Events in 2008

Jan 08 25 Start: 11:00 End: 16:00

This event which is organised by Alba Innovation Centre and Edinburgh Stanford-Link will take place in the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston on Friday 25th January from 11am - 4pm. Registration from 10.30am.

At Techdirt, our core belief is that ideas are living things -- and that by getting smart people to think about and discuss various ideas, they can often be made much better. It's what we try to do on Techdirt -- presenting ideas and getting people to discuss them -- alongside customers of our Techdirt Corporate Intelligence service. We now want to take that same concept and try it in a live environment... the Techdirt Greenhouse.

Techdirt Greenhouse is a different kind of event. It's designed to be fun, interactive and thought provoking. It requires participation, rather than passive listening, but has enough structure that it's not a total free-for-all. In fact, the structure is quite similar to the Techdirt blog. A group of pre-selected companies and MSc students in Informatics will present ideas in quick, five minute presentations.

Unlike a standard product showcase, this is not the "final word." After a group of presentations, the attendees are split up into breakout groups, and given a specific issue from one of the presentations to "workshop." For a company with a new product, this could be anything from "what new features should be added" to "what target market should they focus on" to "is there a business model here?" Other presentations may not be about products, but ideas, and the workshops will be related to those ideas.

After a short period of time, everyone will reconvene and discuss some of the findings and takeaways for the presenters (and the attendees) to consider. Think of each presentation as a Techdirt post -- and each breakout group as the comments around that post.

This allows us to create an event where many different interesting topics gets discussed among a diverse group of people with a wide range of perspectives and opinions -- all in a short period of time. Leave the PowerPoint and the sales pitches at home. Here's a chance to interact with some of the smartest folks around, while helping to solve real and interesting challenges facing the technology business today. Register now to secure your place at this event by emailing albareception@innovationcentre.org T

echdirt was ranked #2 for the best technology blogs recently by Forbes Magazine http://www.forbes.com/2003/03/13/cx_ah_techblogslide_2.html?thisSpeed=335544320000

May 08 1 Start: 09:00 End: 17:00

Morning Seminar

The Alba Innovation Centre has now been in operation for more than a year. This seminar will focus on the many successes of Alba in its' short existence e.g. the buy-out of Oligon by Wolfson, Catalyse partnering with SMG in the Smartycars deal etc and look at the future plans to develop the Centre further. Following in the success of its' sister site in Hillington, the Alba Innovation Centre has been successful in attracting highly innovative companies with potential for high growth and this seminar will look at what it is that attracts these companies to the Alba Innovation Centre.

Speakers include Tom Ogilvie, CEO of Innovation Centres Scotland Ltd, Mike Southon, founder of 'the Beermat Entrepreneur' and Imran Khand co-founder of Picsel Technologies.

Bio of Tom Ogilvie

Bio of Mike Southon

Bio of Imran Khand

To reserve your place at this seminar email albaseminar@innovationcentre.org or telephone 0141 229 1800

Afternoon Workshops

To reserve your place at any of these workshops email albaworkshops@innovationcentre.org or telephone 0141 229 1800.  Please advise which workshop you wish to attend and the appropriate time.  

Legal and IP issues facing innovative technology businesses
Caroline Rollestone-Brown and Gillian Cameron of Maclay Murray & Spens’ from Maclay, Murray and Spens will deliver 2 workshops looking at a brass tacks run down on some of the key legal issues which affect technology entrepreneurs from “doing the deal” and consolidating IPR through to getting the best from your advisers …and even selling out from 2-3pm and 4-5pm. (Please indicate which workshop you wish to attend when registering. Maximum number of people this workshop can accommodate is 15).

Effective selling techniques for innovative technology businesses
Mike Southon, co-author of best-selling book "The Beermat Entrepreneur" is running a sales workshop from 3pm – 4pm based on the best-selling book "Sales on a Beermat"

Based on the best-selling book "Sales on a Beermat", this workshop is suitable for everyone. If you don’t consider yourself a salesperson and hate to sell, but you have to sell to make a living, then this workshop will give you the essential techniques you need to sell! If you love to sell, this workshop will still offer you some good tips.

This workshop will:
- show you how to double your revenue immediately
- show how anyone can be involved in the sales process, without feeling sleazy or dishonest
- teach you how to generate more leads and close them more effectively

Funding the Deal
The Royal Bank of Scotland and a Scottish based Archangel are running 2 workshops focusing on the essential facts needed to properly fund a high growth business from 2-3pm and 4-5pm (Please indicate which workshop you wish to attend when registering. Maximum number of people this workshop can accommodate is 15).

