INNOVATION E-NEWSLETTER SPRING 2009

Welcome to the fourth edition of INNOVATION - the newsletter that brings you all the news from Innovation Centres Scotland Ltd, Hillington Park Innovation Centre, Alba Innovation Centre, Wireless Innovation and Wellness Innovation and Technology.

Lots has been happening over the last 6 months from within the Innovation Centres and the initiatives and also with our clients.

Recession -  A Window of Opportunity?

These are undoubtedly tough times - the worst recession in generations, finance is tight businesses are working hard to keep afloat. Some are loosing the fight and thousands of jobs are being lost.

So what would you say to someone who asks your advice about starting up their own business as you survey the battle scarred landscape of an economic tsunami ?  Don't be daft...?

Perhaps you should reconsider that seemingly sage advice.

Research by Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing suggests that NOW might be the best time to start a high tech business.

The study's findings revealed that high tech companies established in the Cambridge Cluster during the recession of 1990s were more successful and had higher survival rates than those that began life in the boom years of the late 90s and early 2000s.

The report's authors suggested that one reason for the difference may be that only firms with good prospects were founded in the recession.

Of course the normal tests still apply, perhaps even more rigidly: - is the concept viable, is there a market for the product, is the business plan sound?

Bank finance may be tight but Scotland does have one of the most significant networks of business angels in Western Europe and the highly successful Proof of Concept fund among alternative sources from which young companies can find investment.    

Opportunities also exist in the current climate for established innovative companies. Collaboration with major companies seeking to outsource and develop partnerships with creative and flexible SMEs is a growing trend. We have recently hosted meetings with Nokia and Google to introduce them to exciting young Scottish telecoms companies and they have identified opportunities to work with some of these companies.

ICS strive to ensure our companies succeed, no matter what the economic climate brings.  We have over ten years experience in providing a unique range of business support services to young high-growth potential companies.

We have developed our own unique brand of ‘innovation services' and provide access to an extensive network of high-level business contacts whose experience can be brought to bear to inform decision making and  early stage planning.

The accelerator programme, only available to client companies, includes:

• access to a panel of experts in a ‘Dragon's Den' format where feedback on the business is given
•  teaming up with a leading legal firm to examine and manage Intellectual Property issues
• provision of legal document templates covering employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements,  licence agreements, contractor and supplier agreements
• an individually structured funding package covering equity, debt and grants 

The unique E³ programme recently developed by ICS has also been added to the portfolio of support available to client companies.   E³ matches leading entrepreneurs, executives and experts with start-up or young companies to help them achieve their growth potential.

Combining all these skills we have helped over 1000 companies across Scotland achieve their goals.

Finally, I'll leave you with one thought... Innovation will be key to leading the economy out of recession. We need to have the courage to throw open the window of opportunity the recession presents, embrace new ideas and encourage fresh thinking.

HILLINGTON NEWS

Open Again for Business

The flood-hit Hillington Park Innovation Centre is expected to be fully reopened and ready for business as usual by end of July.

Part of the building is already operational after the deluge that occurred in the early hours of May 11 following a major leak from the hot water tanks located in the roof space.

Currently there are approximately 12 tenant companies back in their offices following a major operation by ICS to assist clients identify and use temporary accommodation in the vicinity of Hillington and Glasgow.

While two thirds of the floor space was badly damaged in the flood the communications room, housing the mainframe server, was not affected which has allowed a quicker return for some clients than might otherwise have been the case. 

It is anticipated that a small number of the more mature companies located at the Centre will take the opportunity to ‘graduate' to premises that will accommodate their business development plans.

Ross Clark, the Centre director, said: "We moved quickly to initiate our emergency plan which worked very well in meeting the requirements of our tenants. Everyone has been very cooperative in difficult circumstances and we appreciate their understanding."

He added:" The natural process of a business incubation and support centre such as ours is for companies to move on or graduate when they have reached a certain level of development. A few companies have indicated they wish to take this step and we wish them every success in the future. The additional space provides us with an opportunity to work more actively to attract the young, dynamic technology companies that will provide the jobs and skills to drive the economy."

Making Enterprising Expertise Count

Oscar Wilde's view on advice - "The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on" - chimes with the ethos of the Hillington Park Innovation Centre (HPIC) Innovation Advisory Services Team.

With a combined business experience of 80 years, spread over a variety of industries, the HPIC team led by Ross Clark have the expertise and enthusiasm to assist enterprising young technology companies.

They work closely at any time with up to 40 growth pipeline companies providing support and advice using their own novel portfolio of innovative advisory services.

