entrepreneurial, news
Crowdfunding Workshop
CROWDFUNDING
Un modèle innovant de financement pour les Start-ups et PME de croissance
Mardi 1er avril 2014 de 9h00 à 12h30
à la Maison de la Technopole, 6 rue Léonard de Vinci, Laval
9h00 : Accueil café
9h15 : Les grands principes du financement participatif, par Thomas Derosne, dirigeant de My New Startup
10h10 : Les clés pour bien préparer sa campagne de financement, par Aldo Kei-taud et Antoine Deleron co-dirigeants de Myprofilart
10h30 : Le cadre juridique du Crowdfunding, par Maître Derosne, cabinet DSG Avocats
11h15 : Témoignage d’une levée de fonds réussie, par Olivier Rayant, Président de Tracers Technology
12h00 : Rafraichissements et discussions informelles
news, public
Growth Platform for HPSUs
On the 18th and 19th of March 2014, a bespoke and one-off 2-day TESLA project training programme was held for UK based High Potential Start-up companies (HPSUs) interested in fast tracking their success by taking advantage of public procurement opportunities.
The event was held in Cardiff during Procurement Week 2014 (Bangor University’s Institute for Competition & Procurement Studies flagship annual procurement conference, part-sponsored by the Welsh Government), with a remit of catapulting forward HPSUs with no real knowledge and understanding of public sector tendering, to rapidly climb the tendering skills ladder and become seasoned experts over a 2-day intense training period. The bespoke training comprised a deliberate mix of interactive sessions, case study presentations, and formal presentations by world leading tendering experts and public procurers.
8 complementary training sessions were delivered; these ranged from practical sessions focused on drafting a winning public sector tender and collaborative bidding techniques, to sessions focused on strategy including tendering strategy and management and selling innovation to the public sector. A number of foundation seminars were also given; featuring topics such as public procurement processes and procurement law.
The training took full advantage of the extensive procurement and tendering expertise available from TESLA project partners Bangor University’s Institute for Competition & Procurement Studies and Tilburg University, as well as direct input from public procurers who were able to provide their unique perspective from the coalface of tender evaluation.
The Institute’s Ceri Evans who designed and managed the event with Priyanka Priydershini and Ivona Skultétyová of Tilburg University describes how the sessions operated: “these sessions were purposefully tailored to identifying ways and means of overcoming typical challenges HPSUs face in tendering. For example, a number of methods of addressing start-up concerns in relation to how HPSU bidders can demonstrate to public procurers in their tenders that they have sufficient experience to undertake a contract competently were put forward and discussed in depth with the participants. Group exercises were also used to critique tenders written by start-up companies that had failed to address procurer risk aspects.”
As Gary Clifford, Director of the Institute, added: “We also brought in companies with first-hand experience of particular topics to share their thoughts. For example, Seamus McCann of Astec Global Consultancy spoke about his experience of Cross-Border Access to Public Procurement Markets, and shared his tips of how best to gain a presence in this market and pitfalls for HPSUs to avoid.”
15 start-up companies with significant growth potential and with their company headquarters located in Wales and England attended the event, with some travelling more than 10 hours to engross themselves in the world of tendering! The HPSU attendees comprised of a rich mix of companies with serious growth potential: ranging from a company using open-source technology to ensure people with disabilities are not put at a disadvantage; to a company specialising in the design and build of complex computer systems utilised in Big Data applications!
Feedback from the event was resoundingly positive, with all attendees stating that the event will alter their practice, and 67% rating the performance of the trainers as “excellent”. Nat Stedman, who is director of Rojo&Co., a company set-up to plan bespoke events for clients and develop software to make event planning simple, said of the training: “one of the best training courses I have ever attended. Very well organised and delivered – went far beyond my expectations.” Another attendee stated: “an excellent event, well managed and delivered”, whilst another went even further and pronounced the training as “brilliant”!
Professor Dermot Cahill, Chairman of the Institute at Bangor observes: “The TESLA project seeks to build an ecosystem to enable HPSUs to accelerate their growth using a range of accelerators. The TESLA project funding from North West Europe INTERREG allows Bangor and Tilburg Universities to combine our strengths to deliver this unique bespoke assistance to HPSUs, so that European companies remain competitive and can grow using non-traditional routes and we are delighted to play our part in this endeavour”.
The event was also used to raise awareness amongst the HPSU attendees of the unique opportunity they have to capitalise on additional complementary tendering support available to them via the TESLA project, in the form of one-to-one tender surgeries.
Download the Conference Presentations (Compressed file – size 25mb)
news, soft
“Interna- tional Breakfast”
INI-Novation GmbH presented transnational innovation support measures for SMEs in collaboration with Hessen Trade & Invest (EEN Wiesbaden) at the so called “Interna- tional Breakfast” event in Wiesbaden
On March 20th, INI-Novation GmbH and the Enterprise Europe Network managed by Hessen Trade & Invest organised a so called “International Breakfast” workshop, and invited SMEs from the region to get introduced into support measures for transna- tional collaboration. Dr. Khaled Snouber, head of EEN Hessen and Hessen Trade & Invest, introduced chances and challenges for SMEs to enter international markets. After his presentation the Chairman of INI-Novation GmbH, Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Kniejski, presented the support services offered by the “TESLA”-project, and Veneta Ivanova, INI-Novation’s Managing Director, talked about the benefits SMEs shall gain through the “LILA” project co- operation.
The TESLA project consists of ten target- ed initiatives aimed at helping high poten- tial technology companies to international- ize more quickly, identifying new product development opportunities in global mar- kets.
The LILA project is based on the Living Labs approach involving users in the product development process. For the first time, LILA realizes Living Labs at a trans- national level with users from 6 regions in Europe. Users participate to validate and co-design innovative products or services in order to adopt projects to their local market needs.
Image to the left:
Dr. Khaled Snouber talks about international collaboration
The presentations were well accepted by the participants, and consequently a few of the SMEs present at the event expressed their interest for further co-operation. The event was also attend- ed by specialized experts (e.g. patent attorneys, consultants in different technology sectors etc.), who – in the meantime – start- ed the process to get certified as specialized coaches and men- tors to accompany the LILA and TESLA activities on behalf of INI-Novation GmbH.
INI-Novation GmbH
Guerickeweg 5
64291 Darmstadt
Tel. +49 160 96665764
Email: info@ini-novation.com
URL: https://www.ini-novation.com
iesbaden, March 20, 2014
The participants in the so called “International Breakfast” workshop
Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Kniejski presents TESLA softlanding support services
Background information
The Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH is the economic develop- ment company for the State of Hessen. The central task is to position and strengthen Hessen as an economic and technology site nationally and internationally. Together with representatives from industry, science and government, Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH works as a catalyst to develop Hessen further and make
INI-Novation GmbH
Guerickeweg 5
64291 Darmstadt
Tel. +49 160 96665764
Email: info@ini-novation.com
URL: https://www.ini-novation.com
iesbaden, March 20, 2014
it permanently competitive for the future. They are the central contact for Hessen companies, as well as scientific and political institutions. Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH links foreign trade (outgoing) and on-site (incoming) marketing activities as well as European expertise with the topics of technology and the future. They combine technology, marketing, and service expertise throughout the country. Due to the interdisciplinary preparation and wide networking in business, science, and society in Hes- sen, Germany, Europe, and the world, new developments and trends can be quickly identified and effectively implemented in funding activities for Hessian companies.
The set-up of the workshop
Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH is also a partner in a network spanning across fifty countries, with approximately 600 member organizations, the Enterprise Europe Network Hessen (EEN Hessen). In this function they assist small and medium-sized enterprises to strengthen their international position and effec- tively increase their business opportunities in Europe and be- yond.
INI-Novation GmbH provides leading edge expertise in the cre- ation of new business development and strong expertise in inno- vation management. INI-Novation serves as a specialist in trans- fers of technologies with practical experience in innovation fi- nances and capital raising for SMEs as well as in development of training sessions. INI-Novation GmbH has identified a small number of pilot actions which have been implemented success- fully in several European regions in the past. In the practical piloting phase of ‘TESLA’ INI-Novation will be involved as ‘donor
INI-Novation GmbH
Guerickeweg 5
64291 Darmstadt
Tel. +49 160 96665764
Email: info@ini-novation.com
URL: https://www.ini-novation.com
iesbaden, March 20, 2014
partner regions’ sharing knowledge and practical experiences with ‘recipient partner regions’ with a view to implementing more advanced and enhanced models, especially in the areas of:
- Applying its integrated technology commercialisation process methodology;
- Open Innovation as one of the Innovation Outreach Cen- tres; and
- Internationalisation: supporting co-incubation and soft landing platform services.INI-Novation brings specific strengths to the TESLA project, in- cluding new business development and innovation management expertise.TESLA is a transnational innovation support project involving eight partners from six EU Member States. The overall objective of the project is to support the growth and development of early stage High Potential Start Up (HPSU) companies in Ireland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands through a programme of transnational pilot innovation and business sup- port initiatives. The project is being led by the Border Midland and Western Regional Assembly.The project consists of ten targeted initiatives aimed at helping HPSUs internationalize more quickly, access key export market intelligence in the European Union and beyond, identify new product development opportunities and, with the support and expertise of the partner network to identify new sources of fi- nance for HPSU development. The project will invest €3.8m in the partner regions over a three year period, 50% of which will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg IVB North West Europe Programme.The LILA project aims to support internationalization of innova- tive companies for both sectors of energy and digital economy, evaluated as key sectors by NWE regions, with a strategic po- tential of growth.LILA is based on the Living Labs approach, this European open innovation methodology which involves users in the product de- velopment process. For the first time LILA realizes a Living Labs application at a transnational level with groups of users from 6 regions in Europe. Users participate to validate and co-design innovative products or services in order to adapt projects to their local market.
iesbaden, March 20, 2014
Veneta Ivanova presents LILA support for entrepreneurs and established SMEs
LILA fosters the ambition of start-up companies. The project encourages entrepreneurs to commercialize their product in a European market dimension. It gives them the opportunities to test the product or services in specific country.
