Glimpse of the future for great businesses

Jan 28 2008 By The Journal

THE Entrepreneurs’ Forum Harness Technology Conference on February 27 will bring together entrepreneurial businesses and academics involved in science, technology and engineering.

The conference will be an opportunity for those in the sector to focus on the non-technical aspects of developing a successful business by learning from others who have already achieved success.

Writer and former BBC Tomorrow’s World presenter and Durham University graduate Judith Hann will introduce an outstanding line-up of speakers.

She will also use her expertise to help delegates think about how to make technology accessible, take a look back over some of the innovations that appeared on Tomorrow’s World to see which have survived and later facilitate a question and answer session.

The keynote speaker is Trevor Baylis, inventor of the clockwork radio, bestselling author of ‘Clock This’ and founder of the Academy of Invention.

Then we move to the success stories of our local entrepreneurs.

Roy Stanley is a visionary entrepreneur who founded The Tanfield Group in 1996. Under his guidance and leadership, Tanfield grew from an engineering company with 10 employees into the world’s leading manufacturer of zero emission commercial electric vehicles and aerial work platforms and now employs more than 1,200 people worldwide.

Since he founded his company in 1989, Will Dracup has made Nonlinear Dynamics a global success providing bioinformatics solutions to the life-sciences industries.

Its Progenesis Discovery Informatics platform is used by contract research organisations and biotech and pharmaceutical companies researching the uses of proteins to treat diseases.

The day will be rounded off by a glimpse into the future provided by Dr James Bellini. James is an expert in technology and the future outlook for business within the context of the internet, virtual markets and related developments in e-culture and business re-invention.

The conference will also hear from Marion Bernard, chief executive of NorthStar Equity Investors, who will provide insight into the world of raising finance, crucial to the technologist with potentially commercial ideas.

By listening to and meeting others who can point the region’s innovators in the direction of those who can help, the aim is to fast-track their progression to make their ideas commercially successful.

Those already in business can meet like-minded entrepreneurs and take advantage of the opportunity to work on their business rather than in it.

Some of the many areas expected to be covered on the day include: how to overcome challenges; how to turn an idea into a product; how to attract the right, work ready people; when and how to market your business; understanding your market; how to build strong individuals into a strong team.

The conference, which is sponsored by NorthStar Equity Investors and Newcastle Science City, will offer a genuine way forward for entrepreneurs and academics, innovators and investors, bringing everyone together to harness talent and achieve success.

• The Entrepreneurs’ Forum Harness Technologies Conference is on Wednesday, February 27, at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield. Tickets cost £55 +VAT to include lunch and refreshments. To book a place, call the conference hotline on (0870) 850-2233 or visit www.entrepreneursforum.net