The scope of assistance client companies can expect to receive includes:

• on- site advice & guidance to client tenants seeking to develop new products or processes
• assistance to establish the technical feasibility and market opportunity of the project and to help develop an appropriate project plan.
• advice and assistance to new start up projects
• helping secure financial support to take clients through the initial developments phase
• providing companies with information and assistance on specific funding mechanisms, including  local grant sources
• supporting the company throughout the technology transfer process, providing tailored advice on the exploitation for the technology
• networking with partners to increase local awareness and to better understand local needs with regard to innovation support
• promoting development of opportunities with links to Universities, Commercial Partners and the Public Sector
• identifying new potential clients through active networking

They also operate the E³ programme developed by Innovation Centres Scotland which matches leading entrepreneurs, executives and experts with start-up or young companies to help them achieve their growth potential.

Let's introduce you to the team that brings unrivalled expertise to innovative enterprise.

Ross Clark

Ross is the company's Centre Director responsible for Hillington Park Innovation Centre. He has 30 years business experience comprising a combination of external consultancy, and senior management within SMEs and PLCs. Formerly an MD with the Howden Group he has also held senior sales & marketing and general management positions in the UK and overseas.

A wide range of support experience includes advising growing software and technology firms on strategic and innovative direction and action planning, developing people & management teams, and creating realistic sales and marketing plans. Ross is familiar with company growth issues and ways to assist business and process improvement. He was previously an advisor at Hillington prior to launching and managing its sister facility, the Alba Innovation Centre.

Ronnie Scotland

Ronnie delivers high quality commercial support to our young technology companies. Corporate roles in engineering, electronics and software with Shin-Etsu Handotai, Sun Microsystems and Applied Materials provided a wealth of commercial experience that enabled a successful career in the SME sector. His 29 years of business experience is applied daily in support of our young companies. Ronnie has become a specialist in recent years in helping young Scottish technology entrepreneurs validate, set-up, grow and successfully manage their businesses.

Gayle Cafferty

Gayle Cafferty is a pro-active business adviser with more than 6 years experience working with innovative and ambitious start up and early stage technology companies. She helped establish technical feasibility and market opportunity for innovative products and services, raising public and private sector finance and assisting with sales and marketing strategies to launch new products to market.

A recent addition to the Innovation Advisory Team Gayle previously developed her career within the private sector working mainly with SME e-business start ups in a Business Development capacity.

Gayle is a PSYBT Aftercare Adviser encouraging young people to develop thriving businesses in Glasgow. She also sits on the committee for the Business Forum West where early stage business can network and receive peer to peer support. Gayle holds a Diploma in Business Advice and Counselling.

Alan Muir

Alan brings to his role in the Innovation Advisory Team his professional experience as a biotechnologist and finance advisor. He has worked for more than fifteen years in biotechnology companies, university technology transfer and scientific research. Alan recently joined the team from Braveheart Investments where he managed a portfolio of technology companies, including HPIC clients. His finance background also includes venture capital and corporate finance experience, co-founding Seven Hills Venture Partners and working in corporate finance at McCabes. Alan holds a BSc in Chemistry, a post-graduate diploma in Pharmacology and a MBA majoring in International Banking and Finance from University of Strathclyde and ESC Toulouse.

INNOVATION CENTRE COMPANIES DEFY DOWNTURN

Companies supported by Hillington Park Innovation Centre are defying the economic downturn with record levels of investment, turnover and job creation.

The annual re view of the Centre's operations carried out at the end of March show that the 39 enterprises based at the Centre:

• Increased total turnover to £6.43 million a 43% rise
• Secured £9.29 million of new investment up by 320%
• Created 48 new jobs

Of the significant level of investment achieved by client companies at a time of restricted lending 98% was secured by six companies.  The remainder of fund raising came through grant awards made to nine of the Innovation Centre's companies.  A further £5.7 million of funding is in the pipeline.

Importantly the majority of the companies ICS work with are categorised as falling within the Scottish Enterprise definition of priority industries including digital media, enabling technologies and renewable energy.

Securing investment can be difficult for young companies in the best of times. In a global recession, sparked off by the financial sector heading for meltdown, raising funds presents a real challenge!

The issue of sourcing finance is one of the main priorities of the Innovation Centres Scotland (ICS) business advisory team.

Well aware of the impact the current climate in the finance market ICS set up an event earlier this year to give small technology companies an update on market conditions and how best to go about securing financial aid.

Representatives from the banking sector, investment angels, Scottish Enterprise Investments and entrepreneurs took part in the advisory session at the beginning of April which was attended by 50 client companies.

Advice included:

• Colin Adam, Clydesdale Bank, on how to pitch to the Banks in 2009, what they look for in a funding application and what they don't want to see
• Sacha Mann, Archangel Investments, on what an angel investor/syndicate wants to see in a funding proposal, what makes a good investment and what doesn't
• Karen Tang, Scottish Enterprise Investments, on what Scottish Enterprise can and can't do and examples of recent projects itwas able to assist
• Entrepreneurs Colin Urquhart of Dimensional Imaging and Paul Farley of Tag Games presented their real life experiences of how a funding package is pulled together in today's tough economic climate

Ross Clark, Centre Director of Hillington Park Innovation Centre said:" These results demonstrate the value of the supportive business environment we provide, particularly during a period of global economic crisis. Research by UK Business Incubation shows that the survival rate of small start-up enterprises supported by our type of specialist facility is almost double that of those in ordinary business parks."

