Date: 26 June 2012

This event will help you to identify effective strategies in developing intellectual property (IP) which is a component in achieving the competitive advantage in an increasingly innovative business world. Teesside University, as a member of the Enterprise Europe Network, invites you to meet the IP experts.

Leading the sessions are Martin Vinsome (Urquhart, Dyke and Lords) a patent attorney and a partner of UDL since 2003; and Chris Gibson (SQ1 Law) a company, commercial and IP lawyer with extensive experience of acting for both start-up businesses and major commercial clients. Both experts will guide you through the support available, innovation and financial rationale for developing IP.

This event will cover:
• how to identify potentially valuable IP and how to secure it
• identifying licensees
• exploiting IP through licensing
• effect of government initiative

For more information contact:
Name: Marta Rybarczyk
T: 01642384414
E: een@tees.ac.uk

Event Programme: 26th June

Map and Directions

Date: June 20th 2012

In Europe, it’s not what you know it’s who you know. That’s why the Enterprise Europe Network is going to be providing a series of workshops highlighting how European networks work, why they exist and how you can tap into them.

Stuart Jackson, a Brussels expert has experience working for European trade associations, lobby groups and public sector representative bodies. He will showcase the various types of networks that are at the heart of the Brussels decision-making bubble and provide you with tips and tools to get the most out of them.

There will be specific tailored advice for businesses involved in ageing, sustainability and medicine as each is treated differently at EU level. There will also be opportunities to meet with other Enterprise Europe Network representatives and receive tailored support.

Date: June 19th 2012

In Europe, it’s not what you know it’s who you know. That’s why the Enterprise Europe Network is going to be providing a series of workshops highlighting how European networks work, why they exist and how you can tap into them.

Stuart Jackson, a Brussels expert has experience working for European trade associations, lobby groups and public sector representative bodies. He will showcase the various types of networks that are at the heart of the Brussels decision-making bubble and provide you with tips and tools to get the most out of them.

There will be specific tailored advice for businesses involved in; ageing, sustainability and medicine as each is treated differently at EU level. There will also be opportunities to meet with other Enterprise Europe Network representatives and receive tailored support.

Date: June 18th 2012

In Europe, it’s not what you know it’s who you know. That’s why the Enterprise Europe Network is going to be providing a series of workshops highlighting how European networks work, why they exist and how you can tap into them.

Stuart Jackson, a Brussels expert has experience working for European trade associations, lobby groups and public sector representative bodies. He will showcase the various types of networks that are at the heart of the Brussels decision-making bubble and provide you with tips and tools to get the most out of them.

There will be specific tailored advice for businesses involved in ageing, sustainability and medicine as each is treated differently at EU level. There will also be opportunities to meet with other Enterprise Europe Network representatives and receive tailored support.

Date: 13 June 2012

Cutting edge digital and creative ICT businesses can join leading-edge research teams and build future commercial success for your business – this is your opportunity to find out how FET can benefit your business.

This event, led by Dr John Collins, formerly Lead Technologist for the Emerging Technologies and industries programme at the Technology Strategy Board, will; outline the business benefits of FP7 collaborations, how and when to apply to FP7 funding, the routes to identifying and reaching partners, and how intermediaries, such as universities, can help and support you.

For more information contact:
Name: Marta Rybarczyk
T: 01642384414
E: een@tees.ac.uk

FP7 & FET Event Programme: 13 June 
Map and Directions

Key exporters and contributors from the North East will be in attendance and the evening will be the perfect opportunity to network and celebrate the success of the exporting community.

Applications are now open – Has your business or an individual within the organisation achieved success in exporting goods and services?

To make your application please complete the nomination form attached below.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31 May 2012

Categories

New Exporter Award sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
An individual new to exporting within the last two years who has demonstrated exceptional achievement for their company.

Low Carbon Award sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
An individual engaged in export who can demonstrate significant commercial success from a product with environmental benefits.

Expanded Horizons
An individual who can demonstrate their success in seeking and identifying new markets and securing new business for their company.

Export Team of the Year sponsored by NECC
A team working in export who can demonstrate significant added value to their business through adopting innovative techniques, personnel development, and successful implementation of the companies’ export sales strategy.

Overall Achievement Award sponsored by HSBC
The overall winner, chosen from the applicants shortlisted for the categories listed above.

The winner of each award will be presented with a cheque to the value of £1000.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Just a few examples of the types of FET projects that have been successful:
· Nano design
· Interactive story telling
· Artificial intelligence
· Nano optimisation.

We look forward to seeing you. To Registeration: Click Here.

It is a working document not yet endorsed by the Commission and its content does not in any way prejudge the subsequent modifications by the Commission, neither the subsequent formal opinion of the Programme Committee nor the final decision of the Commission. The final adoption and the publication of the later work programme by the Commission are expected in mid-July 2012 via the participant portal:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/page/cooperation.

