1. EBN-IASP 2005 www.ebn-iasp-nantes2005.com 18-21 May 2005, Nantes Networking & Clustering “A dynamic to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe”

2. A joint conference of 2 international networks: EBN - A European network for Business Innovation Centres & incubators EBN - A European network for Business Innovation Centres & incubators IASP – An international network for science parks

3. EBN - the European BIC Network www.ebn.be www.ebn.be Founded in 1984, EBN offers services aiming at co-ordinating the activities of the Business Innovation Centres (BICs) 160 BICs (full members) in 21 countries in addition to 70 associate members who share the same objective of SME support and development Associate membership 2750 €

4. International Association of Science Parks (IASP) www.iasp.ws International Association of Science Parks (IASP) www.iasp.ws www.iasp.ws Also founded in 1984, a worldwide network of new Science & Technology Parks Members: 277 in 62 countries (members host 55,000 companies) Encourages partnerships among Science Parks and Incubators Encourages partnerships among Science Parks and Incubators Full membership: 1500 €; Associate: 295 € Full membership: 1500 €; Associate: 295 €

5. “BICs, Science and Technology Parks & Incubators can prove particularly dynamic in creating, stimulating and managing clusters The joint Congress provided an opportunity to assess the clustering and networking practices.” “BICs, Science and Technology Parks & Incubators can prove particularly dynamic in creating, stimulating and managing clusters The joint Congress provided an opportunity to assess the clustering and networking practices.”

6. Workshops Case Studies e.g.: Walloon region technology clusters Walloon region technology clusters Rhine-Neckar-Triangle Rhine-Neckar-Triangle Photonics clusters in Aston University Photonics clusters in Aston University Best tools and practices e.g.: DETECT-it – transnational clusters DETECT-it – transnational clusters Gate2Growth business plan evaluation tool Gate2Growth business plan evaluation tool eClusterNet eClusterNet

9. The Lisbon Strategy Innovation, science and research…making Europe a knowledge economy Mr Janez Potoznik, EU Commissioner for Research: Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) www.cordis.lu/fp7/home.html www.cordis.lu/fp7/home.html Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP) http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/cip/index_en.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/cip/index_en.htm “Collaboration will be viewed favourably”. Collaboration between research specialists & non-specialists will lower costs & contribute to competitiveness. “Collaboration will be viewed favourably”. Collaboration between research specialists & non-specialists will lower costs & contribute to competitiveness.

10. “Connecting R&D and Technology environments with SMEs and non- research players could one of the best ways of unlocking Technology Transfer and developing clusters” “Connecting R&D and Technology environments with SMEs and non- research players could one of the best ways of unlocking Technology Transfer and developing clusters”

11. Further information CORDIS Incubators Service: www.cordis.lu/incubators/home www.cordis.lu/incubators/home “Sharing Best Practice” www.eminadmin.co.uk www.eminadmin.co.uk Presentation Presentation Notes Notes Contact: Benoit Welch T: 0116 – 207 8339 E: bwelch@dmu.ac.uk bwelch@dmu.ac.uk