Background
The BIRD (British International Research & Development) Innovation Centre exists to help start-ups, entrepreneurs, businesses, public agencies and universities put their open innovation principles into practice. Acting as an open innovation-networking hub, BIRD Innovation Centre works with young entrepreneurs, and SMEs via universities, national public and private agencies and it will develop a network of representative national and global companies in all relevant sectors.
SMEs and new start-ups are critical to a thriving economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for over 95% of firms and 60%-70% of employment and generate a large share of new jobs in the economy. SMEs can often be more flexible and responsive to local needs than large integrated firms. This centre will allow SMEs to pool resources and share the costs of training, research and marketing. Also the network facilitates exchange of ideas and diffusion of technology with the help of young innovators and start-ups.
Centre objectives are in two folds:
1-Start-ups incubator centre
The centre provides a supporting and encouraging environment to assist the young innovative entrepreneurs to launch new businesses (Start –ups)
2-SMEs business development centre
Centre will provide training, information, and networking assist the local SMEs to address their most pressing needs and to capitalise on their most promising opportunities.
The Educators is seeking local partners for the development of business innovation centres to support young start-up entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises (SME). The programme also emphasises the development of local network of institutions and individuals to act as facilitators of the networking process.
We will provide access to virtual environments and training materials (in English Language). The Educators will also provide, centre guideline, best practice guidelines, staff training, networking environment and industrial liaison, and management of the project, (subject to terms and conditions). Those interested to partner in running BIRD’s business centres should contact us.