Clark added: "I am delighted that even in the current difficult economic climate we can work with dynamic, ambitious and innovative companies who will add value to Scotland's economy not only for today but also for many years into the future."

Top Innovation Award for Dimensional Imaging's CEO

Scotland's top award for innovation has been awarded to Dr Colin Urquhart, CEO of Dimensional Imaging.

He was presented with the prestigious Gannochy Trust Award of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) for his work in developing 3D technology which is transforming a wide range of medical treatment. The technology also has applications in the entertainment industry.

Dimensional Imaging's DI3D^TM  system is the world's first commercial application of passive stereo photgrammetry to derive accurate, high resolution 3D surface images from only a stereo pair of images acquired using standard digital stills cameras. 

The breakthrough technology is being used in 13 countries over four continents for a range of applications such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, burns treatment, facial recognition, film and games.

The system is used to create pre and post surgery 3D images of the patient simulating the results of the treatment allowing the patient to see the expected outcome and giving the surgeon the opportunity to objectively assess the success of the procedure post-operatively. 

Established in 2002 and based at Hillington Park Innovation Centre, the company has recently launched its ground-breaking 4D surface image capture system which is capable of capturing 3D video sequences of dynamically changing surfaces.

Dr Urquhart was presented with his award, which carries a £50,000 prize, by Gannochy Trust Chairman, Mr. Mark Webster and RSE President Lord Wilson of Tillyorn.

Accepting the award, Dr Urquhart said he was very honoured and added:" There are exciting worldwide opportunities and markets for our DI3D^TM technology, but Scotland is an excellent pace for dimensional Imaging to be based as it allows us to access the clinical mass of world-leading expertise in imaging processing and computer vision in Scotland's Universities."

KPT crowned best "Emerging Software Business" at the 2008 Scottish Software Awards.

KeyPoint Technologies (UK) Ltd won the best "Emerging Software Business" for 2008 at the Scottish Software Awards in Glasgow.

HPIC based KPT have breathed the first innovation into the mobile text entry market for a decade because it uses new technology to learn from users and suggest words to users in advance, delivering a unique "Think Ahead" mobile experience. Adaptxt software, patented by KPT, has been described as "predictive text with steroids". HP, the leading global computer and smartphone manufacturer have embedded KPT's Adaptxt technology in the new HP iPAQ Voice Messenger.

The Scottish Software Awards provides the industry's most innovative companies the opportunity to showcase their business and be recognised for their contribution to the industry and the Scottish economy.

Andrew Glen (Head of Products & Services) at KeyPoint Technologies (UK) Ltd who collected the award on behalf of KPT stated, "this is great news for KeyPoint: we have a dedicated team here who are very excited about KPT's Adaptxt technology and the new levels of personalisation we can bring to smartphones over the coming years. It is wonderful recognition of our progress since 2006 and everyone involved with KPT can be very proud"

Switched on to Growth of Renewable Energy Companies

As the environment increasingly becomes the victim of the harmful effects of carbon dioxide emissions remarkably nature herself holds out potential solutions to the problem.

Renewable energy sourced from water, wind, waves, landfill waste, tide and biomass can help combat global climate change.

Here the Scottish government has set a target of achieving half of our electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.

Hillington Park Innovation Centre has also taken up renewable energy baton and is creating a hub of Scottish based companies dedicated to developing the technologies that will assist harnessing the natural resources necessary to meet the stringent green energy targets.

Renewable energy is a growth sector within the Scottish economy. The industry body Scottish Renewables reported a 4% growth in turnover in 2008 to £570 million, with a similar rise in sector employment to 2,660.

In the last nine months the Scottish Government says the private sector invested £1billion in the industry. Industry sources indicate there are continuing investment opportunities in a sector that is performing better than most in the current economic climate.

The surge in the industry's growth has been reflected in the tenant profile of the Innovation Centres Scotland managed Hillington Park Innovation Centre where one in five companies is engaged in the sector.

These include companies providing software to monitor efficient use of green energy, developing tidal current generation systems, generating power  from landfill waste and wind driven turbines.

The move to attract young innovative companies to Hillington specialising in creating the technologies that will drive the development of renewable energy is a planned strategic move by ICS management.

Having identified the growth potential of the renewables sector in the past 2 years companies are being targeted and given assistance and advice under Hillington's novel E³ programme of business support which provides access for tenant companies to leading entrepreneurs, executives and experts.

Ross Clark, Centre Director for Hillington said, "Hillington has become a hub of innovation for the renewable energy sector in Scotland and we are tapping into a number of industry experts to help our companies grow and identify new opportunities in this exciting marketplace."

Hillington Park Innovation Centre is helping nature fight back in the battle against global warming.

A Wind of Opportunity

Being swept by winds from all parts of the compass does blow benefits in Scotland's direction. In an era of growing recognition of the importance of green energy in sustaining the environment and the economy wind is a winner.

