Innovation Policy and Practice in the Highlands and Islands Sime 2011.pdf · Innovation Policy and...
Transcript of Innovation Policy and Practice in the Highlands and Islands Sime 2011.pdf · Innovation Policy and...
Innovation Policy and Practice in the Highlands and Islands
Ruth SimeBusiness Support and Programmes
16th September 2011
Outline
• The Highlands and Islands• Innovation and Business Growth• Talentscotland Graduate Placement
Programme• Business Innovation Grants• MIT Entrepreneurial Development
Programme• Going forward
The Highlands & Islands• 51% of the landmass of Scotland• 9% (462,000) of the Scottish
population• Only one settlement of over 25,000
– Inverness• Fragile areas and islands• Employment rate (80%) ahead of
the Scottish figure• Unemployment rate below Scottish
and UK averages• Productivity below Scottish level • Low average incomes• 28% businesses less than 10
employees• 60% less than 50 employees• Poised to capitalise on some
unique sectoral opportunities
Innovation and Business Growth
• Innovation critical to the UK’s future prosperity, our quality of life and future job prospects
• Central to economic recovery• Broader approach to business innovation ie
beyond the domain of science and technology alone
• Clear focus on strengthening the line between the research base and business innovation and addressing low levels of business R&D
Business needBusiness needPromotersstimulating
innovative activity
Promotersstimulating
innovative activity
Supportfor innovation
Supportfor innovation
How to capture and create value
How to capture and create value
Improve business skills
Improve business skills
HIEHIE
Scottish GovernmentScottish
Government
Research and development, Intellectual Property and commercialisation of ideas
Research and development, Intellectual Property and commercialisation of ideas
Access to funding for innovationAccess to funding for innovation
Solving technical problems and improving operational efficiencySolving technical problems and improving operational efficiency
Chamber of commerceChamber of commerce
Developing skills in management, leadership and entrepreneurshipDeveloping skills in management, leadership and entrepreneurship
Support for internationalisationSupport for internationalisation
Academic Knowledge Base (Scotland & UK)Academic Knowledge Base (Scotland & UK)
UHIUHI
Enterprise Europe Network
Enterprise Europe Network
Developing new ideas, products and processes
Developing new ideas, products and processes
Knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange to bring
new skills
Knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange to bring
new skills
Innovation Support Infrastructure (UK & EU)Innovation Support Infrastructure (UK & EU)
FacilitatorsFacilitators
HIE Account ManagersHIE Account Managers
Interface H&IInterface H&I
FUSIONFUSION
Nationa
l/EU
Program
mers
(SMAS, TSB
, FP7
etc)
Access to information, networks and industry groups
Access to information, networks and industry groups
Business NetworksBusiness Networks
Industry GroupsIndustry Groups
Improve access to knowledge
Improve access to knowledge
Problem solvingProblem solving
Improve growth potential
Improve growth potential
Entrepreneurship and Leadership …
• Intrinsically linked to innovation• Vital in developing the innovation
ecosystem• Essential for successful and ongoing
implementation of innovation
Innovation Review June 2009 Eight Priorities
• Human networking• Commercialising the Knowledge Base• Availability and optimisation of ICT• Education, training and start-up support• Key sector targets• Access to finance• Increase business skills• Availability of business space
Talentscotland Graduate Placement Programme
• Multi-agency programme led by HIE and SE, also involving SFC, AGCAS, SDS, SGovt
• 3 years programme• Launched in October 2010• Originally aiming for 600 placements in SE and 130 in HIE• European funding and variable wage subsidy provided in HIE
area from the start• Wage subsidy introduced in SE for some placements as a
response to slow uptake • Placements of 3-12 months• Project –based, change in products or processes• Includes training for graduates in innovation/entrepreneurship
delivered by RGU/Strathclyde• In HIE, also includes a summer placement programme
Progress to date
• 45 organisations in HIE (46 placements)• 42 organisations in SE (49 placements)• 62% business development/marketing in HIE
(55% SE)• 26% product development in HIE (SE 35%)• 10 social enterprises in HIE, 2 in SE• First three placements in HIE just finishing• Clear benefits for businesses and graduates
Examples of Graduate Placements
KP Technology, Wick• Design of interface package
for Kelvin Probe scanners • Accelerating introduction of
new scanning softwear
SkyeSkyns, Waternish, Skye• Assist with structural change
in the organisational • Review and amend job
descriptions• Input into new marketing
programme
Business Innovation Grants
• Response to low uptake/awareness of R&D in HIE businesses
• Introduction/taster of benefits of R&D• First steps towards larger R&D projects • Most projects ran October 2010- April 2011,
therefore difficult to measure the impact• 22 in HIE pilot project, average £4.5K• 2 social enterprises• 4 start-up companies• 50% food and drink
E & H Builders (Shetland)• E&H Builders (Shetland)• Renewable energy device at desk
based stage • Heriot Watt Engineering Design
Projects Team help develop the concept
• Output - concept has significant potential
• Potential outcome – spin off company to further progress the design and manufacture of a proof of concept prototype
• “The BIG award allowed us to mover the project forward in these early stages and could prove decisive in our long term success. ….difference between a good idea being developed or shelved.
• Add picture
Henshelwoods Fine Foods (Bute)
• Fine foods to independent retailers• Investigate a range of long shelf-life sauces stored at
ambient temperatures• BIG award help develop new recipes and an appropriate
outsourcing partner• Output-recommendations for production strategy• Potential outcome – launch of two new products in 2012
• Add picture
Entrepreneurship Development Programme
• Sloan School of Management, MIT• World class training and development• 10 days visit to Boston• includes 5 intense days of lectures, workshops,
teamwork• another 5 days “wrap around” meetings• HIE and SE busineses• “Mindset” change for participants• networking nationally and internationally• Significant innovative changes in leadership,
management, processes, business objectives
Benefits of EDP – Redcat IT
"I have to say, EGP just about revolutionised my business. Even in the short time I have had my eyes opened and have a real focus in the business, and inner excitement I can't quite describe. We are already starting to see results and should see a complete transformation in growth over the next 12 months"
Global Energy Ltd
EDP was a magnificent experience and I am sure that the connection with MIT can make a major difference to the Global Energy Group in the future. We are passionate about growing our business in the Highlands and I feel convinced that something is going to come out of my week spent there that will trigger significant value for both our company and the highlands.
Benefits of EDP – Sitekit & NB Communications
Sitekit has derived massive benefit as a result of the MIT relationship. It has been fundamental in changing our whole vision and ambition for the company.
“The EDP was a fantastic experience. Meeting renowned business-building experts was hugely worthwhile and inspirational, as was seeing the wider MIT entrepreneurial ‘eco-system’. This is invaluable, as it provides a clear foundation for our future growth, and provides a framework for all our efforts. Overall, I believe that attending EDP has made it significantly more likely that NB Communications will become a Scottish success story”
Going Forward
• Alignment and collaborative programmes with SE, SFC, Interface and other partners
• Identifying gaps• Some HIE specific programmes• Also sharing programmes across Scotland • Widening opportunities for businesses• Maximising financial and staff resources• Developing the “growth community” in
Scotland