3rd November 2010
Over 300 businesses, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and educational institutions from across the Solent united at Collaborate2Innovate (C2I) 2010 yesterday, the leading free event dedicated to building profitable partnerships between organisations in the Solent region.
With inspiring keynotes from leaders in various technological and innovative fields including Roland Harwood, founder of open innovation organisation, 100% Open (a NESTA spin-out) and Robert Gilbert, Director of Boots Pharmaceuticals, as well as a full programme of interactive table discussions, the notion of ‘sharing risk and reward’ through collaboration was buzzing at the show.
As well as encouraging dialogue between like-minded innovative organisations on an ad hoc basis, C2I’s 121 Networking programme offered dozens of individuals the chance to sit down for a limited amount of time with selected company representatives, to exchange views on innovation and potentially form future affiliations.
"It was hugely useful to meet people, not just session leaders and other businesses during 121 Networking, but also chance conversations and searching out specific names or organisations from the delegate list," says Chris Horton, Director of Clear-Q. "Each discussion further crystallised thoughts, until by the end of the day I had a pretty clear vision of Clear-Q's new value proposition, target market, and revenue generation mechanisms. I left with a dozen leads to follow up, four or five of which look set for a variety of real collaborations."
Nigel Vaughan, Director of Solent Synergy (sponsor and host of C2I) adds: "The event was a resounding success, attracting more attendees than ever looking to learn more about the collaboration and innovation processes and potentially meet like-minded organisations for profitable partnerships. With 121 Networking running at full capacity I am confident that we have brought together some special collaborations that will come to fruition over the next few months."
Last year, C2I helped the partnership between the University of Portsmouth and Classic Folios to secure £72,695 in Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funding to help Classic Folios develop its product range to capitalise on new market opportunities and grow its business. Classic Folios is the UK’s leading supplier of luxury leather binders and leather presenting folder.