Harnessing the wind will play a central role in realising Scotland's potential to become the green energy powerhouse of Europe.

Gaia-Wind one of Hillington Park Innovation Centre's cluster of renewable energy companies, blew in on the wind of opportunity from Denmark in 2008.

Its small wind turbine technology, based on the Danish Design used for most large wind turbines on the market, is the only one to achieve the Danish government's HB-standard certification.

One of the company's 11KW turbines will completely eradicate the carbon foot print of a four person household. Generating up to 30,000kWh of electricity a year the turbine has two blades, a 13 m diameter rotor and requires 3.o metres per second of wind speed for it to start producing.

If connected to the grid any surplus electricity generated will be sold to the national distribution network.

An alternative to selling to the public grid is to feed back surplus power into hot water tanks, storage heaters and under-floor heating systems.

The control system, developed from those used in large turbines, contains multiple sensors which continuously monitor the status and performance of the turbine via the internet.

With seven turbines already generating power for Scottish clients, 15 across the UK and sales growth in mainland Europe Kenneth Peterson of Gaia Wind said: "We have the turbine technology to harness Scotland's excellent wind conditions to give farmers, landowners, small businesses and individuals the opportunity to produce their own green energy from the wind. Being part of the renewable energy hub being developed at Hillington gives us the support and confidence to grow our business in a sustainable environment".

Johnnie Andringa, Managing Director of Gaia Wind said:" At a time when energy prices are constantly fluctuating, producing your own electricity with the potential to sell the any surplus, brings a welcome stability to your budget and the satisfaction of doing your bit to reduce carbon emissions."

ALBA NEWS

Alba Innovation Centre - A Haven From the Economic Storm

New figures show that young companies based at the Alba Innovation Centre in Livingston are weathering the storm of the global economic crisis.

Despite the severe economic conditions tenant companies:

• created more jobs
• increased turnover
• secured significant new investment

A review of the Centre's operations for last year when the financial crisis began to bite also reveals that the survival rate of tenant companies was 93%.

Since the Centre opened in 2005 to provide incubation support for fledgling enterprises it has achieved an average survival rate of 83% compared to a four year Scottish average of 54%.

The Alba Centre, managed by Innovation Centres Scotland (ICS), is currently home to 20 small technology companies who employ a total of 92 people.

Fourteen of the tenant companies are actively account managed by ICS business support advisers who provide a wide range of specialist assistance.

In the past year these companies achieved an aggregate 66% increase in turnover to £2.8 million and grew their operations to create an additional 29 jobs.

Significantly in a period of severe monetary restraint they also secured a total of £1.6 million in equity finance from investors.

Tom Ogilvie Chief Executive of ICS, said:" These are excellent results for everyone involved, achieved in very difficult economic circumstances.  The early stages of creating a successful enterprise are critical to its survival. The last thing would-be entrepreneurs need as they work to establish a successful business is the worst economic climate in fifty years."  

"The specialist advisory support we can bring to the process of creating a commercially viable enterprise is even more valuable in the current economic climate. "

He added: "West Lothian has experienced fluctuating economic fortunes, initially with the loss of the coalmining industry in the 80s and more recently with the demise of the electronics manufacturing sector. On each occasion it has worked hard to recover and diversify its business base. The Alba Innovation Centre is a vital element of that ongoing process of creating new businesses and new jobs."   

ICS manage the Alba Innovation Centre on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and David Caughey, director of industries, innovation & commercialisation at Scottish Enterprise said "We welcome today's news about the great results achieved by the Alba Innovation Centre, particularly during these difficult economic times." 

CIQUAL - a Telecoms Success

The development of mobile broadband is rapidly becoming the key area of growth for mobile operators.

But critical to the providers' ability to realise the enormous potential of the mobile technology is having the capability to enhance the quality of the service.

Ciqual, based on the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston, was formed in 2007 to develop software that would give providers the information needed to keep abreast of customer expectations.

The concept was a mobile broadband monitoring system that would capture service performance data and user experience, deliver it in real time to providers enabling them to improve their customer service.

Based in the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston, which is managed by Innovation Centres Scotland Ltd (ICS), Ciqual has now successfully developed its Session Insight System.

It delivers the most accurate, real-time, dynamic view of mobile broadband service and user experience. It captures the per-session experience of real users and delivers key customer experience indicators without having to deploy multiple data processing servers and storage.

A major step in the development of the company came in March 2009 when it secured funding of £1.25 million to accelerate product development and sales.

The investment was financed by a consortium consisting of Par Syndicate and the  Scottish Enterprise Scottish Co-investment Fund.

From its base on the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston, Ciqual is now engaged with some of the world's largest mobile operators and device suppliers.

In May Ciqual also announced a partnership with OSI which has over 20 years of experience in providing innovative software solutions for both Tier 1 Communication Service Providers as well as emerging operators.

