23rd January 2008

Business networking is crucial to commercial success according to the organisers of the 2008 Bio-Entrepreneur School. The accounting, banking and marketing professions have always recognised the value of networking which shows in their successes, so Bioscientists and Biotechnology developers will be encouraged to take an active interest in building business contacts during the School.

Places are still available on the fully-funded Bio-Entrepreneur School delivered by QED Consulting and hosted by BioCity Nottingham between 26th – 28th February. Funding is provided by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) through the Greater Nottingham Partnership. Anyone interested in applying should take a look at www.bioentrepreneur.co.uk and submit their details as soon as possible.

Getting the Bioscientist delegates to network better will be the aim of motivational speaker and professional networker Rob Brown who will host the ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ reception at the intensive three-day School. “Networking is not just for bankers, accountants and other professionals” says Rob, whose own business is built on helping businesses profit through networking. Author of the book ‘How to Build Your Reputation’, he goes on: “It’s no good being the best kept secret in the world. Networking is the lifeblood of entrepreneurs who want to connect with the right kind of investors, partners, talent, support and mentoring"

The Bio-Entrepreneur School is designed to help delegates explore their entrepreneurial potential, develop essential enterprise skills and overcome confidence barriers to starting in business in this very specialist sector. Tutored by seasoned business professionals and specialists in legal, IP and financing of the sector, the chosen delegates can expect to gain a real insight into bioscience commercialisation.

Sponsors for 2008 bring technical expertise as well as funding to the School. They include lead sponsor Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) together with Nottingham Science City and patent experts AdamsonJones. Further support is being given by UK Trade & Investment, Nelsons, Connect Midlands and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In addition to the ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ reception, delegates will pitch their commercial ideas to a panel of friendly ‘Dragons’ and will attend a formal dinner addressed by leading bio-entrepreneur Dr Tony Marchington.

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Louise Third
Integra Communications
0115 906 1377 / 07773 288342
QED Consulting:
Amanda Edwards
01302 767884

Notes:

• The Bio-Entrepreneur School takes place from Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th February at BioCity Nottingham, Pennyfoot Street, NottinghamNG1 1GF
• Detailed information and registration instructions on www.bioentrepreneur.co.uk
• Rob Brown is founder of the TRIP System® www.rob-brown.com

Sponsor details:

BioCity Nottingham Ltd was formed in October 2002. The company develops and operates bioscience and healthcare related incubation and innovation facilities. The first such facility was opened in Nottingham in September 2003 and is currently home to 40 businesses with a further 7 in the Stewart Adams Building. BioCity was founded by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands Development Agency. The site the company is developing in Nottingham was originally gifted to Nottingham Trent University by BASF plc.

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £380 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk
AdamsonJones is a forward-looking, client-focused patent and trade mark firm offering a full range of intellectual property services in the UK, Europe and throughout the world. Based at BioCity Nottingham, we specialise in helping companies in the bioscience sector add value to their businesses through the creation and development of a strong IP portfolio.

Nottingham City Council is committed to pro-actively supporting the growth of the Science & Technology sector in Nottingham, in recognition of the importance of this sector to the growth of our 'Knowledge Economy' and our global competitiveness. Science & Technology has been identified as one of the City's five priority growth sectors and, having been awarded 'Science City' status by the government, Nottingham City Council is working closely with partners across the City to capitalize on this accolade, existing strengths and future potential.

The Biosciences sub-sector is of particular importance to the City in growing its presence and reputation in this niche market. The Council works with international partners to raise its profile within the market beyond the UK and is a member of a pan-European cluster development programme (Clusters Linked Over Europe - CLOE) supported by the European Commission.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. For more information visit the website http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

One of the largest law firms in the East Midlands with offices in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, Nelsons is acknowledged as a ‘regional heavyweight’ by Legal 500, a leading independently-researched legal directory.
The firm’s Commerce & Technology Group provides advice to businesses on a wide range of matters, including commercial contract and partnership law, UK and European Union competition law, and intellectual property issues.
Connect Midlands is a not-for-profit network, linking high-potential technology businesses and entrepreneurs with the business training, finance, management and customers they need to succeed. www.connectmidlands.org.

The member firms of the PricewaterhouseCoopers network provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

Unless otherwise indicated, 'PricewaterhouseCoopers' refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www.pwc.com/uk) a limited liability partnership incorporated in England. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited.