The seminar was free for North East entrepreneurs looking to apply to the North East Angel Fund and learn more about the investment process. Jonathan gave information on the other funds available. The North East Angel Fund is most appropriate for start-ups and spin-out businesses looking for early stage investment. 

The seminar provided key information on the aspects of venture capital involved in the fund, the application process and how to work with Rivers Capital and other investors. Details on what Rivers Capital look for in a business plan with lots of tips on how to make the plan more interesting to the venture capital industry generally.

A long question and answer session  produced some interesting information. Jonathan did say that VC funding was not for every business and he was willing to discuss the pros and ons with any NE based business looking at various funding options.

The workshop, the final in a series given by Winning Pitch, a high growth specialist consultancy that has enhanced the growth of 2,026 entrepreneurial companies in the last 3 years.

It was attended by several company directors and senior managers of high growth / potentially high growth SMEs operating in the Process and IT Industries.

As Winning Pitch informed its audience it is vital for high growth entrepreneurs to analyse the competition, generate and communicate new differentiators and implement strategies to exploit new opportunities. 

The day will comprised 4 sessions:

Your Success Factor – Forming the mindset that every successful entrepreneur needs.  

Your Battleground – Analysing your competitive market place.  Where is the gap?

Your Vision – Building a long-term strategy to exploit the gap.  

Your Difference – Communicating your expertise, your difference.

Anyone wnting to more about the event or how to set up a Winning Pitch event should contact the Innovation Accelerator to see how they can rapidly grow their business.

The Bewick Hall, Newcastle City Library, NE1 8AX

Wednesday 25^th April  2012
10:00 – 16:00

Workshop facilitator

This FREE workshop will be delivered by Tim Smith of Winning Pitch, a high growth specialist consultancy that has enhanced the growth of 2,026 entrepreneurial companies in the last 3 years.

Who Should Attend?

Company directors and senior managers of high growth / potentially high growth SMEs operating in the Process Industry

It is vital for high growth entrepreneurs to analyse the competition, generate and communicate new differentiators and implement strategies to exploit new opportunities.  The day will comprise 4 sessions:

Your Success Factor – Forming the mindset that every successful entrepreneur needs.  

Your Battleground – Analysing your competitive market place.  Where is the gap?

Your Vision – Building a long-term strategy to exploit the gap.  

Your Difference – Communicating your expertise, your difference.

The workshop will introduce 4 powerful fully  proven, high growth acceleration tools that you can immediately implement in your  business.

• Are you a Start-up or an established SME?
• Are you based in the North East of England?
• Do you operate within the Process Industry Sector? (e.g. Pharmaceutical, Personal / Health Care, Chemicals, Biotech, Functional Materials, Printable Electronic Components, Polymers or Composite Manufacturing).
• Do you have high growth plans within the next 3 years?

If you answered YES to all of the above questions then you qualify for our FREE workshop package

To register contact Steven Bagshaw on steven.bagshaw@uk-cpi.com

Download Flyer

Seventy-five Computing, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering students attended the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Workshop and benefited from tutorials and mentoring from CPI’s industry experts. They were taught about the varied routes to market for successful and innovative ideas, why technology innovation needs to be focussed on problem-solving and the basic elements required to pitch ideas to potential investors.

With tutorials given by proven business managers on the importance of successful and concise communication of key points when seeking investors for innovative, problem solving ideas, the student’s were then asked to work on, develop and deliver a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to the panel of experts and full auditorium.

Around 20 regional SMEs attended, developing new skills for business development, strategic planning and communication.

All those who attended found it useful and a follow up event is planned for April.

The workshop was delivered by Tim Smith of Winning Pitch, a high growth specialist consultancy that has enhanced the growth of 2,026 entreprenurial companies in the past 3 years.

Thursday 26^th April
09:00 – 11:00

Exhibition Area, Wilton Centre
Redcar, TS10 4RF

This FREE seminar is for North East entrepreneurs looking to apply to the North East Angel Fund and learn more about the investment process.

The seminar will provide key information on the aspects of venture capital involved in the fund, the application process and how to work with Rivers Capital and other investors.