Central to the success of Ciqual has been the assistance received from Wireless Innovation, the national initiative for the development of wireless and mobile technologies in Scotland managed by ICS on behalf of Scottish Enterprise.

David Bonner a co-founder of Ciqual and Vice President, Marketing, said: "The support we have had from Wireless Innovation has been invaluable. They opened the door to a network of global contacts we could only dream of. They introduced us to two leading international industry analysts who provided critical market research. Access was also provided to global companies including Nokia and Motorola to identify sales or partnership opportunities. We are currently pursuing two sales opportunities that are solely due to relationships created from working with the Wireless Innovation Team."

Design LED - Illuminating Technology

The technological know-how of Design LED has helped transform the working environment across the medical, manufacturing and service sectors of the economy. 

Their products also illuminate a myriad of aspects of daily life from driving a car to switching on the radio.

Design LED develops and manufactures the lightguide systems that illuminate dashboards, medical instruments, industrial switches, signage, branding and   consumer white goods.

A tenant company of the Alba Innovation Centre, Livingston, Design LED was formed in 2004, and have developed and patented an innovative printed lightguide and Light Emitting Diode (LED) illumination technology and related lightguide structures.

Its thin, flexible displays providing bespoke solutions for clients are less than 1mm thick.

Design LED's first products were for signage and point of sale applications but the company has since expanded into automotive, medical and consumer markets.

Typically for a young dynamic and innovative company it is constantly developing and revolutionising the LED technology to improve cost efficiency, performance, feature set and its understanding of how to best integrate its technology into OEMs products.

As an account managed company of the Alba Innovation Centre, managed by Innovation Centres Scotland, Design LED has access to the wide range of business support services, Accelerator Programme portfolio and the E³ initiative all of which give unprecedented access to an experienced team of business advisors and an extensive network specialist contacts.

Stuart Bain, CEO, Design LED, is quite clear about the benefits derived from being an Alba tenant: "When you are at our stage of the company's development, lots of people offer to help. At the Alba Innovation Centre what you get is the right support at the right time to move the business through critical stages of growth."

eoLogic - Cutting edge software solutions

Software solution company eoLogic are nothing if not motivated and visionary to the point of being globally ambitious.

Jim Foley, eoLogic's CEO, is quite is quite matter of fact: "We are trying to create a world where applications are free from bugs."

The technology developed by the Alba Innovation Centre based company takes a new approach to detecting, diagnosing and fixing software problems. At the moment their groundbreaking solutions are focused on the Java Enterprise market.

They are leading the market with their solution which monitors applications as they are running and looks for anti-patterns of poor behaviour, matches those with patterns of good behaviour and suggests potential fixes.

Now with six years of experience behind them and clients that include Minnesota Revue, USA and Aegon Benefits, London, eoLogic is set to enter a period of significant expansion that will help them realise their ambitions.

Investment of £300,000 from Archangel and the Scottish Enterprise Co-Investment Fund has recently been secured as the company looks to develop its sales in India one of the world's largest software testing centres. It's predicted that by 2012 80% of the world's software testing will be carried out there.

Expansion has also meant moving into a second office and creating new jobs at the Innovation Centre in Livingston which is managed by Innovation Centres Scotland. Three new members of staff already on board are expected to be joined by up to another four by the end of 2009 taking the total payroll to 12.

Being a tenant of the Alba Innovation Centre says Foley, has been critical to the company's development. "Just over third of the investment in the company has been via the public sector and a great deal of that has been assisted by the Innovation Centre who have eased the whole process, "he said.

He added: "The Innovation Centre is a fulcrum point. It is a recognised centre of technology expertise and that in itself breeds confidence. You don't feel that you are in a backwater. Your start-up doesn't fell like a start-up."       

WIRELESS NEWS

Scotland's Digital Market faces major change

The mobile and wireless industry is changing rapidly as it enters a third phase of evolution to accommodate the digital era and  the Scottish sector needs to sit up and take notice or risk  being left behind", says Alisdair Gunn, Senior Innovation Manager of Wireless Innovation.(www.innovationcentre.org/wireless/)

Mobile World Congress 2009, in Barcelona earlier this year,  heralded big changes for the sector. The emergence of the Apple iPhone and the surge in mobile application stores from the industry's OEM's and Operators has made access to the customer much clearer. Developers now have a clear path to sell their applications and content and finally make money from them! 

The Apple iPhone has set the standard for future development of applications and content across the globe - companies can now develop on one platform and one operating system, eliminating  the requirement to port from one platform to another. This  major barrier to  the growth of SMEs across the market for many years has finally been removed.

Evolution is an issue Wireless Innovation has had to address at each stage of its own growth.  The wireless and mobile industry has grown 92% since Wireless Innovation was established in 2003, necessitating the evolution of its services to capitalise on the industry changes. The initiative which was set up by Innovation Centres Scotland Ltd,(www.inovationcentre.org) with funding from Scottish Enterprise and the European Union, focuses on supporting companies in Scotland developing applications systems and content, delivered across mobile, wireless and digital media platforms.   