 Only the adopted work programme will have legal value. Information and topic descriptions indicated in this orientation paper may not appear in the final work programme; and likewise, new elements may be introduced at a later stage. No essential information, such as indicative budgets per call/area, will be provided by the Commission until the final work programme is adopted. Any such information disclosed by any other party shall not be construed as having been endorsed by or affiliated to the Commission. The Commission expressly disclaims liability for any future changes of the content of this document.

Are you an SME or a research institute?
Are you working in food, agriculture and fisheries or biotechnology?
Do you have an innovative idea that you are looking to fund in the Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The event will cover:

• What the KBBE is and how it can help
• Which topics can be funded
• Who can apply and the funding rates
• How to find partners and build a consortium
• The application progress timeline

Click here to view for event agenda and directions

With 27 countries and a Single Market of 500 citizens the EU offers great potential for business to business growth. Furthermore with austerity in many EU countries, having an international profile can be beneficial in providing opportunities for growth beyond the national boundaries. However it is important the local businesses know how to find the right contacts with the right knowledge. At the Enterprise Europe Network we recommend a strategic approach to networking that builds strong industry links with the fewest degrees of separation.

Three degrees of separation

With the increase in online social (and professional) networking, the plethora of regional business clusters across Europe, and pan-European support such as the Enterprise Europe Network businesses are often no more than three degrees of separation away from finding opportunities.

The Three Starting Points

1. Meet with the Enterprise Europe Network

The Enterprise Europe Network has over 500 offices globally that connect local businesses in one country to local businesses in other countries. The Network identifies European and global opportunities for business development including accessing and offering technologies, and helping to broker international business agreements. Furthermore, if it believes the firm has the capacity for EU funding, it will also assist you in accessing finance. It is a firm’s first port of call to offer firms strategic advice and determine companies’ next steps.

1. Identify your industry associations in the broadest sense

All businesses in Europe are represented by at least one network or trade association. A local baker for instance will have links to networks covering food production, farming, logistics, retail, and remote sensor technology. It is best to look at industry associations in as wide a sense as possible, to understand where future threats and opportunities may emerge. National associations generally have European federations at a higher representative level. This European federation level will have strong links to the EU, bring together industry data from across Europe, and connect market leaders from across Europe.

1. Remember the EU’s cluster policy

Although not well known, the cluster policy has been gaining traction since the mid-1990s. The idea is that by clustering industry expertise around a few geographic centres, economies of agglomeration can be attained and local firms can have a portal to international business development. Today 32 countries in Europe have encouraged business clusters to help foster economic growth. Due to their nature of being local industry networks, they offer easy ways into local technology markets and generally play on a pan-European/global level. Use the EU’s Cluster Observatory website as a starting point to uncover these often-overlooked business networks.

For more information about European networks and international business development, please contact stuart.jackson@newcastlesciencecity.com or call 0191 211 3024

Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has put forward a Strategic Innovation Agenda for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which will receive €2.8 billion of funding under Horizon 2020. In parallel, Vice-President Antonio Tajani has announced a complementary new programme to boost competitiveness and innovation in SMEs, with an additional budget of €2.5 billion. The funding programmes run from 2014 to 2020.

Horizon 2020 will focus funds on three key objectives. It will support the EU’s position as a world leader in science with a dedicated budget of €24.6 billion, including an increase in funding of 77% for the very successful European Research Council (ERC). It will help secure industrial leadership in innovation with a budget of €17.9 billion. This includes a major investment of €13.7 billion in key technologies, as well as greater access to capital and support for SMEs.

Finally, €31.7 billion will go towards addressing major concerns shared by all Europeans, across six key themes: Health, demographic change and well-being; Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bio-economy; Secure, clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials; and Inclusive, innovative and secure societies.

Read more…

The award will contribute towards a combined strategic investment of £14M by the consortium, over a three year period, to establish a Centre of Excellence in Methods and New Technologies for Surface Modification and Cleaning (CEMENT) in the North East of England. The consortium comprises P&G’s Newcastle Innovation Centre, The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Durham University and Peerless Systems.

Drawing upon a wealth of expertise, the consortium will drive cutting-edge research and innovation to develop new cleaning and surface modification technologies. In particular, the centre aims to develop technologies that will bring new, more environmentally friendly household care products to market in order to; reduce energy consumption during washing/cleaning cycles, minimise the water usage without compromising the high performance, value, freshness and convenience expected by increasingly demanding consumers.

Shak Gohir, Practice Director for CPI’s Innovation and Growth Services team said,

“New cleaning and surface modification technologies are vital to almost all consumer and industrial settings, from home care to manufacturing of high-value products. Working closely with partners, CPI will help establish new projects with industry and raise further funds for the Centre in order to ensure its ongoing sustainability and wider economic benefit for the region.”

