Digital Innovation Panel at EBN Congress, discussing social media amongst other topics.

Last week over 550 delegates from Northern Ireland and around the globe flocked to Derry~Londonderry for the European Business Network Congress, a celebration of business and innovation as well as a truly pride-filling showcase of our city’s cultural talent. As Ron Burgandy of the Channel 4 News Team would say, it was “Kinda a Big Deal”.

The conference (as well as the city of Derry~Londonderry) was met with surreal enthusiasm by our delegates. Like many others, the team at NORIBIC have made many new friends and will share with them the memories of the 2013 EBN Congress, which will last a long time.

When organizing this event, the team at NORIBIC were determined to place a huge emphasis on encouraging networking and collaboration, rather than just resting on the credentials of our impressive line-up of speakers to keep our delegates satisfied with their Congress experience. What aided us in achieving this objective successfully was the ever-popular Twitter. Over the 3 day conference more than 1,000 tweets with the #EBNcongress hash-tag were sent out, which speaks volumes of the connections that were made between our delegates and their enthusiasm to immerse themselves in the conference.

Below are some of our favorite tweets throughout the three days, take a look! If you’ve any more memories you’d like to share with us, you can find us at twitter (@noribic). Its truly great to be able to tell people “I Woz there”.

Making Connections/ Gala Dinner & Concert                                                                

Delighted to meet the esteemed @liaonet at #ebncongress Thanks for the @LearningPool hospitality tip #itsagoodun

— Lisa McGonigle (@Lisa_Mc_G) May 30, 2013

Lovely to see @NLBothwell & her posse at #ebncongress. Hope you all had a great night at the gala dinner.

— Mark McFadden (@MarkMcFadden) May 31, 2013

Fun night at #ebncongress. Met lovely people from Holland, Hungary and US. Looking forward to more networking fun tomorrow.

— Sarah Hughes (@superhughesie) May 29, 2013

@HendoWan Gr8 2 meet u at #EBNCongress. Thx 4 the link 2 vid that secured City of Culture 4 #Derry http://t.co/pAZHr6iivT Good luck 2moro!

— Amanda Lennon (@AmandaCLennon) June 1, 2013

If anyone's at the @noribic #ebncongress bash tonight let me know and make sure you come and introduce yourself.

— Colletta Smith (@collettasmith) May 29, 2013

On Steve Wozniak

As a lifelong Mac fan (typed my Masters thesis on a Mac II) a thrill to meet the amazing @stevewoz at #ebncongress pic.twitter.com/djNFfgRcgB

— Ann O'Dea (@AnnODeaSR) May 31, 2013

When you have a personal motivation you'll produce the greatest things says Wozniak #ebncongress @Montaut @EuBIC @ChiaraDavalli

— Laura Lecci (@LauraLecci) May 30, 2013

Woz motivation to build the social revolution by giving the designs away for his computers. Open source is older than Apple :) #ebncongress

— Bill Liao (@liaonet) May 30, 2013

On Sir Tim Smit

Trying to remember seeing a better speaker than Sir Tim Smit at #ebncongress… can't do it

— Paul McElvaney (@mcelvaney) May 31, 2013

Loving Tim Smit. Write stuff with wine,kill negative people,read lots of books, rip of the blinkers, lie when it's worth it #EBNcongress

— Lisa McElherron (@Lisamcelherron) May 30, 2013

If u can summarise your business in a sentence…why would u want to work there?! A Tim Smit-ism… #ebncongress #in #derry2013

— Gary Dunleavy (@Garyd_Ireland) May 30, 2013

On Richard Florida

.@noribic Excellent closing session by @Richard_Florida at #EBNCongress Packed full of insight and provocations.And many musical references!

