12th July 2010
Collaborate2Innovate, the leading free event dedicated to building profitable partnerships between organisations in the Solent region, has today announced that this year’s event will take place on 2nd November 2010 in Portsmouth. At Collaborate2Innovate 2010, businesses, entrepreneurs and technology specialists will discover new business opportunities through collaborative innovation in order to help them stay ahead of their competitors.
The strategic role that collaboration plays in successful companies is now well documented with new and superior innovation, products and services being brought to market by the partnering of companies with very different skill sets, working together towards a mutually beneficial business goal. This year’s Collaborate2Innovate 2010 will offer organisations in the Solent and surrounding regions the opportunity to forge strategic partnerships with other like-minded companies that competitors will not be able to replicate.
The Collaborate2Innovate 2010 steering committee is led by Solent Synergy Limited, the not-for-profit organisation that helps innovative businesses grow and succeed in the Solent region. Solent Synergy is this year joined by a host of local business and academic sponsors, including both founding sponsors BDO LLP and Paris Smith LLP, plus Genetix plc, D Young & Co, Blake Lapthorn, Grant Thornton LLP, the Solent’s four universities (Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Solent and Southampton), South East Design, The Solent Innovation & Growth Team and the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire.
The first keynote confirmed for Collaborate2Innovate 2010 is Chair of the Governing Board, of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, Software Group Europe at IBM, Dr Graham Spittle CBE.
“The TSB’s role is to connect and catalyse to stimulate innovation,” says Dr Spittle. “We support and invest in research, development and commercialisation, spread knowledge and bring people together to solve problems and make new advances. The aims of Collaborate2Innovate are closely aligned to the TSB’s goals and I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak at the opening of this exciting event, to explain more about the TSB and how companies see collaboration as an essential driver of growth.”
Collaborate2Innovate 2010 follows 2009’s successful inaugural event in Southampton, which was attended by over 300 delegates from organisations across the region. “At the event I was bowled over by the enthusiasm and vitality, not only of the presenters but also in all the conversations that day,” comments Michael Dunn, Regional Director of business consultants, NED Ltd. “Successes from collaboration seemed to be a common story.”
Delegates at Collaborate2Innovate 2010 will also get the opportunity to learn about how other organisations have adopted innovation through partnerships, in order to gain competitive advantage in the wider marketplace and beyond. The complimentary programme will also feature educational content from a wide range of experts and independent advisors to help delegates increase the knowledge in their organisations.
Director at Solent Synergy, Nigel Vaughan adds, “As the old saying goes, good things happen when people get together. This is the core message of Collaborate2Innovate 2010; to open up a level forum where skills, knowledge and a ‘make-it-happen’ mantra come together to encourage business growth, with a strong focus on the future, especially in these uncertain economic times.”
Collaborate2Innovate 2010 takes place on 2nd November 2010 at Building 1000, Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth. For further information, or to register to attend free-of-charge, please visit the website at www.collaborate2innovate2010.co.uk.
Press passes for the event are available. Please contact c2ipr@mccint.com to register your interest.
