Edition 5
Welcome to the fifth edition of NESTA Innovation Digest (ID). NESTA ID is intended to provide fortnightly information and links on the latest news from the world of innovation policy and research and news of international issues and events.
We're sifting news and updates from dozens of websites and bulletins for each edition of ID. We're keen to know how we could improve this service, or perhaps you have suggestions for inclusion - please email digest@enews.nesta.org.uk.
Regards,
Richard Halkett - Executive Director, NESTA Policy and Research Unit
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This issue
With Parliament still in recess, the policy world remains relatively quiet. However, the Conservatives have published a policy paper on economic competitiveness and BERR have released their annual SME statistics. There has also been confirmation that following the machinery of government changes, the House of Commons Select Committees have been reorganised. Library House have published a report on UK venture capital and as we move into September, the events calendar begins to get busy, with numerous conferences on skills. Finally, President Bush has ratified the America COMPETES Act.
Policy
Conservative Party Economic Competitiveness Policy Group Report – Freeing Britain to Compete 17/08/07
John Redwood MP and Simon Wolfson argue for: £14bn cuts in regulation and taxation on business; more links between business and universities; an increase in the number of STEM students; and abolishing the LSC.
Science and Technology Select Committee disbanded
Following the creation of DIUS, the House of Commons passed a motion to replace the Science and Technology Committee with a Committee on Innovation, Universities and Skills with effect from the start of the next session of Parliament (6 November 2007).
Education and Skills Select Committee disbanded
Following the creation of the DCSF, the House of Commons decided that in the new Parliamentary session, the Education and Skills Committee will be disbanded and a new Children, Schools and Families committee will be formed.
CBI – five point plan to encourage the study of STEM subjects 13/08/07
Proposals to stimulate interest in STEM subjects and increase numbers of STEM-qualified staff, including a ‘golden carrot’ bursary of £1,000 a year for STEM graduates, careers advice, specialist teaching and employer incentives.
BERR Report - Dynamic Demand 20/08/07
Examines the potential of ‘dynamic demand’ technology that could control and reduce the electricity use of kitchen appliances, intended to cut CO2 emissions and lower demand on the electricity grid. A further report will be issued in summer 2008.
National Audit Office work in progress – Building Capacity in the Third Sector 20/08/07
Study to track the development of government initiatives intended to build capacity in the Third Sector since 2002, such as physical assets and finance skills, assessing performance so far. A report is due for publication in early 2008.
OSI Consultation – The Update to the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees 25/06/07 – 16/09/07
Consults on how best to update detailed guidance on the operation of scientific advisory committees and their relationship with government, last revised in December 2001.
DoH – Launch of the social enterprise investment fund for health and social care 17/08/07
£73m will be distributed to set up and build social enterprises that meet specific needs and provide local services. First round applications close 31 October 2007.
Cabinet Office consultation: the risk capital investment fund for social enterprise 21/08/07 – 02/11/07
The Office of the Third Sector is consulting on proposals to establish a match-funded £10m fund to address the equity gap faced by social enterprises when trying to expand.
DCLG 2016 Commitment – zero-carbon homes 08/08/07
The Government, housebuilders and local authorities have signed a commitment to build 240,000 new zero-carbon homes a year by 2016. Sets out a timetable for the progressive tightening of building regulations.
DCLG commission Entec to explore new planning rules for environmental technologies 13/08/07
Following consultation on reform of the planning system, Entec will examine how best to remove planning barriers to installing small-scale renewable and low-carbon technology equipment. A report is expected by the end of the year.
Launch of Shetland Creative Industries Unit 22/08/07
Intends to enhance the economic contribution of the local creative industry sector, support and attract business. Across Scotland the sector employs 100,000 people, generating £5bn and contributing four per cent to the economy.
Research
BERR - Small and Medium Enterprise statistics for the UK 2006 22/08/07
The number of SMEs has risen by almost 1m since 1994, providing work for an extra 1.5m people. From 2005 to 2006, the number of UK businesses rose by 2.9% to almost 4.5m. SMEs account for 58.9% of employment and 51.9% of turnover in the UK.
Library House Report - UBS UK Venture Backed Report 2007 21/08/07
UK venture capital backed retail and service sector companies generated a 66% annual return last year. This compares to communications technologies, that generated returns of 16%. On average it takes eight years to achieve a successful exit.
Institute of Directors Report – The SME Glass Ceiling: Growth Obstacles in 2007 13/08/07
Identifies five issues for SMEs, including levels of government support, lack of business finance and business rates. Makes 14 recommendations, including rejecting the proposed Supplementary Business Rates and clearer criteria on government funding.
University of Minneapolis, Texas A&M University and Imperial College London Paper - Managing the Future: CEO Attention and Innovation Outcomes 14/08/07
Argues that CEOs who use future-oriented words and focus on future events lead their firms to early adoption and invention of new technologies and better development of innovations. Studies eight years of data from the online banking industry.