— Dermot McLaughlin (@DermotMcL1) May 30, 2013

Successful creative cities have the 3 Ts – Technology Talent & Tolerance @Richard_Florida #ebncongress

— Jessica Stacey (@JessStacey) May 30, 2013

"New ideas require old buildings." That's my quote of the day. @Richard_Florida #EBNcongress

— Lisa McElherron (@Lisamcelherron) May 30, 2013

On Ben Southworth

@AmandaCLennon thank you for the shout out!

— Benjamin Southworth (@inthecompanyof) May 30, 2013

#ebncongress Ben Southworth: when you're young, you're usually too stupid to be afraid about innovation

— Didier Laval (@DidierLaval) May 30, 2013

Ben Southworth urges an EU wide entrepreneurial system that enables people to test, launch & celebrate each others businesses #ebncongress

— Latest@SYNCNI.com (@syncni) May 30, 2013

Cocktail Party and After party

At #ebncongress cocktail reception in the craft village. Its going to be a great conference.

— Rachel McClure (@RachelMcClureCT) May 29, 2013

Thanks to @culturetechfest 4 hosting @noribic #ebncongress after party a great buzz about the city @LDrogendijk pic.twitter.com/NGzoHfGbT2

— Clare McGee (@ClareNORIBIC) May 31, 2013

And the Goodbyes…

In the bus from #derry to #belfast after great #EBNCongress. Thanks a million @ClareNORIBIC and @BarneyToal for hospitality and friendship!

— Lennard Drogendijk (@LDrogendijk) June 2, 2013

Memories which I will always remember with @stevewoz and Tim Smit #Leyends at #ebnCongress #Derry pic.twitter.com/l5bS4rQNQI

— Javier Montoya (@JavierMontoyaKM) June 2, 2013

.@ClareNORIBIC Clare thanks again and well done to you & yr team on the #EBNCongress It's been excellent nourishment for the mind! @noribic

— Dermot McLaughlin (@DermotMcL1) May 31, 2013

What an amazing experience at the #EBNcongress! The people, the ideas, and the collaboration! #inspiring #socialinnovation

— Akimbo (@AkimboConnect) May 31, 2013

Well done to @NORIBIC on their superb #EBNcongress C-TRIC will have to raise their game for #TMED6

— Barry Henderson (@HendoWan) May 31, 2013

Well done @noribic for hosting an unforgettable #EBNCongress , we had a fantastic time & such a warm reception from your #legenderry people!

— Latest@SYNCNI.com (@syncni) May 31, 2013

goodbye beautiful Derry – leaving #ebncongress inspired, thanks for a great stay pic.twitter.com/Kio8JCvPff

— Liz Choonara (@LizGChoonara) May 31, 2013

How to win at tendering
Winning your share of public sector and private sector tenders

Derry City Council will be providing an exciting, interactive, focused two-day workshop for
businesses interested in increasing their tendering win rate. This programme will help you to:

• Source tender opportunities
• Prepare and submit winning tender proposals
• Bid for cross-border work with confidence

The programme includes one-to-one mentoring and tailored advice and guidance.

The workshops will be held on 19th/26th June and 20th/27th June 2013 at the Waterfoot Hotel.

Spaces are limited, so to apply for a place on the programme please visit:
www.derrycity.gov.uk/BusinessOpportunities/ProcurementProgramme and complete the application form.

Click to watch this short video from Minute MBA on “3 ways to reform the patent system”

Earlier this year members of the NORIBIC team attended a training workshop hosted by Invest NI and the European Patent Office (EPO). The workshop was designed to teach attendees how to effectively utilize Espacenet, the EPO’s database for granted patents and patent applications. It was a hugely interesting day and an opportunity to explore not only the world of patents, but also the process involved in obtaining one and how to use the database to monitor applications being processed all around Europe.

Two things you will often hear inventors and businesses lament about in regards to the patent application process are both the longevity of the process and the cost. Whilst multi-national companies have the resources to invest in such activities and can generally afford to be unsuccessful in their applications, the mad genius in his basement has a huge journey with many hardships to undertake if he wants to get his invention protected by patent law.