The new Centre will form a strategic hub for building new research projects and technology transfer initiatives in the North East and the UK. The consortium will establish additional collaborative partnerships with companies that are not competing with P&G in the marketplace but can benefit from the knowledge, expertise, facilities and capabilities of the new Centre. The Centre will therefore assist many UK companies looking to invest, research, develop and commercialise new surface modification and cleaning solutions for industrial application in the oil & gas, renewables, chemicals, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, electronics, construction and other sectors.

Charles Bragg, Research & Development Director for P&G Newcastle, said,

“The project investment recognises the skills and expertise of the Newcastle Innovation Centre (NIC), which is a key part of the P&G global R&D organisation. The project continues the significant investment in the region by P&G and, together with our partners, will bring exciting possibilities in the area of surface modification across several industries. Through our Connect & Develop innovation strategy, P&G aims to work with outside organisations on 50% of all new initiatives, and this project brings the strengths of our North East partners to this critical area of our work on household products.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Tom McLeish, at Durham University, which recently won the Global Business Development University Partner of the Year award from Procter & Gamble, said,

“This grant recognises the quality of Durham University’s continued partnership with P&G as well as the technical and scientific depth we can bring to collaborative research with commercial partners. The project is a major investment in the educational and business opportunities that the University can support to help to enhance the region’s economic well-being.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“Creating long term jobs and long term growth is our number one priority for Britain right now. “For too long the UK economy has been too focused on the City of London, ignoring places like Newcastle, Blyth and North Shields in the North East.

“I want the North East to be a place to build and make things again.

“The Regional Growth Fund is helping the economy grow in every region and across a range of industries.”

END

About the Regional Growth Fund
The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £1.4bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2014. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment creating economic growth and sustainable employment. It aims particularly to help those areas and communities currently dependent on the public sector to make the transition to sustainable private sector-led growth and prosperity. http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/regional-growth-fund

About Procter and Gamble
P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company’s leadership brands include Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Fairy(R), Gain(R), Pringles(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella(R), Gillette(R), Braun(R), Fusion(R), Ace(R), Febreze(R), and Ambi Pur(R). With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About Durham University
Durham University is a World Top-100 university with a global reputation in research and education across the arts and humanities, sciences and social sciences. It is England’s third oldest university and Durham has been a leading centre of scholarship for a thousand years. At the University’s heart is a UNESCO World Heritage site which it owns, together with Durham Cathedral. Durham is consistently ranked in the top few universities in the UK and the leading university in the North. Its residential Collegiate system enables the University to recruit some of the most talented and motivated students from around the world to develop transferable skills such as leadership, alongside academic excellence, which place Durham graduates in the World Top-15 for global student employability.*
* 2011 QS World University Rankings

About Centre for Process Innovation
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is a key part of the Government’s first elite technology innovation centre, focusing in the area of high value manufacturing. It offers market and technology expertise along with cutting-edge development assets to help its public and private sector clients build and prototype the next generation of products, processes and services quickly and efficiently, and with minimal risk.

CPI has designed and established national technology centres in Printable Electronics and Industrial Biotechnology. The centres are equipped with development laboratories, prototyping facilities and pilot plants that enable clients to prove and scale up processes from the laboratory stage through to commercial reality. There are commercially experienced scientists and engineers on site to offer expertise and guidance. CPI also offers a multi-disciplined team who work together on project management, investment and market opportunities to ensure each business fulfils its potential.

For more information, please visit www.uk-cpi.com

About Peerless Systems
Peerless Systems has specialised in laboratory automation solutions since 1982, providing standard and bespoke systems for a huge range of industries – from healthcare to pharmaceutical – for use in the handling, sampling, analysis and dispensing of liquids, solids and powders. Its products are in use throughout the world, including Japan, the US and Europe, as well as the UK. Peerless is part of the Whiteley Murphy Group, which encompasses some of the UK’s leading automation and special purpose machine builders.

Contact:
Lindsay Gill
CPI Communications
01740 625 783 / 07766 780 782
Lindsay.gill@uk-cpi.com

James Williams
P&G External Relations
+447769164142
Williams.j.38@pg.com

Future Hydrogen Production event brings together key industrial stakeholders and policy makers, 

This event will provide a forum to discuss the developments and potential business opportunities, arising from the SUPERGEN DoSH2 project’s research as well as the opportunity to debate the future short and medium-term hydrogen reseach and investment needs. Speakers presenting include:

• John Irine, SuperGen DoSH2 Project Coordinator, St Andrews University
• Martin Smith, SuperGen DoSH2 Project Manager, St Andrews University
• Alastair Rennie, Project Director for Renewables , AMEC
• Graham Cooley, Chief Executive Officer, ITM Power
• Robert Evans, Chief Executive Officer, CENEX
• David Wails, Principal Scientist, Johnson Matthey
• Mark Crowther, General Manager, GASTEC
• Andrew Haslett, Director of Strategy Development for the Energy Technologies Institute
• Amanda Lyne, VP Strategic Business Development, ACAL Energy
• Natalia Zglobisz, Energy Generation and Supply KTN
• Richard Kemp-Harper, Lead Technologist at the Technology Strategy Board

For more information and to register visit: http://supergendosh2.wordpress.com/

Date:17th October 2011
Venue:Muckle LLP
Location: Time Central, Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4BFPrice:FREE

Find out more information and to book your place at this event go to www.thescienceof.co.uk .

Alternatively you can email newcastlebipc@newcastle.gov.uk or contact 0191 277 4000.

Projects should look at how industrial biotechnology and/or biorefining can be competitively applied to the production of high value chemicals.  The competition aims to stimulate collaboration between industrial biotechnology developers, higher education institutions and, in particular, the chemicals sector.  The chemicals and chemistry-using sectors are encouraged to use this initiative to pilot industrial biotechnological routes to replace existing thermochemical processes or to address new challenges.

Following the signing of an agreement between the UK and Norway that encourages UK-Norwegian projects incorporating industrial biotechnology and/or biorefining, Innovation Norway intends to provide the public funding element for any Norwegian SMEs engaged in successful projects meeting their normal criteria for eligibility.  Innovation Norway’s main funding instrument is the Industrial Research and Development Contracts (IFU) which supports a SME to work with an end user and their programme on upscaling and demonstration of new processes.

• For more information visit the Technology Strategy Board Competition Website.

In terms of scope, this report covers four product segments, namely bio-plastics, bio-lubricants, bio-solvents and bio-surfactants.

The total volume growth of major bio-based chemical groups between 2008-2020 is estimated at 2.1 Mt (5.3% pa). Assuming similar market value growth, the market is estimated to grow from current (2008) 21 billion EUR to 40 billion EUR in 2020. This will increase the market share of bio-based products from 4% in 2008 to 6% in 2020, providing 43,600 new jobs within the biochemical industry only. Future growth will be affected by the cost of biomass feedstocks but also by fossil fuel prices and by the level of public support. For more insight follow the link below:

• Assessment of the Bio-Based Products Market Potential for Innovation

Investing in bio-based products in the chemical sector?

Or you want to contribute to the growth in the Bio-based market?                                                       

The BIOCHEM Accelerator Forum will provide you with a unique opportunity to promote your company and meet face-to-face with European Biotech investors, corporations and other industry players.  By participating in the BIOCHEM Accelerator Forum you will :

• Have the chance to attend Keynote speeches from high valued experts and entrepreneurs
• Benefit from networking and funding opportunities with corporates, VCs and fast-growing companies.
• Have the opportunity to create partnerships with international industry experts and investors.
• Gain valuable insights of the bio-based industry.
• Increase your visibility on the international stage during the company presentations

We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity!

Register at: www.e-unlimited.com/BIOCHEM

“Horizon 2020″ is the winner of our “You Name it” online vote to name the future EU-funding programme for research and innovation. Three names were shortlisted. Horizon 2020 received 3,055 votes against 2,785 for Imagine 2020 and 2,478 for Discover 2020. 8,318 votes were received in total.

The full name that will be put forward towards the end of this year as part of the legislative proposal for the new programme will therefore be: “Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation”. The competition winners Marcela Endlova, a teacher from the Czech Republic, and Beata Zyngier, also a teacher, from Poland both suggested the name.  The new name marks another step in Europe’s endeavour to place research and innovation at the centre of EU policy making.

Horizon 2020 is not just a new name for the same Framework Programme. It is the name for the new, integrated funding system that will cover all research and innovation funding currently provided through the:

• Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development
• Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)
• European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

These different types of funding are to be brought together in a coherent and flexible manner. Hence the future versions of Eco-Innovation and Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE), are likely to form part of Horizon 2o2o.

Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research and Innovation says “….this will be a smarter way to support researchers and innovators in Europe – so as to further boost excellence and to help ensure that good ideas reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs. Research and innovation funding will focus more clearly on addressing global challenges. Needless red tape will be cut out and participation made simpler.

However, there is also, in the longer title, a certain continuity. We will not lose sight of the fact that the Framework Programmes have been a big success and that there has been much to be proud of. We are not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Europe is currently facing very serious economic challenges. But there are reasons for optimism. High on that list is the enormous and still largely untapped research and innovation capacity that we have in Europe”

What improvements should the Commission embrass, as it develops the scope and structure of Horizon 2020?

• Join the Horizon 2020 debate on LinkedIn