Showcasing 100 of Greater Manchester’s most innovative businesses

Published by Are you ready to UNLEASH YOUR INNOVATION? Business Growth Hub’s expert innovation services will help you break old patterns and create the right culture to generate and commercialise new ideas.

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Innovation.indd 1 19/01/2018 16:33 Are you ready to

UNLEASH YOUR WELCOME TIME TO MAKE CHANGES

INNOVATION? A word of Latin origin, to innovate is to make changes in something established, Business Growth Hub’s expert innovation services will or introduce something new. Literally, the origins of the word are to ‘make new’ and ‘renew’. It’s a simple word that carries with it huge potential for the help you break old patterns and create the right culture businesses of Greater Manchester. to generate and commercialise new ideas. Innovation is what happens when you combine what is possible with what is needed. It’s not necessarily inventing something new that’s never existed before – though, of course, it sometimes is. But what it always does is solve a problem, Start with a £5,000 Innovation Voucher CONTENTS create some value. And innovation in Greater Manchester is about as diverse as it gets. From high 06. CONNECTING THE TRIBES technology, cutting edge healthcare devices, through to the keeping of bees, Call The Growth Hub brings innovators, investors and there are few stones that haven’t been turned in the quest to find out what 0161 359 3050 entrepreneurs together happens ‘if we just do this…’. or visit businessgrowthhub.com/innovationservices Statistics from Innobarometer show that those companies that prioritise 08. BUSINESS BRAIN, TECHNOLOGY BRAIN innovation are also those who experience the highest increase in turnover, but The closing of one firm was the catalyst for brilliance that doesn’t mean that you have to be big to do it. The Innovation100 are all in Apadmi small and medium sized enterprises of Greater Manchester. Three true exemplars of innovation are explored in-depth here. Four ex- 20. TIME BOMB colleagues combined their skills to form Apadmi, providing mobile technology Can you establish a medical manufacturing facility in solutions that change businesses. A family firm, HMG Paints, are finding brand six months? new ways to coat surfaces. And Elucigene Diagnostics is working with our very DNA, finding solutions to healthcare challenges around the world. 26. A STRATEGY FOR IMPACT I’ve been impressed with the casual way that businesses of Greater At the University of Salford, industry and academia Manchester innovate. As if it’s no different to any other day at the office. are getting closer Something to be proud of, naturally, but not something to shout from the rooftops. 34. INNOVATE IN PAINT But it is. Because you’re changing the world, and the world needs to know. How do you make blue paint that doesn’t have any Join in the conversations on twitter using #Innovation100GM blue in it? Suzy Jackson, BQ Editor 38. IP PROTECTORS Securing intellectual property is the key to protecting innovations

50. HEAD IN THE CLOUD In association with Reinvestment in R&D has seen UKFast fly

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BQ, Spectrum 6, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, SR7 7TT. www.bqlive.co.uk. As a dedicated supporter of entrepreneurship, BQ is making a real and tangible contribution to local, regional and national economic growth across the UK. We are unique in what we aim to achieve as a media brand, a brand that has established a loyal audience of high growth SMEs and leading business influencers. They wholeheartedly believe in BQ’s focus on people – those individuals that are challenging the traditional ways of doing things. They are our entrepreneurs. BQ reaches entrepreneurs and senior business executives across Scotland, the North East and Cumbria, the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Wales, London and the South, in-print, online and through branded events. All contents copyright © 2018 BQ. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All content in this Innovation100 should be regarded as advertorial. All information is correct at time of going to print, Innovation100 Feb 2018.

Innovation.indd 1 19/01/2018 16:33 CONTACTS

SALES

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Helen Gowland Rachael Laschke Mike Moloney [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ACCOUNT DIRECTOR FINANCE ASSISTANT Hellen Murray Dave Townsley Maria Winsper [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

DESIGNER DESIGNER DESIGNER Stephen Ford Craig Hopson Oliver Hurcombe [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

SUB EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANT Peter Jackson Steve Jessop Sam Yard [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MULTIMEDIA

DIGITAL JOURNALIST DIGITAL JOURNALIST SENIOR DIGITAL JOURNALIST Ellen McGann Chris Middleton Bryce Wilcock [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY Nicky Rogerson www.kgphotography.co.uk

GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR Bryan Hoare Suzy Jackson [email protected] [email protected]

0191 389 8468 | bqlive.co.uk BQ LIVE @BQLIVE

“Innovation is seen as being “ very much part of growth, and it’s an essential part of helping businesses to become more competitive.” Showcasing 100 of Greater Manchester’s most innovative businesses READ ONLINE Sign up now for FREE at

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9 772515 BQ2 048006 BQ Magazine is available to Special Report www.bqlive.co.uk/bq-bulletin read online at bqlive.co.uk for to receive your NEW daily when you are on the move BULLETIN email update bqlive.co.uk 05 The great innovators The Innovation100 panel, give us their take on three standout businesses, the standard-bearers for how innovation happens, and what it can achieve, in business.

Apadmi have a hunger for learning. Creating Elucigene is a shining example of how to Can a long established business be competitive edge in mobile apps from leverage leading technology through a smart innovative? Certainly HMG paints, restlessly pushing the boundaries of what can commercialisation process. The result is a established in 1930 proves the point. It starts be done; a ‘what-next’ rather than ‘me-too’ company punching well above its weight, from clarity of focus, a vision as a niche attitude. In this market being agile is critical even against multi-national Pharmaceutical provider of surface coatings. Staying at the and Apadmi achieve this by building competitors. Elucigene are now the leading edge of challenges faced by the everything in-house, giving tight control over internationally leading provider of cystic industry, most notably seeing the tremendous their solutions and more freedom to create fibrosis diagnostics and with significant market range of opportunities for environmentally their own processes. They illustrate their keen shares for the pre-natal diagnosis of Downs, sustainable products. They are dealing with understanding that people are at the heart of Patau and Edwards syndromes. these issues head-on constantly moving their this ‘engine for growth’ by mentoring school They have focussed on addressing unmet product portfolio forwards. and university students as their future source clinical and technical challenges, collaborated They demonstrate a strong outward looking of human capital. with users, seamlessly integrating product perspective, seeking clarity of customers’ Through their Labs initiative they are conception and customer engagement. This needs as well as trends within the global discovering and developing pioneering innovative business approach significantly environment. Actively seeking innovative technologies. Looking for common trends, to de-risks ongoing new product development suppliers, researching not just their own but deal with underlying root cause issues across by ensuring products address the most critical across into other industry sectors. their client base. This is true innovation hurdles to adoption. Investment relative to their size illustrates synergy, where a problem is solved once for There is arguably as great an impact from the their conviction in innovation. They many. business process as the technology with understand that the true measure of But just as impressive is their understanding customers emotionally investing in the innovation success comes from customers, and management of the innovation process. solution in advance of launch. The company that the future of the business is dependent Putting their money where their mouth is with has recognised the intellectual know-how and on creating products that customers judge as hands-on investment in technology-based value associated by re-applying this winning most appropriate. start-ups through their Ventures programme, methodology throughout their product There are massive changes within the coatings collaborating with customers to understand portfolio. With several proven solutions world. HMG already have a great portfolio of how and where to make processes better and already in market, and further ongoing waterborne and solvent free product, applying technology solutions as the tool, not partner/customer collaborations in the however there is lots to do and HMG are the master. pipeline, the origins of Elucigene’s certainly up for it! phenomenal growth are clear.

