Free technology Venture workshops on offer
The Designing Demand Innovate programme starts with a 1 day Technology Venture Workshop – which is being held at the Jubilee Library in Brighton on 16th January 2007 or 30th January 2007 at the Design Council in London.
The aim of the Technology Venture Workshop is for companies to have the chance to learn about design – and to give them sufficient information to consider whether to apply for the full Innovate programme.
The Innovate programme itself consists of a three day workshop taking place over 2 consecutive days in 1 week and the third day the following week. These workshops are run by a Design Associate and three support designers who work with the successful applicants to identify opportunities for improving their business through design. In the following 12 months the Design Associate will meet the company on a monthly basis to support them with the implementation of their Design Opportunities. At the end of the programme there will be a close-out event which reviews the work carried out and also allows the company the opportunity to meet again with their peers from the initial 3 day workshop.
The target audience for the Innovate programme is ambitious technology entrepreneurs - within 3 years of initial start-up with no more than 14 employees and based within the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) region.
Alumni of the Innovate programme reported that their increased use of design had important benefits:
80% changed strategic direction becoming customer focused rather than technology focused
75% invested significantly in design and are confident of a return on investment
65% changed branding and communication giving them stronger market positioning
80% reported a changed mindset, culture and vision
50% increased their ability to raise investment finance
50% saw better management or reduction in commercial risks and have a more positive attitude to the sustainability of the business
50% significantly changed the balance and composition of the company’s skills
35% changed product or service.
If you would like to register for one of the free Technology Venture Workshops please visit http://www.designingdemand.org.uk. If you have any questions please contact Claire Harper on 01865 811550
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