9th June 2015
International development through innovation and collaboration: Expert Advice from EEN & BIC Innovation
In Life Sciences, finding new partners for collaboration is a key driver for innovation and growth. Looking for a commercial opportunity is a business basic, but how do you find your new markets, new technology or specific R&D?
Even in the age of the information superhighway there is no substitute for those hard miles on the road. Nothing beats personal contact and many cultures will not deal without that first face to face meeting.
However, the internet does offer an opportunity to be more targeted in your international development strategy. To that end, a number of business support networks offer businesses in Wales the opportunity to more easily find that potential international partner.
- Business Wales and Welsh Government work together to prepare businesses for trade missions and other overseas business development visits through their extensive range of support service, which may include local assistance through overseas embassies. Read more about export here.
- MediWales are working with Council of European Bio Regions (CEBR) and cluster partners across Europe to put together the European Cluster Medical Device Programme, showcasing European Medical Device SMEs through a new online directory. Read more about the programme here.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is delivered in Wales by BIC Innovation and Swansea University. EEN is the EU’s flagship programme to support SME growth. EEN has 600 network partners, covering 54 countries across the globe, including USA, Brazil, China and India. Read more about EEN here.
The EEN acts as a collaboration tool alongside the efforts of your own team. Further to a business review and discussion EEN’s International Development Managers will write and target a profile specific to your needs. Profiles can be found here
Currently on the EEN system there are 1041 active Life Science Profiles, making up 9.5% of total EEN opportunities. The most active countries in EEN Life Science opportunities are Spain 19%, Germany 17%, UK 16%, France 13%, Italy 8%, Netherlands 7%, Russia 5%, Poland 5%, Slovenia 4%, Turkey 4%, Czech Republic 3%.
EEN offers assistance for finding partnerships for
- Commercial Partners & Supply Chain – product distribution or sales agency, supply chain development, JV, merger or franchise agreement, company acquisition, logistics, subcontracted or reciprocal production. (Currently 266 Business Offers and 35 Business Requests for Life Sciences)
- Technology Transfer – IP licensing agreement, technical cooperation to adapt and develop joint ventures based on technology, commercial agreement with tech support, manufacturing agreement including expertise. (Currently 597 Technology Offers and 70 Technology Requests for Life Sciences)
- Research & Development (FP7) – Links to Academic and Commercial research centres, assistance for Horizon 2020 Projects. (Currently 43 R&D Requests for Life Sciences)
- Brokerage Events & Trade missions – We often run matchmaking events alongside large conferences and exhibitions as well as missions and other events. Upcoming brokerage events include Medica and UK Healthtech in Cardiff. (Search for more here)
- Information – European legislation, EU standards , Access to finance, CE marking & VAT
To arrange a review with EEN Wales, call us on 01248 671 101 or email Anna Pearce
EEN is fully funded and does not count towards de-minimis state aid.
The EEN is delivered in Wales by BIC Innovation Ltd and Swansea University, who are both part of a 21-partner consortium led by Innovate UK and which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
BIC Innovation Ltd is a Welsh Innovation and Growth consultancy based in Bangor and Bridgend.