from less than four staff right up to two Energimine hundred plus, these businesses are as diverse as it gets, but have an extraordinary ability to Hellosoda innovate in common. HMG Paints Covering Manchester, Stockport, Oldham, Trafford, and Salford, the ten firms who the Advanced Laser Technology Informed Solutions panel judged as making the greatest business Apadmi Now Healthcare impacts with their innovation are wonderfully diverse. From manufacturing, through green Beatstream The Insights People technology, healthcare, and digital media, and Elucigene Diagnostics 06 Partner

Connecting innovation’s three tribes Chris Greenhalgh, head of innovation and programme development, explains to Suzy Jackson just why the Business Growth Hub is focussing on innovation in Greater Manchester.

G reater Manchester has scores of to become more competitive. For example, and development through to other ways to businesses investing time, energy, and effort businesses that have a greater emphasis on innovate - and we’re really keen to be able into doing things differently - to borrow from international trade tend to be more innovative, to showcase those businesses that are doing Anthony H Wilson’s famous quote about his which indicates that they benefit more from interesting things, and will inspire others to see home town - but, forward-looking as ever, investment in R&D. Likewise, companies that how they can harness innovation.” the city is committed to making even greater invest in innovation are more likely to be Innovation100 builds on the annual innovative strides. businesses that go on to trade internationally Venturefest event run in partnership with Passionate about bringing together the and invest in their staff. So, there are local and national organisations like Innovate people who can shape the future – investors, undoubtedly some huge positives to working UK and the IPO. Venturefest Manchester is entrepreneurs, and innovators – the Business with companies to help them become more an opportunity for business leaders and Growth Hub, now in its seventh year, is working innovative and harness the potential that they entrepreneurs to meet investors who’ll to support innovation amongst the region’s already have in their business.” potentially fund their innovative ideas, small and medium sized businesses. It’s that kind of virtuous circle that is fed academics with access to know how and Chris says, “We have a remit to work with by the important links between investors, facilities, and local specialist service providers, ambitious businesses with the potential for innovators, and entrepreneurs. For those who to help with R&D tax incentives for example as growth, to help them to achieve their aims and are thinking about the benefits of innovation, well as the Business Growth Hub. objectives, and ultimately reap the benefits that finding the right contacts is key. “We run Venturefest here in Greater growth brings to our local economy in Greater “With regard to the work we’re doing on Manchester as a fantastic platform for Manchester.” Innovation100,” Chris continues, “we work with innovative businesses, established or start “Innovation is very much part of growth a wide range of businesses that are looking to, up, to show what they’re doing, and it is an and is an essential part of helping businesses and are, investing in innovation - from research opportunity to bring together; those investors, Partner 07

“Innovation is seen as being very much “ part of growth, and it’s an essential part £ of helping businesses to become more competitive.”

entrepreneurs, and innovators. the 100,” Chris stresses, “but there are a number taking an idea forward, and to support them “In fact, we run the Innovation Showcase of themes that are of key interest to the city doing that. competition aimed at enabling some of those region. Particularly advanced engineering and “We work very closely with the four companies to spotlight what they’re doing to materials, health and life sciences, and other universities in Greater Manchester, and offer the market. We know from competitions we’ve areas like education, business and professional innovation vouchers up to £5,000, aimed at done already that it helps to raise their profile, services and the digital industries, which are all helping companies to take their innovation attracting interest from investors, the press, and important to the economy here and we’re keen forward developing and exploiting innovative potential customers’. to highlight. ideas, learn from the benefits of collaboration, “But we wanted to be able to bring those “Through Innovation100 we are helping and help them in the future to be better benefits to a broader range of companies,” business shout about some of the great things equipped to exploit innovation.” Chris points out, “and so in our partnership with they are doing in these and other industries and Demonstrating their commitment to BQ and others for the Innovation100, we have a demonstrating how innovation is occurring in advancing innovation in Greater Manchester, shared aim to give some interesting businesses many ways. Business Growth Hub has formed unique links a chance to raise their profile, because we know “Helping businesses become successful with other specialist support organisations to it will help them.” is our focus and we want to see many more amplify the help available to businesses. It’s of particular importance to illustrate that Innovation100 businesses.” “We have strong partnership with the innovation is not limited to the R&D we often Business Growth Hub can step in and offer IPO and Innovate UK, who both have staff think of. “It occurs across different sectors, support. “We offer a portfolio of services co-located here with us, which is all about different sizes of companies,” Chris says. “It aimed at these businesses, designed to make increasing the opportunities for collaboration can often be related to product innovation it simpler to find the support that they need, and to support businesses to innovate. We’re with well-known examples like Dyson, G-tech and overcome the challenges they face, to help joining up the dots to get more support for and Tesla, but it can also apply to developing them to become more productive, competitive, businesses. disruptive business models, applying new and help them see a healthier bottom line. “We’re actively looking to deepen all processes, and delivering new services. “We offer innovation services, to help these relationships, focussed on supporting Innovation is across many different facets of businesses consider what opportunities they businesses and making it simpler for them to business. might have, how they can overcome any access the support and investment that they “There’s a variety of sectors represented in barriers that might be preventing them from need.” n 08 Innovation100 Feature

Four men, skilled in finance, sales, skills and technology, came together in a venture called Apadmi. Suzy Jackson explores how the whole became greater than the sum of its parts. Business brain, technology brain