Articles upon articles have been written however to encourage inventors to weigh up the benefits against the costs (not just monetary) of patent applications. Unfortunately many inventors and entrepreneurs have difficulty taking an impartial and critical standpoint against their own creations, and an inventor’s bias towards their own product is also likely to increase in correlation with money and time they have invested.

What I would like to focus on however in this short article is something that was discussed throughout the workshop day, particularly by the technology and engineering companies in attendance who themselves have patents going through the application process. This was the ethically ambiguous practice of applying for patents without having the intent to actually bring the invention to market. These people or organisations are often referred to as non-practicing entities or to use a more pejorative term, ‘Patent Trolls’.

The enforcement of patents in a tactical and aggressive manner is widespread, and many say this practice is harming innovation to such a point that it is out-stripping the benefits of even having a patent system. Boston University found that in 2011 intellectual rights claims made by organisations that own patents but don’t produce the related goods cost US bodies $29 billion in lawyers bills, licence fees and other costs.

For those in favor of keeping the patent system (without considering non-practicing entities), it is clear they believe in protecting the inventor but the system is clearly being exploited by patent trolls who are essentially blocking the route to market for many innovators who are trying to bring new products to market. For those in favor of removing the patent system, it could be said that whilst this it will be a more advantageous for innovators, it will also endanger the best inventors to having their ideas and creations copied without receiving compensation.Whether you believe in the benefits of the patent system or not, it is clear that the arms race for patents from large organisations are stifling the progression of innovation worldwide.

Recently we received contact from Online MBA, who have created a quirky and interesting short video looking at three ways in which the patent system can be reformed to help widespread innovation. To watch this great video, click on the image at the top of the page to play the video on arrival to the Online MBA website.

Seedcorn is the largest investor readiness competition for new start/ early stage companies in any sector on any part of the island.

Applicant companies also get the benefit of joining the Seedcorn Network, an investment business community which will provide the applicants with potential contacts, investment opportunities and an increased profile.

SEEDCORN gives applicant businesses the opportunity to make a number of  breakthroughs such as developing a business idea, improving on an existing business plan and making their concepts investor ready. It also gives businesses an opportunity not only to increase their own profile, but to gain exposure to venture capitalists & other equity providers.

The prizes for winners are as follows

Best stage company- €100,000

Best new start company- €50,000

Regional Winners (x6)- €20,000

Venture stemming from a Support Programme- €10,000

Who Can Enter: The competition is open to independent incorporated ventures in Ireland or Northern Ireland in the seed, start-up or early stage of business development and ideally targeting international markets. Ventures which have already raised external equity in excess of €1m are not eligible.

For deciding winners, judges will to see strong attributes similar to what an investor would. These include

• High growth potential
• The optimum risk/reward profile
• A strong management team
• Ability to exit

Seedcorn is the largest investor readiness competition for new start/ early stage companies in any sector on any part of the island.

Closing date for entries is 1pm on Friday 28th June 2013.

Applicant companies also get the benefit of joining the Seedcorn Network, an investment business community which will provide the applicants with potential contacts, investment opportunities and an increased profile.

SEEDCORN gives applicant businesses the opportunity to:

• Develop a business idea
• Improve on an existing business plan
• Make concepts investor ready
• Gain exposure to venture capitalists & other equity providers
• Increase profile and exposure

The prizes for winners are as follows

Best stage company- €100,000

Best new start company- €50,000

Regional Winners (x6)- €20,000

Venture stemming from a Support Programme- €10,000

Who Can Enter: The competition is open to independent incorporated ventures in Ireland or Northern Ireland in the seed, start-up or early stage of business development and ideally targeting international markets. Ventures which have already raised external equity in excess of €1m are not eligible.

For deciding winners, judges will to see strong attributes similar to what an investor would. These include

• High growth potential
• The optimum risk/reward profile
• A strong management team
• Ability to exit

For more information visit the www.intertradeireland.com/SEEDCORN

Do you have an early stage business idea that needs protecting?  