The key deliverable of the initiative is to help companies identify the uniqueness and commercial value of their product offering and provide comprehensive support in areas which help them differentiate their product/service from their competition. Support available to companies includes Market Intelligence/Analysis, Product Development and Business Development Support. 

With an extensive knowledge of the sector's commercial and technology value chains, the Wireless Innovation team utilises their knowledge to connect the industry's multinational companies directly with the leading SME's across Scotland. 

This was demonstrated at last month's  Digital Content event, where Wireless Innovation hosted Nokia at the Hillington Park Innovation Centre .  Following  several successful meetings at Mobile World Congress with six of Scotland's mobile and wireless entrepreneurs, Nokia met a further 23 companies in Scotland  stimulating great interest amongst the  developer community. This partnership linkage has subsequently opened direct access for companies in Scotland to do ‘real' business with Nokia at an international level.

Benjamin Roszczewski, Business Development Manger from Forum Nokia said, "We came to Scotland to identify the latest innovation in new digital information applications and were overwhelmed with the response.  We were very impressed with the calibre of companies and are currently having further discussions with companies like Ciqual, Keypoint Technologies, Mobile Sports, Hed Out and one of the commercialisation opportunities from Glasgow Caledonian University".  

Nokia Spreads it Web

Mobile telecoms giant Nokia met with 23 of Scotland's young mobile technology companies in its continuing search to explore potential partnerships and joint business opportunities.

The workshop with leaders of Forum Nokia involved web mangers, designers, mobile application developers and digital media and marketing executives looking to develop a mobile web strategy for their business. 

As a result of the meeting organised by Wireless Innovation at Hillington Park Innovation Centre, Nokia undertook to assist 16 of the participating companies.

Alisdair Gunn Senior Manager of Wireless Innovation, commented: "This was a unique opportunity for the Scottish mobile developer community to meet with a global leader in the field. They were able to discuss the tools, techniques, issues, obstacles and strategies important to those working on developing the mobile web."

Benjamin Roszczewski, Business Development Manager from Forum Nokia said, "We came to Scotland to identify the latest innovation in new digital information applications and were overwhelmed with the response.  We were very impressed with the calibre of companies and are currently having further discussions with Picsel, Keypoint Technologies, Mobile Sports, Hed Out and one of the commercialisation opportunities from Glasgow Caledonian University"

SCOTLAND CLICKS WITH GOOGLE

Internet giant Google is set to continue its search for potential partners among Scotland's web and technology development companies.

They plan to hold a second meeting with young innovative technology companies later this year following the success of their initial two day interaction with the sector in Scotland.

Robert Swerling, Principal of Google's New Business Development Team, said: "I have been deeply impressed by the creativity and energy of the Scottish hi-tech scene. Scotland has historically been a global leader in innovation, and its young companies are helping keep this tradition alive."

His praise came at the end of the Digital Content seminar and one to one meetings for companies focusing on web technologies, software developers and webmasters to discuss and debate the issues, strategies and competition that lie ahead within the Open Mobile and Internet Markets.

Other key industry participants included  Nick Jones, VP and distinguished analyst with Gartner, Gordon Povey, VP Research with Artilium, and Joe Hughes, Insight Manager with Yomego.

The Google team gave an overview of where they saw the market in 2019 with everyone carrying an internet enabled mobile phone in their pocket, which will be permanently switched on.

Ecommerce systems will be greatly improved and systems will need to be enhanced to provide customers with exactly the same experience online or via mobile that they do purchasing items in a shop. 

According to Google, by 2019 the web will be both personal and social.  The technology will be able to figure out who you are, where you are, what you are doing and who you are meeting, building up a social picture of your life.  The web will be the main media platform for marketing and utilising the data that is being collected on individuals',  marketing messages will become much more targeted and specific.

Tom Ogilvie, ICS, the organisation that runs the Wireless Innovation initiative on behalf of Scottish Enterprise said: "The comments are very encouraging and support our commitment to help grow Scotland's leading, innovative, high growth potential companies.  Google are keen to revisit Scotland and meet another tranche of like-minded SME's and we are already in discussions with them to make this happen."

AV9 - Rockin' all Over the World

Digital media company AV9 is close to finalising a project that will help Japanese rock and pop musicians break into the Western market.

The Glasgow based company is in the process of establishing a branded internet portal called Mokomoko that will provide the channel to give Japanese stars access to a new audience.

Grahame Smith, CEO of AV9 - a client company of Wireless Innovation - is the man behind the project. "The Japanese market is very difficult to break into but we have long established links that are coming to fruition.  Our Japanese partner is signing up some big names and we are looking to launch the project at the end of July, "Smith explained.

Mokomoko will be deployed on Nokia's recently launched OVI platform.

AV9 is also involved in creating a new commercial internet based radio station for "unashamed dedicated fans of rock".

