Unconventional Connections creating successful international innovation alliances

9th November 2016

-As 95% of R&D and innovation takes place outside any one country, businesses need to access global knowledge, markets, skills and partners.

Innovate UK Summary UK-based SMEs Unconventional Connections can help innovative, UK-based SMEs to create innovation alliances with international partners that will help you access resources for R&D, tailoring to overseas markets and potentially production. With our input, you will: save time, reduce risk and maximise your likelihood of building an alliance that delivers real long term value for your business. We can provide: a structured approach to help with the whole process from country and partner selection to exit (if needed) including facilitating access to - specialists in key areas - the support of public funding bodies - Embassies. Overseas SMEs Unconventional Connections can help innovative businesses based outside of the UK to create innovation alliances with UK R&D partners. With our input, you will: save time, reduce risk and maximise your likelihood of building an alliance that delivers real long term value for your business. We can provide: Tailored support to help you find the best partner(s) leveraging our contacts across UK Government agencies and funding bodies, businesses, investment houses, universities and other research institutions, science parks Explanation of the UK's public funding landscape Access to UK specialists to help with legal advice, funding access, etc. More detail Are you leading an innovative SME? Is your aspiration to go beyond your own country? Are you looking for resources that you cannot get domestically? For production? For Innovation? For tailoring to meet localising to a market? An International Innovation Alliance with the right overseas partner could provide a route to what you need. However, without the right support finding the right partner and building a successful long term collaborative relationship can be challenging. How do you select the best country/region to target? How do you go about seeking a partner with a good fit to your needs? What support exists from Government and its agencies and how can you access it? How do you judge if there is a wider strategic and cultural fit? How do you develop the relationship and establish trust? How do you create the conditions for a long term collaboration? How do you manage risks to your core assets including Intellectual Property? Unconventional Connections is there to help. Our mission is to facilitate the creation of successful international innovation alliances. We can provide: A framework to guide you through the process of building a collaborative international innovation relationship A wealth of experience from other businesses who have been on a similar journey to help you avoid costly mistakes Access to specialists for the different stages from due diligence to cultural awareness training Our network in UK and overseas Government agencies and funding bodies, businesses, investment houses, universities and elsewhere to help you navigate to the right partner(s) We provide a free initial consultation to help you think through your partnership needs.