We’re a mobile technology group - and Adam Fleming - founded Apadmi in 2009. Howard’s specialism was people, and he we make mobile work,” says Howard Simms, “The four of us who founded the company picked up the phone to the very best of co-founder of Apadmi and CEO of Apadmi had worked together for about ten years, in the people they’d worked with in their last Ventures. “Our team of thinkers, developers, the earliest days of the mobile industry; we company and invited them to join him at designers, UX-ers and inventors work with actually built the very first smartphone, over in Apadmi. “The firm benefitted from the many clients to understand how and where to use Warrington. years we’d all spent together previously. mobile to make processes better. “So we have a long heritage of building “The first thing we decided to do was to And so, innovation is baked into the very mobile technology solutions. One day we spread our eggs across many baskets,” he says, heart of the business. But they innovate both found ourselves made redundant, and it was explaining that the previous company failed for themselves, and on behalf of their clients a very sad day, but we managed to turn that because of the dependency on a single, large and partners. “Our developers, designers into a positive because two days after that client. and engineers have crafted mobile solutions happened, we founded Apadmi. “We decided to be experts across the whole for clients like the Co-op, Argos, United “We’ve benefitted from the fact we’ve range of mobile operating systems and server Utilities and the BBC. Our Labs team explore, worked together for many years, and we had technologies. In essence, we wanted to be able discover and develop pioneering technologies, complimentary skills. One was great with to build mobile from scratch. Those are the while our Ventures arm seeks out exciting, strategy and financials, one was a sales person, skills we wanted in house. So, we built a mobile market-disrupting start-ups, investing time, one’s deeply technical, and one was very team, we built a server team, and we built a technological expertise and financial support.” good at people, processes, and delivery. So user experience and design team.” They – Howard, Garry Partington, Nick Black collectively, we were a very strong core.” That put them in a strong position to be bqlive.co.uk 09

able to build any kind of technology software solution. And if you take a look at their client list you’ll see big names like NHS, BBC, AstraZeneca, Range Rover. You’ll have used the technology they created in the BBC iPlayer radio app, the Skyscanner app, British Museums, maybe even on the X Factor! “We were born with the idea that we would be experts in the creation of mobile technology. We set out our stall to become the best; to set the bar very high, and we’ve kept that bar high. It’s led to us becoming one of, if not the strongest name in the UK for the creation of mobile technology. “The premise for the business was that we wanted to create a very strong service company,” he continues. They didn’t plan to be enormous, but wanted to be a good size, 50-100 people, and that would allow them to grow their skills, work with great clients, but also spot opportunities. “Our heritage is firmly rooted in Manchester. We’re always looking for opportunities to invest in new digital companies, helping to grow the tech community.” Some of those companies include:

• Data analytics company RealityMine, who received £11m in Venture Capital-backed investment.

• Newly-launched digital advertising platform Bidooh (previously OfferMoments), who recently received £1.5m investment.

• Dating app JigTalk, the first ever British business accepted onto the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Centre’s start-up programme.

• Funnel Music, a music company that sources and develops emerging artists.

• Holiday property company, Second Estates - recently raised £290,000 in investment (formally Holiday Crowd)

• Beatstream, which recently won the pitching competition at VentureFest Manchester.

“Aside from that, we’ve recently taken a second office in The Federation - the digital hub in the heart of Manchester, with Co-op Digital based on the top floor, and many other technology start-ups working here. It’s the perfect creative environment to connect with like- minded individuals and equally innovative businesses.” Howard feels that the secret to success is that they’ve always been entrepreneurial. “Goal number one – build a brilliant software development company. We’ve achieved that. Goal number two - even from our infancy we’ve always invested in ideas. That’s the entrepreneurial side coming through. We’re not so technical that we don’t consider the business approach and the business need, which is slightly different from many technologists who like to play with tech but don’t look so closely at the business needs. “So we’ve got a business brain as well as a technology brain, and that’s served us very well,” he says. “Over the years, we’ve built and invested in a number of technology spin outs, and they’ve taken us into a range of different sectors, like market research, football, retail, music, travel, advertising… so alongside Apadmi, a few years ago we formalised an investment model which was basically our equity portfolio, and that’s Apadmi Ventures.” Apadmi Ventures was born out of the realisation that, as a business, they’re different. They’ve got some ‘almighty’ skills, and because they 10 Innovation100 Feature

can create most technology solutions they’re grow and scale a business.” still involved in the Apadmi Group. “We don’t a strong and credible partner for a lot of Aside from providing customers with high- necessarily work every day together now, technology start-ups. quality mobile solutions, Apadmi Labs and because we’re all involved in different areas, but “I remember a few years ago, sitting asking Apadmi Ventures represent true innovation. the four of us are still here; we’re still talking, the question ‘what does growth look like for Labs has research, development and we still go for beers, we still have a laugh and us?’ and it was either more developers and discovery at its core. Ongoing projects include a giggle together! So many people fall out, but designers delivering more technology solutions, the development of frameworks that allow we can still have a laugh and take the mickey or, because of our skills, more spin outs, more SMEs to leverage machine learning techniques out of each other, so that’s good. investments, more tech companies being to perform personalisation and specialisation in “It’s nice because we have this strong core, created around us. Because we’ve done a good their apps, and wider marketing approach. This and it makes us stronger than other businesses. job in creating the services company, it made is all without the need to collect and maintain You don’t want to duplicate yourself, you want sense for us to move into the investment side. personally identifiable information - something people with complementary skills around you.” “And with the people we work with and which is increasingly regulated (GDPR) and Proud as they are of their Manchester partner with, I think they’d all say they were difficult to do. history and heritage, have they ever felt the pleased to have Apadmi on board, from a Ventures provides hands-on investment for pull of the bright lights of London? “The quick shareholder’s point of view and a board point technology-based start-ups - be it time, money answer is no. We’re born and bred; raised in of view, because we bring something different or expertise. Manchester with a strong affinity. Many years to the conversations to be had about how to Some nine years later, all four founders are ago you might have considered London a lure, bqlive.co.uk 11

