Business growth from Research-based Innovation + Networking

Date: Wed 13 Feb 2019

Venue: The Old Course Hotel, Old Station Road, St Andrews, KY16 9SP.

Times:
- 5.30pm – Networking + Sandwiches, hot & cold drinks

- 6pm – Speakers + Q&A

- 7pm [Approx] – Networking, sandwiches and drinks

Some of the most commercially-successful innovative products and services we know today have come about as a result of taking research done at universities or in companies to the marketplace.

Google’s search engine, seat belts, GPS, Saccharin, Web browsers, computers, LCD screens, Lithium-Ion batteries, LEDs, solar power, warfarin, ultrasound and medical scanners all began as purely knowledge-driven research before later being commercialised. 

All companies seek to gain sustainable competitive advantage over their competitors through innovation-driven product or service development. Working with a university to use its research to drive that innovation is often cheaper and faster than trying to create the relevant competencies internally. But how do you make the links to find the right people to work with?

Alternatively, how do you get the funding to create your own innovation internally via R&D? These are the questions this event will set out to answer for you

Expert: Dr Chantel Davies, Business Innovation Manager, Knowledge Transfer Centre, University of St Andrews.

Chantel is the Business Innovation Manager within the Knowledge Transfer Centre at the University of St Andrews. Her role is focused on building relationships with businesses and enterprise agencies by identifying opportunities for collaboration with the university’s research base.

Since graduating with a PhD in Evolutionary Biology in 2012, Chantel has worked in translational research - designing and delivering applied precision farming research. Prior to joining the university, Chantel developed and delivered research strategies for academic centres, supported business development activities for non-profit organisations and ran her own business writing competitive bids for academic-business collaborations

Expert: Paul Kyle, CIK Solutions

A practical, results-driven business consultant, Paul works with businesses to drive performance and organisational optimisation. His specialisms include R&D Tax Credits.

Paul’s work experience spans both the public and private sectors - with involvement in start-up ventures, franchises and commercial management roles within large national and international companies as well as a role in Economic Development for 13 years.

This afforded Paul experience in leading initiatives on inward investment, business growth and development, international trade, European funding and sectoral development.

Paul is educated to MBA level with associated diplomas in business advice and counselling.

Why you should attend

In this event you will learn:

• Opportunities for collaboration with the University of St Andrews
• Benefits to businesses and academics
• A deeper understanding of how innovation within business can be funded - specifically the value of HMRC’s R&D Tax Credit scheme as a source of funding.

BOOK NOW

Book your place by 12:00 Tuesday 12 February 2019.

N.B. Please notify the Club by email of any dietary requirements by the same day. You can also do this when you booking via Eventbrite.

PLEASE NOTE - Photos of attendees will be taken at this event and published on the Club's social media channels. You can let us know if you don't want to have your picture published.

Parking

There is free car parking at the hotel.

If you can’t get somewhere there, there is a large car park nearby at Petheram Bridge Google Maps - https://goo.gl/maps/3BtfNrqYcw32