BUSINESS GROWTH ‘Balanced economic development’ Dr David Parry SEEDA, UK

Business Growth Aim ‘Explore methods of creating wealth, in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly context, through the development of the knowledge-based economy’

Bad news… Regions lagging behind global competition in investment and performance Many ‘traditional’ industries uncompetitive Not good at commercialising IP from research base

Good news… Relatively wealthy regions Excellent research base Some excellent high tech/knowledge-based industries Markets becoming more accessible Support for Business Growth – including The Grow Programme

Sub- themes 1.Help create high-tech companies 2.Encourage entrepreneurship 3.Support cluster development 4.Enhance technology transfer 5.Encourage international trade 6.Encourage skills and mobility

1. Help create high-tech companies Create international network business incubators – help support organisations and help companies Examples: - best practice - B2B opportunities - increase awareness - provide learning opportunities Results: - More high tech companies - More international trade

2. Encourage entrepreneurship Build capacity and capability Examples: - develop entrepreneurial curriculum - support entrepreneurial activities - educating educators - entrepreneurial life-long learning programmes Results: - more courses - more students taking courses

3. Cluster development Establish collaborative and international network key clusters Examples: - identify key clusters - forge links - encourage best practice - opportunities for international trade Results: - more active clusters - more international trade

4. Enhance technology transfer Create international network facilitating co-operation between research and industry Examples: - identify best practice - identify industry needs - improve accessibility - improve awareness - encourage flexibility of contracts Results: - increase commercialisation of IP - increase business between industry/research

5. Encourage international trade Increase alliances, inward investment and profitable trade Examples: - desk studies of best practice - ‘soft landing’ support - facilitate new international business alliances - facilitate new business development - promote links between business and academia Results: - more international trade - more international companies - network of support

6. Encourage skills and mobility Solutions to current and future skills gaps in workforce Examples: - desk studies to identify gaps (current/future) - sharing best practice - pilot approaches to common qualifications - facilitating breakdown in barriers to workforce mobility Results: - increase in relevant skills - increase in mobility of workforce

Business Growth – budget and target Budget of E2.5 million Fund 6 – 8 projects Target public sector, private sector, educational establishments

Business Growth – Indicators of success More companies created Jobs created/safeguarded More IP commercialised New partnerships developed New best practice models developed Regional strategies up-dated

Business Growth – what next? Questions? Access web-site for more details Contact regional correspondent for help on partner search, bid writing, translation etc Put in your bid!