but I could suggest that it’s working the other way in some circumstances. “Quality of life, and affordability, is starting to make people look at living in a city in Manchester, so I wonder if we’re starting to see a tide turning because of Manchester’s ambitions. Now we have a Mayor, devolution, the BBC, lots of indications that it’s perfectly acceptable now to live, and grow your career, in Manchester. “We’re very happy that we chose to stay here, because something’s happening at the moment. It feels somewhat special to be in Manchester just now, and hopefully this is just the start of it – we can see so much more to come.” Still a growing business, Apadmi alone employs around 66 people. “Extrapolate out all the businesses we’re invested in,” Howard says, “and across the group it’s more like 120 people. “We need an army of developers and designers to be coming through constantly. We need university graduates to be staying in Manchester, or migrating to Manchester, because the jobs are there and the culture is growing. You need more people coming through to feed the Northern machine. “ It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where the “When the technology saves lives or helps people’s magic sits in Apadmi. “There’s this restlessness attached to us,” Howard explains. “We don’t sit quality of life, you’re just delighted to be involved.” on our laurels and claim that we’ve cracked it; “ we’re constantly looking at new technologies, at new sectors being created by innovative At the moment, the team’s putting time into delivered was for the NHS. In the Donor trust, technology. We’re always playing with new areas like voice technology, machine learning, at the awful moment when someone passes things. and IoT. away, the nurses need to be with the family “As a by-product of the investment division “We ran a Dragon’s Den style event for capturing information manually that they later I’m now exposed to new ideas in a whole our staff, where we invited everyone in the transfer to a terminal. And they were using host of sectors, and how technology can be company to choose an idea and pitch it to anything they could lay their hands on and innovative to those sectors. We’re part of the founders. At the end of the day, everyone having to leave a grieving family to do their job. a conversation about how technology can voted on their favourite, and the winning “So, we took paper away from them and innovate. Because we’re super skilled in the application is being built. gave them iPads, plugged into a cloud solution. world of technology, we can bring innovation “One of our staff, Tom, his friend’s father It’s capturing data intuitively, which is being to any sector in the form of collaborative had a stroke which left him with ‘locked-in uploaded and instantly being made available conversation. syndrome’ so he struggles to communicate. He to the whole healthcare system. And that just And because they’re very technical can only communicate through blinking. There’s feels like a brilliant use of technology to solve internally, their team are always playing with technology that allows him to communicate a problem.” new technology - and out of that can be born but it’s very expensive. Tom pitched an idea Howard often feel like they’re just scratching amazing ideas. “We create our own products; involving an iPad, which we’ve built and the surface of their capabilities. “We would we have a real desire to invest more into our he’s now got ready to demonstrate, using a say we’re very good at creating technology, own products and take them to market. Again, technology that allows you to use your eyes to and we partner with those who are very good we’re sector agnostic for the most part, if we select words. at taking that technology to market. It allows think something’s a good idea and can help – or That’s the best use of technology, he muses. both parties to play their role very well. It feels disrupt – an existing sector, then as long as you “When the technology saves lives or helps that although we have achieved a great deal, can take the technology to market, we don’t people’s quality of life, you’re just delighted to we’re still at the tip of the iceberg and there is care what sector it might be.” be involved. The biggest solution we’ve ever so much more to come…” n 12 Innovation100

Academous is a Manchester-based edtech Actiphons is a unique and innovative Stockport-based Advanced Laser Technology company which aims to connect university children’s education programme aiming (ALT) develops laser systems for a range of researchers and PhD students to local people to inspire the next generation to learn manufacturing industries:- cleaning, additive who would be willing to participate in user their phonics through playing fun sports manufacture and cladding. Its in-house studies and online surveys. The company and physical activities. Through a multi- team works closely with academics from is a huge advocate of digital privacy and platform approach consisting of TV, Teaching universities and research institutes and is at promotes partial anonymity for all of its users. Resources and Merchandise, the company the forefront of laser technology research aims to combat the ever rising obesity and and design. illiteracy levels around the world. www.academous.com www.actiphons.com www.altlasers.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07586 328588 07743 413719 0161 273 3880

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Aquacheck Engineering Ltd is a supplier of ADXBA are leaders in digital signage, and precision-engineered components for the Manchester-based Art of Honey sources the deliver end-to-end solutions to a growing list water industry, specialising in the manufacture highest quality honeys from producers across of clients in the airport, retail and advertising of back flow prevention devices and water the globe. Beekeeping with a social focus, industries. We offer screen and system design, tools. Through the use of new technology, they introduce homeless men and women to the ‘ancient art of beekeeping’ to provide manufacture, project delivery, maintenance and industry expertise and the latest research, seasonal job opportunities, improve mental management for smaller single wayfinding units the company has developed and produced health and give a sense of belonging. to large scale network rollouts and outdoor a series of unique, innovative, bespoke products for the water industry. billboards. www.adxba.co.uk www.aqua-check.co.uk www.artofhoney.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 850 2233 01706 344997 (+44) 0161 791 0823

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Avakino Ltd has created Masumi Headwear, Beatstream has developed technology which Benefacto is a social enterprise that helps made from soft fabrics such as organic allows people to listen to live music from professional people find and book local bamboo and silky cotton, specifically bars, clubs and live music venues across the Manchester volunteering opportunities. They designed for people with hair loss due country. From DJ sets to concerts and live work closely with businesses and charities alopecia or cancer. Since launching last gigs, users can tune into events from across to get as many people involved in employee year, Masumi Headwear already supplies it’s the country through the touch of an app. volunteering as possible. products to the NHS and customers across the globe and is very proud to support Teenage Cancer Trust. www.masumiheadwear.com www.beatstream-live.com benefacto.org/north-west/ [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 282 8843 07827 669033

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The Business Fraud Prevention Partnership is an award-winning provider of security CallMeHelp Ltd has developed a pre-emptive CampusConnect is a mobile app connecting awareness training, accredited by GCHQ aid call service for elderly and potentially universities/colleges with their incoming as part of the National Cyber Security vulnerable people who live alone. The service prospective students. Students can connect Programme. BFPP’s online training, simulated uses a combination of people’s electrical with fellow prospects, current students and phishing exercises and policy management energy use, movement around the home and/ staff, as well as accessing key pre-enrolment tools help organisations engage, educate or direct feedback to give those concerned information in uniquely personalised and and empower employees to become their continuous information on their wellbeing. interactive way. The service provides strongest defence against fraud and cyber- institutions with higher rates of enrolment and crime. students who are better prepared and happier. www.thebfpp.org www.callmehelp.com www.campusconnect.ie [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0800 772 0878 07746 302442 07775 863205

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Chromition is a leading developer, producer Clin-e-cal has developed app based tools Wigan-based Cloud Perspective is a & supplier of proprietary Elecspheres™ to address unmet needs in the respiratory consultancy which is focused on the semiconductor-polymer inks, Dielecspheres™ sector. The company’s technology allows, resolution of data issues within businesses. dielectric-ink for next-generation ultra- for the first time, objectivity to be brought The company works with firms to develop low power printed-electronics and into assessment of inhaler technique, which solutions and a strategy to better collate, photoluminescent Luminspheres™ for is important for effective treatment of store and utilise their data, ensuring it is fit bioimaging, lighting, security, decorative & widespread respiratory diseases such as for purpose. sunlight down-shifting applications. asthma.