The Royal Bank of Scotland will look at the key aspects of funding such as
• the types of funding available
• the way in which funding works
• what should companies expectations be when raising funding
• timescales
• how to get the best out of the banks
• what will the banks require to see in the business plan

The Archangel will look at their role in funding a business including
• what are they looking for?
• what do they bring to the deal?
• how they will expect to work with the company
• managing your expectations
• what the ‘get-out’ plan is going to be
• when to use an Archangel

May 08 7 Start: 09:30 End: 13:00

Recent research by Gartner has stated that by 2012 over 5 billion wireless devices will be web enabled including cell phones, notebooks, cars, media players, electronics and toys. Web 2.0 users and applications such as communities and virtual worlds will “go mobile”. Companies must become experts in mobile web development for a wide range of applications.

Wireless Innovation, Scotland’s national initiative for mobile and wireless technologies have invited one of our key partners, Nick Jones VP and Distinguished Analyst, from Gartner to the Hillington Park Innovation Centre on Wednesday 7th May from 9.30am – 1pm to explore the key issues surrounding mobile web development such as: - How will mobile web 2.0 evolve through 2012? - How should companies decide which mobile web devices and technologies to support? - Which development tools and technologies will enable companies to deliver superb mobile web applications?

 All Scottish companies that feel wireless and mobile will play an important part in future business development should attend this event.

 Nick Jones – VP and Distinguished Analyst – Bio

Nick Jones is a vice president in Gartner Research. His research focuses primarily on mobile and wireless business and technology. His research coverage includes business-to-employee (B2E) and business-to-consumer (B2C) applications of mobility; mobile application development and delivery technologies including J2ME, and compact .NET; mobile payments; and emerging trends and technologies in the wireless and mobile industry. His secondary research interests include the social impact of technology, and European IT issues. Prior to joining Gartner, Nick gained wide experience in IT from both the user and vendor perspectives. He has worked for consulting organizations and software tools vendors in a variety of roles including technical consulting, product management, product selection and evaluation, globalization and product architecture.

 If you would like to register for this Free event please email forums@innovationcentre.org

Jun 08 5 Start: 12:00 End: 14:00

The Alba Innovation Centre in partnership with MBM Commercial is presenting a series of lunchtime workshops offering expert advice on several aspects of growing and developing a high growth innovation business.

The first series of events which will take place throughout June will focus on 3 key stages of any company’s development. Firstly, engaging with and using a team of legal experts to help protect and grow your business, secondly, how to attract funding and finally, what to look for in an exit strategy.

Attendance at these workshops is free and offers companies the chance to get advice and knowledge from industry experts. MBM will be happy to chat with anybody who attends the workshops individually, after the event, or at a subsequent meeting.

Thursday 5th June 12 - 2pm What did the lawyers ever do for you? Many business people consider lawyers a necessary evil!

David Calder of MBM Commercial explains why lawyers are necessary and how their services and advice is essential for any new/growing innovative business. MBM Commercial is an award-winning niche legal firm, pre-eminent in advising growing entrepreneurial companies and their investors and is well placed to offer advice in these areas.

To register for this event, email albaevents@innovationcentre.org or contact Alison on 01506 592100

Jun 08 17 Start: 12:00 End: 14:00

The Alba Innovation Centre in partnership with MBM Commercial is presenting a series of lunchtime workshops offering expert advice on several aspects of growing and developing a high growth innovation business.

The first series of events which will take place throughout June will focus on 3 key stages of any company’s development. Firstly, engaging with and using a team of legal experts to help protect and grow your business, secondly, how to attract funding and finally, what to look for in an exit strategy.

Attendance at these workshops is free and offers companies the chance to get advice and knowledge from industry experts. MBM will be happy to chat with anybody who attends the workshops individually, after the event, or at a subsequent meeting.

Tuesday 17th June 12 – 2pm What every Investor wants. What are the key things investors look for in a company?

Kenny Mumford, a partner in MBM Commercial, and formally in house lawyer with Braveheart Investments, explains how to make your company irresistible to all types of investors. MBM Commercial is an award-winning niche legal firm, pre-eminent in advising growing entrepreneurial companies and their investors and is well placed to offer advice in these areas.

To register for this event, email albaevents@innovationcentre.org or contact Alison on 01506 592100

Jun 08 23 Start: 09:30 End: 16:00

Wellness Innovation and Technology in association with G.P.B. Limited and SKF Condition Monitoring Centre (Livingston) Ltd are running an event looking at the regulatory, funding and ‘route to market’ issues for companies working in the health and wellness market at the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston on Monday 23rd June 2008.

This event will outline everything you need to know to take your product or service to market, how to manage the route to market (personal healthcare, medical and assistive devices), how to access appropriate government funding and much more.

Agenda

9:30 Registration and refreshments

10:00 Welcome and introduction

10.15 Networking activity session 1

10:30 The Route to Market for Healthcare Devices Rowan Norrie (Wellness Innovation Project)

11:15 Coffee Break

11.30 Networking activity session 2

11:45 Regulatory clearance to market for medical devices George Buchan (G.P.B Limited)

12:30 Design and development of medical electronic devices Gerry McGoogan (SKF)

13:00 Lunch & Networking 14.00 Networking activity session 3

14:15 Funding for wellness products and medical devices

14.30 IP for wellness products and medical devices Glen Wilson, Harrison Goddard Foote

15.00 Close

15:15 1 to 1 Surgery (by appointment)

15:15 Coffee / Networking / Chance to speak with presenters

To register for this event, email Alison on wellness.admin@innovationcentre.org or telephone 01506 592100

Jul 08 2 Start: 12:00 End: 14:00

The Alba Innovation Centre in partnership with MBM Commercial is presenting a series of lunchtime workshops offering expert advice on several aspects of growing and developing a high growth innovation business.

The first series of events which will take place throughout June will focus on 3 key stages of any company’s development. Firstly, engaging with and using a team of legal experts to help protect and grow your business, secondly, how to attract funding and finally, what to look for in an exit strategy.

Attendance at these workshops is free and offers companies the chance to get advice and knowledge from industry experts. MBM will be happy to chat with anybody who attends the workshops individually, after the event, or at a subsequent meeting.

Wednesday 2nd July 12 – 2pm How to sell your business and make a bundle of money. How do business owners achieve an exit, or to put it another way, how do you realise the investment made in your business, and buy a yacht?

Mark Michie, of MBM Commercial, explains the various options and briefly outlines the process and highlights what you need to consider along the way. MBM Commercial is an award-winning niche legal firm, pre-eminent in advising growing entrepreneurial companies and their investors and is well placed to offer advice in these areas.

To register for this event, email albaevents@innovationcentre.org or contact Alison on 01506 592100

Sep 08 12 Start: 10:00 End: 14:00

Maclays, Murray and Spens will run a series of 1:1 individual meetings to examine the legal and IP issues facing new innovative companies and outline the options available to these companies.

If you would like to attend this event or receive more information please email albaforums@innovationcentre.org

Sep 08 17 Start: 12:00 End: 14:00

The second of our lunchtime seminars looks at how business owners achieve an exit, or to put it another way, how do you realise the investment made in your business, and buy a yacht?

Mark Michie, of MBM Commercial, explains the various options and briefly outlines the process and highlights what you need to consider along the way.

If you would like to attend this event or receive more information please email albaforums@innovationcentre.org

Oct 08 9 Start: 14:00 End: 18:00

This year's 10BigThings Global Forum will take place in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh on Thursday 9th October 2008.

The objective of the 10BigThings Global Forum is to bring together key people from across a range of industies in Scotland to talk about what they predict to be their 'big thing for Scotland' over the next 1-3 years.

We had some very interesting, thought provoking issues from our speakers last year and we expect to get some more in 2008!

The confirmed speakers are:

Greg Papadopoulos, CTO, Sun Microsystems

Charles Armstrong, CEO, Trampoline Systems

Duncan MacTear, Marketing Director, 4Projects

Mark Taylor, Director, Developer Platform and Evangelist (DPE) team

Adrian Gillespie, Director of Priority Industries & Enabling Technologies, Scottish Enterprise

David Mitchell, Senior VP, Ovum in the Chair

To register your interest in attending this event or book space at the Scotsoft awards dinner following the global forum contact karen.meechan@scotlandis.com

Oct 08 15 Start: 12:00 End: 14:00

Many business people consider lawyers a necessary evil!

David Calder of MBM Commercial explains why lawyers are necessary and how their services and advice is essential for any new and/or growing innovative business. 

If you would like to attend this event or receive more information please email albaforums@innovationcentre.org

Nov 08 27 Start: 09:00 End: 14:00

A selection of public and private organisations will be on site to present and explain the range of services and support available to new companies in Scotland.

The day will be a mixture of workshops, displays, seminars and one-to-one sessions providing an ideal opportunity for companies to meet the key organisations that can help them grow their company.

If you would like to attend this event or receive more information please email albaforums@innovationcentre.org