• Taken by Jonathan Gold, Rivers Capital
• FREE breakfast is provided

Agenda

08:45 – 09:15 – Registration & Breakfast

Hot bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches
Fresh fruit
Muffins and biscuits
Tea & Coffee

09:15 – 09:30 – Welcome

Mike Anderson, Innovation Accelerator
Jonathan Gold, Rivers Capital

09:30 – 10:10 - Part I – The Investors Perspective

What investors are looking for when assessing a Business Plan
The importance of the Management Team
Innovative defensible products and/or services
Market size
Scalable Business Models

10:10 – 10:30 - Part II – NE Angel Fund Investment Process

10:30 – 10:45 - Part III - Post-Investment

Working with Business Angels
Adding Value post-investment

10:45 – 11:00  - Discussion and Networking

Download Information

Who Should Attend?

Company directors and senior managers of high growth / potentially high growth SMEs operating in the Process Industry

It is vital for high growth entrepreneurs to analyse the competition, generate and communicate new differentiators and implement strategies to exploit new opportunities. The day will comprise 4 sessions:

1. Your Success Factor. Forming the mindset that every successful entrepreneur needs.

2. Your Battleground. Analysing your competitive market place. Where is the gap?

3. Your Vision. Building a long-term strategy to exploit the gap. 

4. Your Difference. Communicating your expertise, your difference.

FREE to qualifying SMEs, Register early as places are limited.

To Reigster contact steven.bagshaw@uk-cpi.com

Dr Stephen Devine gave an excellent presentation entitled “Nanomaterials – the future is smaller than you think.” He initially explained the dramatic changes in properties of materials when reduced below 50nm. The subsequent rise in surface area and forces required to separate nano-particles are calculated to be enormous.  

Steve went on to describe the operation of the ConCor mill developed by Primary Dispersions where an inner spinning rod is moved close to the wall of an outer spinning chamber. The gap between the two rapidly spinning elements can be adjusted to micron levels and thus huge energies can be focussed on a very narrow area of dispersion. Particle breakdown is achieved without beads or other abrasive media as most of the interactions are particle to particle.

The shear forces produced are over 10 times more than conventional bead-milling, but as the forces are concentrated in a very precise gap it means less heat build up, less aggressive milling, faster through puts and an overall large saving in energy. The technology is powerful enough to separate TiO2 nano-particles but controllable enough to grind heat sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients.

It was demonstrated this process was able to take dispersions previously heavily bead-milled and quickly further reduce particles to nano-scale with a much improved size distribution range. Impressive results were demonstrated on a range of nano pigments (ZnO, TiO2 etc) and minerals (clays) suitable for surface coatings such as inkjet inks. Intriguingly some discussion of fully stable water in oil emulsions had been achieved in early trials without the need for surfactants, giving potential applications in the food industry.

Dr Devine admitted this was just the start of determining what the technology could do and Primary Dispersions are actively looking for partners to develop products and processes further. He urged any interested parties to contact him. Mailto Steve Devine

The presentation at Teesside University on 24th November was hosted by the Institute of Measurement and Control, and was well received by the audience prompting a long discussion section. Roger Mallinson of DRD Power explained the processes, some of the problems which were overcome and the technical specification of the plant.

The demonstrator unit is presently undergoing testing at Hunstman Tioxide in Greatham, and a full technical feasibility assessment will be concluded at the end of 2011. Early results have been very encouraging, with electricity produced from waste heat at temperatures as low as 78oC. Energy is converted from heat to electricity through the Organic Rankine Cycle which, although it is a well known process, operating efficiently at these temperature levels is a major achievement.

A 200kW rated ORC unit is able to produce electricity worth £100,000, equivalent to CO2 savings of 700T per annum. Part sponsored by The Carbon Trust and ONE, DRD Power have recently being given an IChemE – Highly Commended award for innovation and excellence. DRD Power intend to build and develop similar units based on the knowledge gained from this demonstrator.

Many industries are potential clients, so anyone with a waste heat stream between 90-130oC on part of their process should contact DRD Power and visit the demonstrator.