www.chromition.com www.clin-e-cal.com www.cloudperspective.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07773 393716 01942 705259

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Colour Synthesis Solutions (CSS) is a leading Code Nation is on a mission to create the provider of bespoke research, intellectual Cool Cold Brew is a ready-to-drink range of next-generation of coders and help them property and manufacturing services to 50L chilled coffee drinks that uses a cold brew find work. What makes it stand out from scale. Through our expertise in molecular process to unleash the naturally sweet and other coding schools is the fact that it not design, CSS synthesises novel molecules rich flavour of the beans. Every batch begins only helps teach people how to code, but it that allow the manipulation of light for with a house roast of sustainably-sourced also works directly with businesses across the applications including; electronic displays, arabica coffee grounds being brewed in North West to help them get employed. smart windows, solar energy capture, OLED/ filtered water for over 17 hours. OPV, personal care and textiles.

www.wearecodenation.com www.cssolutions.co.uk www.coolcoldbrew.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 214 7240 0161 721 1424 0161 327 0016

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WWW. .COM

Multi award winning Curated Place is an arts- Cowherds is a Salford-based cold pressed led creative production company specialising d-Wise is a technology leader in the juice manufacturer and social enterprise in international public programmes, large scale healthcare industry with the knowledge aiming to improve health among the people public installations, original commissions, and expertise to help empower life science of Manchester. Not only is their product artist development, and sustainable and healthcare organizations to solve their produced fresh each day, they source organic production delivery. The company plans, business optimization challenges. They focus ingredients where possible, use sustainable develops, and delivers arts and music on helping customers rapidly harness and packaging, and recycle leftover pulp into commissions, festivals, exhibitions and events leverage data as well as integrate systems and renewable energy. incorporating education and outreach with processes to gain competitive advantage. high quality creative realisation. www.cowherds.org.uk [email protected] www.d-wise.com [email protected] +44 161 408 1814 [email protected] 07817 596504 07824 364958

The 100.indd 20 07/02/2018The 16:50 100.indd 21 26/01/2018The 100.indd10:05 27 26/01/2018 10:12

Demarq Academy helps companies to improve the effectiveness of their analytical DigiDentistry is a unique application-driven Dsposal is an online hub that connects teams. Our unique development workshops 3D dental educational tool designed to waste producers with licensed waste provide training in the key soft skills required stimulate and improve learning. Using facilities. The company’s plan to be the by analysts and are delivered by people with augment reality and animation. Priding itself first interconnected, collaborative waste extensive client-side analytical experience. on being easy to use and even easier to learn, management software is bringing innovation We also provide access to outstanding talent DigiDentistry’s Educational Resources capture to a neglected sector. This could help to through our innovative graduate resourcing the imagination, improving both engagement tackle waste crime, promote waste as a programme. and academic grades. resource and drive the circular economy.

www.demarq.uk [email protected] www.dsposal.uk [email protected] 07825 506432 [email protected] 07413 175150 07713 097697

The 100.indd 22 26/01/2018The 11:52 100.indd 23 25/01/2018The 100.indd11:24 24 26/01/2018 10:09

Duo UK has been manufacturing, engineering, Using our factory made modular timber panel Emile Education develops and provides procuring and distributing packaging for system, we are able to offer a full turn-key online teaching resources for primary schools client’s world over since 1988. service to provide extremely sustainable and based on leading pedagogical techniques. In Whether it’s saving money or the planet, well designed customisable homes. Our range conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Education, over 15% of creating stronger products or partnerships, includes affordable micro-homes through to 3 primary schools in the UK and Ireland have delivering expert advice and excellent results or 4 bedroom town houses. The buildings are subscribed to their resources and the firm is a guarantee. equally suited for commercial use. is now expanding their range to overseas markets.

www.duo-uk.co.uk www.dwelle.co.uk www.Emile-education.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 203 5767 0161 225 4000 01204 224296

The 100.indd 25 26/01/2018 10:10 The 100.indd 29 26/01/2018 10:14 bqlive.co.uk 15

Energi Mine is a blockchain-based business Foleo is an intelligent deal distribution Freeflush design, supply and install rainwater that uses Deep Learning Artifi cial Intelligence platform for investment agents, providing a harvesting systems. We help consumers and models to streamline the energy procure- centralised file hub which can provide data businesses to lower their water usage and ment process. They are building a blockchain insights for investors. Foleo helps to make reduce their environmental impact. Every day solution to decentralize energy markets and the deal’s due diligence process informed, a third of all drinking water is flushed down create a platform that rewards energy saving streamlined and data-driven, and also the toilet. Our vision is to challenge this behaviour and currently trade energy on provides lead generation tools to attract new status quo with the introduction of disruptive behalf of large businesses throughout Europe, clients. technology. managing over $140m of energy.

www.energitoken.com www.getfoleo.com www.freeflush.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] +44 (0) 161 791 0641 0161 327 2827 0161 667 1241

The 100.indd 30 25/01/2018The 14:42100.indd 32 25/01/2018The 100.indd14:38 31 26/01/2018 10:16

We believe in communication. Despite living Hallidays are established leaders in the in a connected world, conversations between GoSimple Software creates financial software Hydropower industry. They develop and apps for anyone looking to take control organisations and customers are becoming technologies to harness water and generate of their income, tax submissions and record- energy. Recent projects include installations more and more difficult to maintain. The keeping. The company’s goal is to make it for ‘The National Trust’ & ‘Blenheim Palace number of contact channels is growing, and easy for individuals to keep track of their Estate’. Focused on investor led partnerships systems are becoming increasingly disparate. income and expenses and empowering them and technology innovation, their extensive We can help by making sure everyone to declare what they owe, on their own, knowledge in renewables and development speaks to the right person, with the right without mistakes or missed opportunities. unlocks untapped markets both locally and information, at the right time. abroad. [email protected] [email protected] www.hallidays.com 0330 088 5621 0161 413 ,05070 [email protected] 01865 349020

The 100.indd 36 29/01/2018 15:17 HS HELLOSODA

Hello Soda is a big data and text analytics HE Inventions is a technology business that business which develops unique software MBAG is a department within Hillman uses augmented and mixed reality to improve solutions to enable businesses to Technology, a design and manufacturing manufacturing. Our flagship product, a digital adapt to the demands of modern-day company in the electronics market. MBAG a inspection table, replaces a manual paper consumers. Its innovations derive meaning new product for the retail market, a multi-use process with projected digital overlays and from unstructured data to supplement fashion phone holder with several derivative sensing. HE Inventions specialises in bringing traditional data sources to increase access products from its initial design. The product technology from research directly into to services, reduce fraud, and personalise has recently been launched to a worldwide traditional industries. communications. market.