Do you need access to particular skills, expertise or technology to secure your ideas and business?

Would demonstrating that you are cyber secure add value for your customers and partners? 

On the 23rd of April 2013, it was announced that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will provide funding to help SMEs increase their cyber security through a new Cyber Security Innovation Voucher. The new Innovation voucher, which joins a range of Innovation Vouchers from the Technology Strategy Board, will allow SMEs, entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups to bid for up to £5,000 from a £500,000 pot, to help improve their cyber security by bringing in outside expertise.

More small businesses than ever are facing the threat of losing confidential information through cyber attacks, according to research published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The Government has put in place Cyber Security Strategy that has the objective of making the UK one of the most secure places in the world to do business in cyberspace. This will be welcome by many small businesses as this year the Information Security Breaches Survey showed that 87 per cent of small businesses across all sectors experienced a breach within the last 12 months. This was more than a 10% increase from the previous year and has cost small businesses up to 6 per cent of their turnover.

Innovation Vouchers for cyber security can be used to secure specialist consulting and services to help:

• Businesses looking to protect new inventions and business processes
• Businesses looking to ‘cyber audit’ their existing processes
• Businesses looking to move online and develop a technology strategy
• Business start-ups looking to develop an idea into a working prototype and needing to build cyber security into the business from the very beginning

This is an excellent opportunity for companies who have IT as a crucial part of their core infrastructure to take advantage of available support to protect and grow their business.

For more information visit the Innovation Vouchers information page here.

Women in Enterprise in association with Derry City  Council Business Opportunities Programme

Network Event 22^nd April 2013

The first in a series of Social Media Workshops  

What is Facebook and why should you use it?

We all recognise the benefits to our business of Facebook marketing.

But where do you start?

And when do you find time to learn the ins & outs of Facebook?

Desktop Genies half-day, hands-on workshop takes you through the

practicalities of setting up a Facebook presence for your business, and using it as a marketing tool.

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When:    Mon 22^th April 2013

Where:   Derry City Council Offices, Strand Road, Derry-Londonderry

Time:      2:30pm to 5:30pm

Cost:       Free

Registration by Email to: registerwie@gmail.com  

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Topics covered

• Distinguishing between a personal Facebook Profile and a Business Facebook Page
• The Difference between Personal Friends and Business Fans
• Privacy Settings
• Locating Fans – importing contact details
• Communicating with Fans – News Feeds, Wall Postings
• Facebook Ads
• Insights – a log of activity on your page
• Events & Questions

Benefits of attending

Raising visibility with existing and potential customers

Promote your business events quickly, easily and for FREE

Save time on profile configuration and deployment

Ready to use immediately on completion of course

Registration is Essential! If you have a Laptop please bring along if you would like help setting up/reviewing your Facebook page

Please register by:          Monday 15^th April

Enquiries to:                 registerwie@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/womeninenterpriseni

www.womeninenterprise.biz

The Fund is to support revenue expenditure for projects that will lead to increases in resource efficiency. It is expected that this will principally be achieved by increased diversion of waste from landfill through prevention, reuse and recycling. Overall, this will drive increases in the efficient use of resources and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2-equivalent) emissions.

The Fund is open for projects completing in 2013-14 and for those extending into 2014-15.

The 2013-14 Fund is at least £250,000 and the 2014-15 Fund is anticipated to be the same. Applicants must demonstrate that any funding secured will be fully expended by 31 March for the financial year it is awarded.

Third sector, private sector, Councils and Northern Ireland Waste Management Groups are eligible to apply, individually or in partnership, to this Revenue Fund.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 on Monday 29 April 2013.

Guidance on the eligibility, scope and requirements of this Fund along with application documents can be downloaded here. Submissions must be made on the application form and supported by the mandatory appendices. In order to be put forward for assessment, all the required information must be supplied or your application may be deemed non-compliant.

For more information and to apply visit www.wrapni.org.uk