Called Mammoth it will provide a space for people to contribute content and make their own shows and create a community around a common interest. 

In creating their branded internet based products AV9 is targeting niche - but large - markets, bringing creator and consumer closer together allowing users to discover, experience, and contribute to the very best entertainment content from around the world.

AV9 is dedicated to originating and producing a new wave of entertainment formats which combine Mobile TV, Internet Radio, Social Networking, and Ecommerce.

Car Jack Streets - It's all about the money!

Tag Games are proud to announce the release of their Grand Theft Auto style crime, action and driving game Car Jack Streets for the iPhone and iPod Touch!

Launching on the App Store on Tuesday 28th April 2009 Car Jack Streets blends a huge, open world environment, a wide number of vehicles to steal and drive, a limitless number of missions to attempt, real time game-play with day and night cycles, lots of weapons and power-ups, a soundtrack featuring 80 minutes of the best in unsigned musical talent, achievements, online leaderboards, clowns and much, much more!

You play as Randal Meyers a small time guy in big time trouble. Having run up debts of $1 million to the Italian mob its now time to pay your dues to the godfather Frankie or face an early grave. Frankie wants $50,000 this week and every week until the debt is paid off. Do whatever you can to earn that cash! Steal cars, rob banks - hell even deliever pizzas if you have to just make that payment on time or it's all over...

What the press say...

"being in debt to the mob has never been such fun!" 9/10 App Gamer.net

"an outstanding title" 9/10 WePlayiPhone.com

" a thoroughly enjoyable GTA style romp" 4/5 iPhoneGamesNetwork.com

Available on the iPhone App Store

KEY FEATURES

Play in REAL TIME

Infinite number of missions

Detailed 3D city to explore

Lots of vehicles to steal!

Big weapons

Awesome 80 minute soundtrack

Online rankings

Achievements and hidden stuff

Clowns

WELLNESS NEWS

Healthy Progress for New Project

A review of the embryonic Wellness and Health Innovation (WHI) programme shows it has exceeded a key first year target after just six months in operation.

WHI was launched in October 2008 to assist existing and new Scottish companies to take advantage of the opportunities in an emerging global industry.

It was set the target of supporting 30 companies in its first year. The six month report reveals that the project, which is managed by Innovation Centres Scotland on behalf of Scottish Enterprise with European Union ERDF  funding ,   has already worked with 55 businesses.

The WHI team has also hit 13 of the 15 development milestones set for the project.

Three main services are offered to client companies: Market intelligence; Product, technology and innovation support; Business development/routes to market.

The most frequently requested assistance is for market intelligence although the majority of companies use a combination of the services to develop their business.

The majority of WHI clients are based in the central belt with significant growth in the North of Scotland with the recent establishment there of a dedicated resource.

Janette Hughes, WHI project manager, commented:" The rapid growth in our client base demonstrates we are filling a gap in the market place. We are delighted with our progress to date and will seek to build on our initial success to help ambitious and innovative Scottish companies exploit the opportunities of a dynamic global market."

Scotland leading the world in Telecare and Telehealth

The interactive world of Web2.0 will enable people with long term health conditions to personally monitor their illness while living at home.

Technology is changing the global delivery of healthcare provision and empowering patients to manage their own wellness and health.

The shift in healthcare enabled by telecommunications technologies also offers excellent opportunities for innovative technology companies according to industry experts addressing a conference in Edinburgh.

More than 80 delegates attending the event, organised by Innovation Centres Scotland (ICS), were told Scottish technology companies are already playing a leading role in the development and delivery of telehealth and telecare devices and services, a market estimated to be worth almost £4b a year*.

Tola Sargeant a senior analyst with Ovum, a leading business information provider operating in the technology and information, communication and telecoms sectors, said: "Scotland is a leader in the world of telehealth and telecare. These are growing sectors, where there is an opportunity for companies to develop new technologies and services to improve the health of the population and to assist people to live longer in their own homes."

She added: "Many Scottish SMEs have innovative products for these markets that are attracting interest from around the world." 

A more mobile and e-literate workforce will also benefit from utilisation of Web 2.0 allowing health records to be shared online and information made more accessible via online tools such as Google Health or Health Vault from Microsoft.  

Raymond O'Hare, Director of Microsoft Scotland said, "The Wellness and Health Sector is definitely a new emerging sector for the Scottish economy and, as we have seen through our own promotion of Health Vault, there is significant opportunity in this market.  The Wellness and Health Innovation Project is an excellent platform on which to build a community of SME's already working in this sector and encourage other entrepreneurs to develop innovative technologies to service this sector.  Microsoft is delighted to be involved with the project and we're looking forward to a long term relationship with WHI to help developers work with Microsoft through our partner programme".

Fit Zone - An Exercise in Entrepreneurship

Bev Gove's company Zone Fit Ltd is firmly in step with the drive to improve Scotland's health and wellbeing.

An Aberdeen-based professional fitness instructor, her Fit Zone^TM equipment and exercise programme, is setting the pace as the next major activity for keep fit enthusiasts.