www.heinventions.com [email protected] www.m-bag.co.uk [email protected] 0161 987 7632 [email protected] 07548 072261 0161 796 6511

The 100.indd 36 25/01/2018The 13:52100.indd 37 22/01/2018 16:34 16 Partner

Innovation can call for investment and mean incurring extra costs, but Catax Meet the can help you recover a large part of those through valuable tax reliefs. relief managers

Altrincham’s tax relief specialists, Catax, purchases, Capital Allowances on the we decided to diversify into research and were founded ten years ago with an even embedded plant & machinery within a property development, which offers tax relief – or tax narrower specialism. They worked exclusively or build stage are much more specialised – you credits. They are effectively the same, except on helping people reclaim Capital Allowances. must be able to look at a radiator that might the benefit is received differently.” Group managing director Paul Johnson have been installed in 2004, sockets from 1998, The R&D legislation is designed to incentivise tells BQ: “Capital Allowances are part of all with different values.” companies who are being innovative; who Government legislation, and if you own the And with a matrix of values going back 40 are developing new or improving existing freehold of a property, you’re allowed to claim years or more – “because properties could products, processes, services, devices, materials allowances for embedded items – things like easily have been in families or businesses since or knowledge in their sector. For example – it lighting, heating, data cables, going back to then” – Catax are uniquely qualified to help can be anything from creating new menus for when the property was first purchased. You can capitalise on this allowance. That uniqueness is a restaurant, developing software systems for only claim once, to keep it clean, unless you do underpinned by their impressive client numbers. enhancing service delivery or new packaging a refurbishment or an extension. “We’ve serviced something in the region of to reduce waste and increase the shelf life of “Whilst accountants will typically be able to 12,000 clients in that time,” Paul says. products, so it’s not just the high-tech end of claim some allowances on everyday equipment “Then, about three and a half years ago, the market. Partner 17

“We show them the opportunity, and we’re very strict about complying with the legislation, “ but this data really is what sets us apart from other advisers.”

This really is the hidden value in your people who’ll pay PAYE and National Insurance, by sector,” Paul says, illustrating the way they business. Research and Development Tax and spend their money on products on which use data to the advantage of their client. “If Credits are a UK tax incentive designed to they’ll pay VAT. So, for them, it’s a 3x, 4x, maybe someone is creating painted textiles, or a new encourage companies to invest in R&D and even 5x return on their investment in British type of printing on textiles, we could go to innovation. Companies can significantly reduce industry.” them and tell them the typical apportionments their tax bill or claim payable cash credits as a And it doesn’t have to be a big business, they can claim based on the data we have from proportion of their R&D expenditure and this like AstraZeneca who’ll obviously be using this our existing clients. can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. scheme. This is for everyone. “We primarily deal “So, we can sit with them and identify for “It’s had an enormous push from the with SMEs,” Paul says. “So, if someone is trying them the 16 – for example – areas that they can government, with billions of pounds of to make a new garden shed that is guaranteed claim for. If they tell me ‘Jim has worked on it additional support announced in recent not to rot, and they’ve imported timber from for three days of his week’, we can potentially budgets,” Paul says. “To make sure that the UK all over Europe trying to make it happen, we claim not just for him, but for the receptionist remains competitive, the tax relief is offered to can help. Ideally, we’re looking for a £50,000 who had to check and sign for the orders, for any company that’s investing in subcontractors minimum spend, but obviously some big the security man who must do an extra 20 or their own employees, and it can include businesses are spending many times that.” minutes per night walking around and checking costs of materials and project fulfilment – So that’s Catax. They’re keeping it simple, all the extra stock they hold.” And that’s an including trial and error. though in very complex environments, and excellent example of the holistic view of “The project doesn’t have to be successful. If when they say that they specialise in these tax business that makes them so successful. it takes you ten goes to do something, and the reliefs, they’re not joking. Innovators themselves, “We hold the hand of our clients; we show tenth one is successful, you can still reclaim tax they’ve used all the knowledge and experience them the opportunity, and we’re very strict credits on all the time, effort and supplies you built up over the thousands of cases they’ve about complying with the legislation, but this used for the first nine.” supported so far. data really is what sets us apart from other It’s important to remember the bigger “Accountants who typically look after advisers, as it is based on the thousands of picture, when it comes to supporting businesses SMEs have a broad range of services, so they’ll businesses we’ve already worked with.” by helping them reclaim the full amounts that do payroll, VAT, statutory accounts, self- Complimenting the established services, they’re entitled to. “The government knows assessment…we compliment the work that Catax have another trick hidden up their that if they support companies by providing accountants do, whether they’re in-house and sleeves – or in this case, in a box. “We have just this tax relief, they’ll get a great return on it employed, or contracted in. soft-launched the patent box,” Paul says, citing – turnover will increase because the R&D will “We have a benefit calculator, containing another government legislation whereby “if a ultimately be successful, they’ll employ more more than 50,000 lines of data looking at costs company has obtained a patent for an item 18 Partner

“Manchester has a great history of innovation; there Paul joined the firm in October 2016. “Originally, I started off training to be an are so many great stories that have gone global from accountant, and I fell into the car parking “ Manchester.” world.” He spent 26 years working for NCP, a business he cites as being truly incredible. “I was originally on the operations side, becoming Operations Director and creating its first joint or process, they’re able to claim a reduction in “Our head office is in Altrincham, South venture – the only joint venture of its kind, with their corporation tax on the profit that’s made Manchester. We have an office in London, a Manchester City Council, where we took on all from that item or process, or the subsequent satellite in Carlisle, and we have plans in the their car parks and staff, and built a state of the saleable product it’s used to create. coming months for Edinburgh. Our business art digital control room which opened in 2000. “So if you make and patent a new spark plug, development managers travel nationally, “I was responsible for running all the sales you can claim for the profit on the engine or speaking with businesses across multiple and for their season tickets, so around £40m of even the entire car in certain circumstances. The industries, helping clients uncover their hidden turnover alongside the training of all operations patented component must provide a material tax relief.” staff about the commerciality of the car parking benefit to the item which is produced. The And the world is their oyster. industry. Because we were there to make beauty of the patent box is that you must have Paul worked alongside the team on the money, like every business, we worked with done some R&D to create a patent – so we can process of whittling down all the entrants hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, any businesses provide you with both services.” to the final list of 100 innovators in Greater who wanted to increase footfall, where we The Catax client base is building rapidly, but Manchester. “When we reviewed the could do deals to provide their car parking the team have built a business that can scale Innovation100 entrants with the rest of the throughout the UK. alongside that. “We’ve had approximately 3,000 team, it was exciting. Manchester has a great “Whilst operational,” he concedes, “I’ve successful cases and the business is growing history of innovation; there are so many great always been very much focussed on the P&L rapidly. Catax has gone from three people stories that have gone global from Manchester, and looking at where a business can innovate initially, up towards 90 staff. The R&D scheme and with the technology parks and the growth and create value.” has created a lot of sole traders having a go hub’s support there are loads of start-ups. So, his parting message is one of support: at it – it’s very popular – but even our biggest “I think we are inherently innovative in the “We can help all these companies; you don’t competitors only have a small number of UK. We have some of the world’s greatest have to be making profit, or even have a people dedicated to this, whereas we specialise scientists and engineers, F1, a lot of chemical turnover. Whether you used your own money, in and invest considerable resources into this and medical advances, and even in the or borrowed from elsewhere, you can still relief.” technology world, Silicon Valley has a lot of claim money on R&D – the money that you get And they’re focused on the future: “It’s Brits. back can be reinvested in further R&D in your a young company; we employ postgrads “It’s heart-warming that we’ve got so much business! who come in and are promoted through the of that going on in Greater Manchester.” And the future for Catax, and for Paul? business. We’ve just recently taken on an And they’re keeping that heritage particularly “We’re very ambitious about our growth, operations director, Alex Lundy and we’re close to their hearts, taking on one of the heavily investing in our people, offering training gearing up for the future. It’s exciting times for project leaders and a scientist who was involved and support for everybody – and I love it, I us. in the Graphene project in Manchester. absolutely love it.” n Partner 19

TAX RELIEF UNCOVERED Proud to support a nation of innovation. Helping businesses claim an average of £44,000 in tax credits! Catax are proud to be sponsoring the Innovation100 Awards, finding the most innovative companies here in Greater Manchester. We help UK businesses claim for Research & Development and the Patent Box tax relief, allowing for further investment into future innovation.

It’s not just about people in white lab coats. R&D and Patent box tax relief is the Government’s way of rewarding companies that are developing new or improving existing products, processes, services, devices and materials or advancing the state of knowledge in their sector.

We’ve worked with thousands of clients nationwide and have an average client benefit of over £44,000. In fact, in some cases the tax relief itself could represent as much as 33% return on investment for the R&D project.

The money you get back could help grow your business. So far we have Call us now to start your claim on: uncovered 0300 303 1903 £167m email: [email protected] in tax relief for our or visit: www.catax.com clients Manchester – London

Innovation 100 - Advert2.indd 1 01/02/2018 16:57:00 20 Innovation100 Feature

We were a ticking time bomb ! When the Elucigene brand was purchased from a large MedTech company, they had six months to establish a Manchester manufacturing facility for their genetic testing kits before their stock ran out. CEO Mark Street-Docherty tells Suzy Jackson how they diffused the bomb.

Please, do just let me know if I lose you!” at both a reduced cost and effort to the to have to test against?” Mark’s voice is warm and friendly, which is a international healthcare community. Elucigene has become a flagship leader in comfort when it’s not immediately obvious “Our whole business is based on innovation,” the CF market, which accounts for more than how to pronounce the name of his business Mark says. “Our product development puts half of their revenue. “We’ve taken on some (it’s e-lusa-jean), much less for a layperson to overcoming unmet clinical and technical big international diagnostic companies doing understand what they do. “My whole team, challenges at its heart. It is these innovations that,” Mark says. “It’s given us around a 45% and most people I deal with, are scientifically that differentiate our products from our market share, but within central Europe we trained in genetics so we’re quite comfortable competition. We focus on creating products have between 80-100% share, depending on talking about it – but I appreciate your readers that simplify the problems our customers had the market.” aren’t all going to be geneticists!” in the medical diagnostics industry. When you They’re big players in a big marketplace, He helps to break it down. Cystic look at the genetics of CF, if you imagine there despite being a relatively small firm based at fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting 1 in are around 2,500 different things that can go CityLabs in Manchester city centre. “One of 2,000 people in Europe. It’s a life-limiting illness, wrong in the gene, there’s a small subset of the strengths in our success is the strength of for which there is no known cure, but early those per ethnic background that would cause our technology, but the fact we are a small and diagnosis is improving the prognosis of patients. an individual to have CF. dynamic business has meant we’ve been able Elucigene produces the only commercially “In the UK, there are about 20 of those that to respond to micro-climate changes in what available pan-European testing kit, designed affect the population. So instead of having one needs are for customers. specifically to address the most common product that tries to look at all 2,000 mutations “So, for bigger companies that we’ve been genetic mutations found across populations of with less accuracy, we’ve gone market by competing against, they’d find it difficult European origin. Taking existing technologies market, so if you’re from a Spanish, French, to take the approach we can take in the and using them in a new way allows patients to German, or British ethnic background, for marketplace, which is that we’re not diagnosing receive a timelier diagnosis, earlier treatment, example, what is the best panel for a clinician CF in a general way. We’re looking at the bqlive.co.uk 21 22 Innovation100 Feature

incidents of disease in different populations, Sheffield, Liverpool all have a strong life and then designing our products to enable sciences reputation. It can be difficult to get clinicians to diagnose individuals in their good staff, and staff that are available to come markets.” and work for you.” Now some 30-strong, the The Elucigene brand has been around since team are deeply rooted in the North West. about 1994. It was originally owned by larger CityLabs was set up by the Manchester pharmaceuticals including ICI and AstraZeneca, Science Partnership and Elucigene were the and it went through several purchases over a first ones into the building, so they could 15-year period. choose where to position themselves. That, In 2013, development stopped and the team Mark says, was the predominant use of the working on the products were effectively made cash from investors. “We spent about £1m redundant. They went out and sought backing on developing a state-of-the-art facility for from venture capitalists, to purchase the brand manufacturing the products we had, alongside and its product. “Scott Higgins and Mike Webb, a new product portfolio, and all of the who’ve both since moved on, were responsible innovations we’re done since. for bringing Elucigene out on it’s own. They “CityLabs is located on the edge of the took the backing of Percipient Capital, in biggest hospital in Manchester, so we’ve London, who remain our main backer today.” been able to bring NHS experience into the “The rest of us joined the business in company as well as academic experience. The 2013, buying the Elucigene brand and the key Manchester corridor is becoming quite rich products that had been developed. We took a with life sciences business and we’re all able to small number of international customers, and feed off each other to find opportunities for “We work in one of the more highly regulated industries, and it did take most of that six-month “ period to start producing stock under an accredited system.”

