The theme of this month’s issue is innovation. Our Bright Sparks feature (p28 of Midlands Business Insider September 2010) is always popular as it highlights some of the inventions from companies in the region that could have real legs in a commercial sense. The success of TV programmes such as Dragons’ Den demonstrates there is a real interest in the people who spend much of their time searching for that ‘eureka moment’.
But it’s not all about amateur boffins working in
their sheds. Constant innovation at a corporate level –
in terms of products and processes – is crucial for
companies that want to succeed. And we need to
see plenty of it for the health of the region.
The good news, as our science and technology round table (p36) reveals, is that in sectors such as serious games and medical technologies the Midlands is leading the way. It might also be argued that collaboration among universities is as good in our patch as anywhere in the country.
The bad news is that much of the framework for supporting and funding innovative ventures came through our regional development agencies (RDAs), which are being dismantled. The fear is that this support gap and the cuts the universities are facing could have a negative impact on high-tech start ups. Organisations such as MedilinkWM, which has done a great job in helping science and technology, companies to develop products and access new markets, have a real job on their hands to ensure that all the good work hasn’t been in vain.
The region is full of great companies. Our Made in the Midlands manufacturing feature (p20) reveals some of these, in areas such as aerospace. They have great stories to tell and we are happy to tell them.
Many people believe that talent will out and that entrepreneurs will battle through, whether they get support or not. In some cases this is true, but it is also true that many have been helped to a large degree by one support body or another. As business groups and councils jockey for position to create local enterprise partnerships – the somewhat sketchily drawn replacements for RDAs – it is hoped that nurturing entrepreneurial talent is one of their priorities.
Someone at our round table suggested the Midlands needs to become an “urban lab”. A great description and a great idea. The ability to innovate and get support for that innovation is central to the future success of this region.
Andy Coyne, editor
Also in: September 2010
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Still made in the Midlands
Manufacturing’s death knell has been sounded many times, but the sector is still in fairly good health, reports Ian Halstead.
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Taking baby steps
Lufthansa’s takeover of BMI ended a long drawn-out spectacle, but how does it affect bmibaby? Sam Metcalf asked its new managing director.