisors

Intermediary Organisations Academic Partners

All Scottish Universities& Research Institutes

Business Community

Referrals

Via intermediaryorganisations

Direct Contact

Via events, word of mouth,

press, etc.

Interface - The Matchmaker for Business

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Company contacts Interface “with problem to be solved”Question

•Identify suitable partners•Establish capability & capacity•Company selects partner•Interface facilitates introductions•Interface monitors progress

SolutionCollaboration established

FundingOptions

How does it work in practice?

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What support for business is available within Scotland’s Universities?

Research & technology capabilities

Contract research & collaboration

Specialist expertise

Access to equipment & facilities

Consultancy

Industrial placements

Training, support & development

Strategy, marketing & planning support

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230 Projects Underway (April 2010)

4• License deals

• Access to facilities

• CPD + staff interchange

• Student placements & research projects

• Consulting: Expert knowledge & feasibility study

• Research Collaborationso Knowledge Transfer Partnership

o SME Collaborative Award (SCORE)

o Business Transformation Partnership

o Other

18

100

3

o Student assignments

o Student placements

o Sponsored PHD & Masters

36

16

17

9

6

5

16

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Why work with Academia?

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Knowledge & People Exchange Opportunities

Student Projects

CASE Studentships

Consultancy

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Access Facilities

Research Collaborations

Feasibility Study SEEKIT feasibility funding

Innovation Vouchers

SMART

TSB Collaborative GrantsFramework 7

What kinds of companies have we worked with?

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The Medical Device Company

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Annandale Distillery

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Think Analytics Ltd

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WSI

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Caitlin McKenna

caitlin@interface-online.org.ukwww.interface-online.org.uk