For more information:
Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Kniejski Chairman INI-Novation GmbH Guerickeweg 5
64291 Darmstadt
Tel: +49 (0) 160 96665764 E-Mail: kniejski@ini-novation.com
INI-Novation GmbH
Guerickeweg 5
64291 Darmstadt
Tel. +49 160 96665764
Email: info@ini-novation.com
URL: https://www.ini-novation.com
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news, spin
CEBIT Fair
Featuring presentations, social events, prize awards and panel discussions, “future talk” was the communicative centerpiece of the Research and Innovation exhibition at the CEBIT fair in Hannover. Investors, technology partners and end users: the Research & Innovation showcase was a must-see for anyone with an interest in cutting-edge ICT. On Friday, March 14th, Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Kniejski moderated the future talk session “Do it yourself – startups from research institutes and universities in the Software Cluster Darmstadt”.
He presented the challenges startups are facing on their way from research to market and the services supporting their endeavors. A special focus was put on the support measures offered by the EU-funded projects “TESLA” and “LILA”.
The TESLA project consists of ten targeted initiatives aimed at helping high potential technology companies to internationalize more quickly, identifying new product development opportuni-ties in global markets.
The LILA project is based on the Living Labs approach involving users in the product development process. For the first time, LILA realizes Living Labs at a transnational level with users from 6 regions in Europe. Users participate to validate and co-design innovative products or services in order to adapt projects to their local market needs.
Furthermore, two young entrepreneurs presented their start-up ideas and highlighted their motivation building their own career opportunities:
“FAST MRO”, a spin-off activity from DFKI in Kaiserslautern commercializing an Augmented Reality Maintenance Information System, was presented by Nils Petersen, and
“cross-connected”, an interactive high-end 3D visualisation system as start-up initiative from Karlsruhe University, was presented by Andreas Rüdenauer from RST (Rüdenauer Software Technologies).
news, soft
Business An-gel investment secured
INI-Novation GmbH supports a start-up company in the air fare pricing and ticketing market and secured Business An-gel investment
CELIGRA Ltd. was formed as a start-up company to further de-velop and operate FarePlay™ – a new generation airfare search and pricing engine that uses the full potential of contemporary software and hardware to give end users the ultimate speed, flexibility, and number of bookable results. Both, company man-agement and the current shareholders bring previous start-up experience and knowledge of the flight pricing business. In the frame of the EU-funded project TESLA, INI-Novation, Darmstadt, supports the acquisition of investment funds as well as the inter-nationalisation of the business into foreign markets. The com-pany recently secured two rounds of Business Angel invest-ments and is now seeking its positions in the market.
As a next investment step, a minimum of € 1.300,000 is being sought which will be used to finance working capital, market penetration and equipment. A significant percentage of the in-vestment will be used to subscribe to specialized data feeds and to buy the necessary hardware; another part will be used to cov-er the personnel expenses needed for product completion. Common co-ownership in CELIGRA Ltd. will be issued to inves-tors. Any excess investment above the € 1.300,000 will be held in the company’s capital reserves to be used for secondary de-velopment stages. Through this investment the company will reach on schedule all the targeted milestones and achieve the projected time to market.
On December 9th, INI-Novation introduced the CELIGRA team to business development experts and technical specialists from Hahn Air as well as to its CVC HR Alpha GmbH. Both expressed their interest for future collaboration and agreed on the next steps to be taken.
TESLA meeting of CELIGRA Ltd. with potential collaboration partners/investors organised by INI-Novation GmbH
FarePlay™ is a back-end solution that services all the players on the travel market irrespective of their type of business (service providers or intermediaries, online or offline), location and IT infrastructure and technology used. Through its innovative algo-rithms FarePlay™ brings faster and more accurate results than any of existing airfare search and pricing engines.
FarePlay™ is an engine with unique software architecture, a highly scalable module system based on open source technolo-gies. Because of its exceptionally low cost to develop and main-tain, it is also the most competitive product on the market capa-ble to provide the lowest price per search. Both company man-agement and the current shareholders bring previous startup experience and knowledge of the flight pricing business. Though we already have a working base version of the product, to this end a further investment from private individuals and/or compa-nies is needed. This investment will be funneled to secure the specialized data subscriptions and the hardware needed as well as the further developments to make it fully operational and to fine tune it in a way toward a business with competitive advan-tages and unique selling prepositions in the market.
news
NWE Annual Event
Tesla Project Promoted at NWE Annual Event
Barry Guckian, Border Midland & Western Regional Assembly and Thomas Spriet, Managing Authority of the NWE Programme at the North West Europe Programme Annual Event in Roubaix.
creative, news
BNF Workshop
The event took place in Clock Building, one of the older Philips buildings that serves as an exposition center now. The event took place during Dutch design Week, one of the largest and most popular events for creative industries in Europe. The participants appreciated interesting composition of program and indeed were very active during Q&A.
news, spin
Spin-In Event
A TESLA Spin-In Event was held in the Clayton Hotel, Galway on Tuesday the 22nd of October, 2013.
internationalisation, news
Mobilize Networks to go International
TESLA framework workshop entitled “Mobilize Networks to go International” held in Laval on the 17th September 2013.
