1. Making Connections with Academic Partners Biofuel: Funding and Legislation Workshop Stirling Tuesday 29 th March 2011 Laura Noble Interface – The knowledge connection for business

2. © Interface Interface – who we are and what we do Why work with a University? Who can you work with? Funding options Case Studies

3. © Interface Support for business available within Scotland’s Universities Research & technology capabilities Contract research Specialist expertise Access to equipment & facilities Consultancy Industrial placements Training, support & development Strategy, marketing & planning support

4. © Interface Business Community Interface – The Matchmaker for Business Academic Partners All Scottish Universities & Research Institutions Direct Contact Via events, word of mouth, press, etc Referrals Via Intermediary organisations

5. Our Partner Institutions

6. © Interface Company contacts Interface Identify suitable partners Establish Capability & capacity Company selects partner Facilitates introductions Monitors progress

7. Customers we have assisted

8. © Interface Working with academia: What are the benefits?

9. © Interface Collaborative Funding Opportunities Student Projects CASE Studentships Consultancy Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Access Facilities Research Collaborations Feasibility Study SEEKIT feasibility funding Innovation Vouchers SMART TSB Collaborative Grants Framework 7

10. © Interface SFC Innovation Vouchers Scheme  £1000 - £5000 grant to offset the costs of the collaborative project with one of Scotland’s HE institutions  Open to all SMEs with main business operations in Scotland (SC number)  Matched scheme, either with cash or in kind  The project should:  Lead to new products, services of process  Benefit the business, institution and Scottish economy  Encourage new partnerships and long-term relationships

11. © Interface Tips of the trade: working with academia  All partnerships are fuelled by trust - be open and honest and look for win-win solution  Nominate a Project Champion within the business who has the time and resources to drive things forward  Be clear about the solution required & agree timescales - progress check throughout the project  Activity does not always equal progress - milestones in place and project ownership needs to be clear

12. © Interface Seeking Simplicity

13. © Interface Jacobite Cruises

14. © Interface

16. www.interface-online.org.uk laura@interface-online.org.uk