NESTA related news
NESTA and the Young Foundation Report Launch - In and Out of Sync, London 12/09/07
Jonathan Kestenbaum and Geoff Mulgan present the findings of the research before questions and discussion. The report examines how social innovations spread and grow, drawing on eleven case studies.
Forthcoming Events
St John’s Innovation Centre - 8th Cambridge Enterprise Conference, Cambridge 05/09/07
This event will bring together entrepreneurs and academics to discuss issues facing young knowledge-based companies. Speakers include Professor Amar Bhidé, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, Lake Falconer and Professor Gordon Murray.
The International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference, Cambridge 10-12/09/07
Intends to bring together entrepreneurship educators and practitioners from around the world, to share knowledge, experience and best practice in developing students entrepreneurial skills in all disciplines.
CBI – Skills Summit, London 12/09/07
Richard Lambert, John Denham MP, Sir Terry Leahy, Dr Annette Doherty and others discuss partnership working between businesses, universities, colleges and skills providers and a more ‘demand-led’ education system.
Delivering Public Sector Services in Scotland 2007, Glasgow 12/09/07
Conference to explore flexible methods for transforming and modernising Scottish public service management and delivery, such as risk management and procurement practices, as well as seeking new models of partnership working.
UK GRAD Sixth Annual Conference, London 12/09/07
Will explore the future direction of support for postgraduate researchers, the implications of the growing importance of enterprise, innovation and creativity skills to the UK economy and the significance of recent European developments.
The third annual national Higher Education Researcher Development Conference, London 13/09/07
Professor Paul Blackmore, Iain Cameron, Professor Mary Bownes and others debate building capacity for research in the UK and the growth, support and development of the research workforce.
British Academy - Working Together Across Disciplines, University of York 13/09/07
As part of the Festival of Science 2007, Wyn Grant, Robert Fish, Liz O’Brien and others discuss the experience of interdisciplinary research and the problems that arise in co-operation.
NESTA, Procter & Gamble, British Design Innovation and Oakland Innovation – Open Innovation Challenge Launch, London 18/09/07
Ian Pearson MP, Jonathan Kestenbaum and Joachim von Heimburg will launch the Challenge, designed to open communication channels between SMEs and P&G, encouraging collaborations without intellectual property concerns.
RAENG - Engineering Research Forum 2007, London 28/09/07
Annual event to highlight the range of research supported by RAENG funding schemes, with a series of presentations and exhibitions.
RSA and Commotion - What future for the NHS? Engaging the public to debate the future of the NHS, London 06/09/07
Matthew Taylor, Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Sandra Gidley MP, Professor Albert Weale and others will present their views on the future of NHS service delivery. Outcomes will be reflected in a paper to government.
International
President Bush signs the America COMPETES Act 09/08/2007
The plan provides $43bn for 2008-2010 to boost innovation, doubles the National Science Foundation's budget for basic research, seeks to improve STEM education and teaching and creates a federal agency to promote energy projects.
OECD Review – Innovation Policy: New Zealand 22/08/07
New Zealand has a favourable business environment to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, but low business spending on R&D and poor diffusion and absorption of technology. The review contributes to the development of a national innovation policy.
The World Bank and The Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control – Launch of Vietnam Innovation Day, ‘Stop AIDS: keep the promise‘ 15/08/07
Initiative to provide start-up funds for: innovative development ideas; local collaboration projects; and medical care schemes, as well as focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention, support structures for sufferers and reducing AIDS stigma and discrimination.
Australian Labor Party promises $100m manufacturing innovation fund 13/08/07
Opposition leader Kevin Rudd has pledged that should his Party form the next Government, it will invest up to $100m in a network of centres to foster innovation in Australian manufacturing businesses.
IBM Day at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 13/08/07
Dr. C Mohan, Dr. Daniel Dias and Manish Gupta addressed sessions intended to look for opportunities for collaboration between IBM and academia in India, and to interest students in research, business and technology careers.
Wipro and Lockheed Martin open collaborative warfare innovation centre in India 18/08/07
The US defence and aerospace business and Indian IT business have set up a 50:50 collaborative venture to work in partnership on R&D innovation in war-fighting concepts and other command and control operations.
World Economic Forum - Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions, China 06-08/09/07
Intended to bring together 1,500 new business entrepreneurs from over 80 countries with existing WEF members to network and exchange ideas. Participants include Samuel A. DiPiazza Jr, James H. Quigley, Sir Martin Sorrell and Ben Verwaayen.
France poised to sign the London Agreement on patent language barriers 23/08/07
In a media statement, Francois Fillon - French PM, indicated that France intends to ratify the London Agreement, removing the need to translate patents into all languages and so a number of associated costs (20 – 40% of total costs for filing for patent.