1. Access Expertise and Funding to Develop your Business Making profitable connections with University Partners Caitlin McKenna

2. © Interface To facilitate businesses of all sizes and sectors to connect rapidly to the skills, expertise and resources available in the Scottish Higher Education sector Scottish Enterprise Highlands & Islands Enterprise Scottish Government Chambers of Commerce Trade Associations CBI Scotland IoD Scotland Accountants, Lawyers & Banks Networking Groups Business Advisors Intermediary Organisations Academic Partners All Scottish Universities & Research Institutes Business Community Referrals Via intermediary organisations Direct Contact Via events, word of mouth, press, etc. Interface - The Matchmaker for Business

3. © Interface Company contacts Interface “with problem to be solved” Question Identify suitable partners Establish capability & capacity Company selects partner Interface facilitates introductions Interface monitors progress Solution Collaboration established Funding Options How does it work in practice?

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

5. © Interface 230 Projects Underway (April 2010) 4 License deals Access to facilities CPD + staff interchange Student placements & research projects Consulting: Expert knowledge & feasibility study Research Collaborations o Knowledge Transfer Partnership o SME Collaborative Award (SCORE) o Business Transformation Partnership o Other 18 100 3 o Student assignments o Student placements o Sponsored PHD & Masters 36 16 17 9 6 5 16

6. © Interface Why work with Academia?

7. © Interface Knowledge & People Exchange Opportunities Student Projects CASE Studentships Consultancy Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Access Facilities Research Collaborations Feasibility StudySEEKIT feasibility funding Innovation Vouchers SMART TSB Collaborative Grants Framework 7

8. What kinds of companies have we worked with?

9. © Interface The Medical Device Company

10. © Interface Annandale Distillery

11. © Interface Think Analytics Ltd

12. © Interface WSI

13. © Interface Caitlin McKenna caitlin@interface-online.org.uk www.interface-online.org.uk