Open innovation for small firms:
how to set up and manage collaborations with large firms

One day workshop in Norwich
18 October 2011

Cancelled

Today's rapidly changing technologies and complex markets mean that few firms can innovate using only in-house resources. As a result, many firms are trying to implement ‘open innovation’ by looking outside their organisation to find new ways of creating value. However, working and sharing information with other companies creates many challenges and pitfalls. This workshop will present a practical approach to help smaller companies and organisations successfully implement open innovation.

The workshop

The workshop is focused on the challenges and opportunities of implementing Open Innovation (OI) and will look at the challenges for small and start-up companies in forming productive collaborations with large companies.

The workshop will draw upon research findings at the Institute for Manufacturing’s Centre for Technology Management (CTM), revealing ways in which companies collaborate and configure themselves to succeed in OI. It will be illustrated with case studies by experienced practitioners from technology-driven companies that have embraced the OI approach. Facilitated mini-workshops will focus on identifying the key challenges faced by participating companies, sharing best practice and learning from research understandings identified by CTM.

The programme will focus on how to form and manage successful collaborations with larger enterprises. Key issues will be:

• How to make partnerships between technology-based start-ups and established firms work
• What every start-up should know about large companies
• Problems with large firm/start-up partnerships and how to overcome them
• Case studies for successful alliances

The workshop will be an ideal opportunity for companies to build momentum for the next step along the OI journey, whatever their current stage of development.

Speakers

This workshop will be delivered by the IfM and industry partners, and will draw on the results of four years of collaborative research and training with a wide range of start-ups, large firms, investors and support service providers. Speakers will include:

• Dominic Oughton Principal Industrial Fellow, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge
• Kamel Chida of General Mills.

Who should attend?

CEOs, CTOs, Business Development Directors and Technology Managers from technology-based SMEs and early-stage companies who want to understand how best to enter into collaboration in OI with large companies. (Note this event is intended for IP and product based small firms).

Programme

Registration for the workshop will be at 09.00, and the event will finish at 17.00.

Cost

£50 per person plus VAT

Supported by

We are charging a nominal fee for small companies (IP and product based small firms, up to 50 employees) to attend. If you are a consultant or intermediary and wish to attend the price is £399 plus VAT.

A discount of 10% is offered to IfM Members. For details of IfM membership see: www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/members.

Substitutions may be made at any time. Please note bookings cancelled less than 10 days before this event will be charged in full.

Location and Date

• Tuesday 18 October 2011 - NRP Innovation Centre, Norwich
  

Enquiries and booking

To book a place, please complete and return the faxback booking form.

Enquiries

Linda Gray
Tel: +44 (0)1223 766141

Tel: +44 (0)1223 766141
Fax: +44 (0)1223 464217
Email: ifm-events@eng.cam.ac.uk

Cancellations

Substitutions may be made at any time. Bookings cancelled less than 10 days prior to the event will be charged in full.