Fit Zone^TM involves choreographed movement using a floor based frame as the focal point for moving through or around. The height of the frame can be adjusted to increase the level of aerobic activity to suit the participants.

With accompanying DVD programmes the equipment can be used for simple or complex movement routines by groups or individuals either at home or in clubs.

Originally conceived to help elderly people, who found it helpful to exercise if they had something on the floor to move around, the equipment has now been developed for people of all ages and fitness ability, including athletes.

But taking the original idea from paper to a market ready product has proved a strenuous exercise in entrepreneurship.

Because she lacked the resources it has taken Bev more than eight years to develop her equipment and exercise programme into a viable product that is now being used in six Aberdeen clubs and gyms and other parts of the UK.

A key step forward came in 2004 when her Fit Zone^TM project won the "Red Bull Fitness Focus" competition and with it professional advice and assistance.

Now she is receiving business development, market intelligence and sales and marketing support from Scotland's Wellness and Health Innovation Project.

"Working with the Wellness and Health Innovation team is a fantastic experience. Their assistance has come just a right time in the development of the company," said Bev.

An interview with Ralf from Funky Moves

Describe your current business

Funky Moves is a young energetic start-up company with a passion for physical activity and sport.

The Funky Moves innovative products aim to encourage people of all ages to participate in enjoyable physical activity by providing new activity games enhanced by their interactive equipment.   

What makes you innovative/unique?

Early in our in our research, we discovered that children are fascinated by interactive technology and spend lots of time in from of computers etc, so we have utilised this fascination and interaction to get them away from the TV and PC and back onto the playing field through our interactive Funky Cones concept.

A number of other companies take a similar approach e.g. Nintendo Wee using interactive technology alongside physical sport to make children mobile, but our unique advantage is that we utilise the same interaction, but you can take the product outside as well as use it indoors.

Who are your key clients?

Our key clients include primary schools, special needs schools and local councils. 

Why did you choose the Alba Innovation Centre to locate your business?

The Innovation Centres have an excellent track record in helping young fledging companies to become successful through personal contacts and from well organised, targeted events.  The support we receive at the Centre is excellent and continuous.  The serviced offices are modern and the tailored services are specifically designed for young technology companies starting out in business.  I would definitely say we've recouped our licence fee back with interest!  

Where do you feel Wellness have added value to your business?  What impact has it had?

We really needed help opening doors in some of our key markets so we were introduced to John Coutts, an advisor working with the Wellness team who is well connected in the leisure centre market and local Scottish councils.  As well as providing real hands-on support, John really excelled in making connections and contacts that Ralf, as a one man business, would have found it difficult to make.  John gave demos of the Funky Cones and completed two sales into Scottish Councils as well as making a number of other connections which Ralf is now following up.

John gave some invaluable input into some of the features of the product, carried out some research into various markets from which it became apparent that the leisure centre market was definitely a key market for Funky Moves.

Where do you see the future growth potential of your business?

There is definitely a great opportunity for Funky Moves in the educational market, initially in the UK and across Europe and the US.  We can also see opportunities in new markets e.g. sports market, leisure market and ultimately developing this product for the consumer market which we believe we would need to do via a licensing partner.

The Great Scottish Run

The Wellness and Health Innovation project are putting together a team to participate in the Great Scottish Run on 6th Sept. The run takes place through Glasgow City Centre and we would love you to join us! To join the team, email us at wellness@innovationcentre.org and we'll send you entry details. Look forward to running with you...

GENERAL NEWS

Upcoming Events

August 2009 - Wireless Innovation - Orange Partner Application Shop at the Hillington Park Innovation Centre

1 September 09 - Wellness & Health Innovation - Art and Humanities Innovation Workshop in Edinburgh

17 September 09 - Wellness & Health Innovation - Strathclyde Uni Institute of Medical Devices in Glasgow

1 October 09 - Wellness & Health Innovation - IAL White Paper Launch in Stirling

6 November 09 - Wellness & Health Innovation - Open Doors Launch in the Hillington Park Innovation Centre

QPrizeTM Competition 

Qualcomm Ventures is promoting the "QPrize^TM" a series of international business plan competitions designed to provide over $500,000 in early stage capital for enterprising technology companies. The competition is open to entrepreneurs located throughout the world and will feature semi-final events in key locations where Qualcomm Ventures has active investment offices. Qualcomm Ventures will select one semi-finalists for each of the four contest markets: China, Europe, India and North America. These four semi-finalist will each receive $100,000 (USD) of convertible note funding from Qualcomm Ventures and will be invited to the Qualcomm Ventures CEO Summit in San Diego, Calif. to compete for the Grand Prize. The grand prize winner will receive an additional $150,000 (USD) of convertible note funding, for a total prize of $250,000 (USD) in venture financing.

Competition Deadline 31st July 2009. To enter go to http://www.qualcomm.com/ventures/qprize/index.html