just six months’ worth of the existing products. international growth.” So as soon as they signed the agreement, the In their new home, Elucigene became firm became a ticking time bomb.” a completely self-sufficient company; Six months of stock might sound like a lot in they have different elements internally the context of some industries, but what they from manufacturing, through research and had to do was establish a manufacturing facility development, quality management and from scratch, and get it accredited to produce regulation, and a growing sales team. Mark these products. “We work in one of the more himself joined the team as sales manager for highly regulated industries, and it did take most Northern Europe originally, and worked his of that six-month period to start producing way up. stock under an accredited system.” With their CF testing kits continuing to be He describes them ending up in Manchester a resounding success, the firm set its sights on as ‘serendipitous’. “The Elucigene brand was other, new, forms of innovation. “We’re moving based in Abingdon, in Oxfordshire for a long on into other disease areas,” he says. “Our key time, and moved to Manchester as part of a areas are around single gene disorders, common 2010 acquisition. The two directors moved with genetic problems, and infertility is a big growth it, and several of the staff too. They looked at a area for us. One of our first products dealt few places… but staying within Manchester has with common male infertility, looking at rarer been a really good long-term decision because but still significant causes at a DNA level which of the facilities. cause a man to be infertile. We also have kits “We also had the choice of looking at coming to market for women, which we expect CityLabs or the Alderley Edge site, but we to be a big growth area for the next four to wanted to be in the city centre for transport five years.” links, because we travel a lot nationally and Another key benefit of their Manchester internationally, but one of the things we location is the industry support infrastructure needed to develop a strong business was the they’re benefitting from. “We’ve spent time ability to recruit good candidates. working with chambers of commerce, the “Most of our team are either from the Growth Hub, MIDAS and DIT, who all helped nearby university systems – Manchester, to accelerate our growth into international bqlive.co.uk 23

markets faster than we would have had 65% of our revenue comes from Europe just develop brand new innovations, where there’s elsewhere.” now.” not even a competitor in the marketplace yet. But even with that support, there’s a limit Their major clients are the genetics labs “We’ve also had two Eurostars grants, for to how much the firm can protect their key within either nationalised or privatised several million pounds split across the UK and products. “It’s extremely difficult to protect hospitals, and they estimate around 500 our partners in the Netherlands, in brand new our intellectual property. All our products are customers use their products. “We have diagnostic areas.” Part of the risk of a company protected by know-how, and there are two accelerated relatively quickly. Last year, and like this is that their larger competitors have other firms internationally who use a similar the year before, we focussed on growing the millions of pounds available to spend on technique who don’t do it quite as well, but network whilst we grew our product portfolio products that might not go anywhere. “As a because it’s based on technical know-how it’s invisibly in the background, but we’ve been start-up,” Mark points out, “it wasn’t going to not patentable. We do work in highly regulated growing our market with existing products. be possible for us to fund projects like that industries around life science technology, and “It’s allowed us to establish the Elucigene initially. These grants and tax breaks allow us to it’s been the cause of the demise of some of brand as a name to those labs. We’re in the work on more high-risk projects, where there’s our competitors. situation now where we have such good either a strong academic component at the “From a business development point of relationships with them that they have become start of the project, or the project is likely to view, we’ve looked at 12-15 different brand- product development partners in a lot of cases change as it goes on, so it de-risks it for us as a new products to bring to market in the next – making our lives simpler overall.” manufacturer.” three years, and of those, four projects were And they spend a lot of time in-market; On the back of a huge 2017, where the halted purely because of the risk of infringing with the customers themselves, or with the company grew to turn over £3.6m, 2018 is someone else’s IP. It’s an increasing problem key distribution partners. “A lot of time it’s not about getting another six products out to for small industry, and to some extent large about current products, but about answering market internationally. “The big thing for us is industry.” unanswered questions. What will they need taking the business from being able to operate Elucigene are clear on their Brexit position; over the next five or six years to improve in Europe, Canada, and Australia as the strong they would have preferred to have stayed in diagnostics?” markets, and adding North and South America Europe: “The current trade agreements really The government’s R&D tax credit scheme is and the pan-Asian markets. help us as a business,” he says. “We’ll be looking something that’s made a significant difference “The focus is on not just developing a US to get the best possible deals, and if the worst to Elucigene’s ability to innovate. “Last year, partnership, but also on preparing the business happens, we’ll have to set up a base in Europe we claimed £200,000, and this year it’s likely to to be FDA compliant. It’s the gold standard and to support our European distribution. About be closer to £250,000, which is being used to if we can achieve that, it’s a game changer.” n 24 Partner Innovate UK: the UK’s innovation agency

Innovate UK, which help businesses overcome obstacles to developing ideas, and technologies, sees potential for Greater Manchester to be even more active in innovation, writes Rick Holland

S ince 2007, Innovate UK has been driving innovate grow faster and export more than competitions, we also help companies by UK productivity and economic growth by those that do not innovate. We also know connecting them to the partners they need supporting businesses of all sizes to realise the that innovation accounts for between 25-50% to innovate, whether they are researchers, potential of new technologies, develop ideas of productivity gains, and firms that innovate suppliers, customers, or collaborators. This and make them a commercial success. We are are more productive than their competitors. is primarily through our two business facing government funded, but business focused, Innovation is really important for improving networks, who are both active within GM and business led. the economy of GM and the wider region. – the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) We have helped businesses overcome some The impact of our work is backed up by (www.ktn-uk.co.uk) and the Enterprise Europe of the most significant barriers to innovation, independent research. A recent study by the Network (EEN) (www.enterprise-europe.co.uk) from lack of finance to access to markets. Enterprise Research Council – ‘Assessing the which has a team at the heart of Manchester Our grant funding helps to de-risk innovation business performance effects of engagement in the Growth Company. The KTN and projects sufficiently to bring in private sector with publicly-funded science’ – showed that, the EEN can help businesses find the right investors. It also enables closer collaborations across all our grant recipients, employment expertise, facilities, financiers and influencers within supply chains, between sectors and, grew by 6% in the short-term and 23% in the that can help bring their ideas to market. critically, between businesses and the research longer-term (after six years), turnover grew by We have also established the world-class base. Without the incentives and support of 6% in the short term, and 28% in the longer Catapult network (www.catapult.org.uk), the government many of these collaborations term, productivity grew by 6% in the longer which ensures UK businesses have access to would never get off the ground. term and an estimated 150,000 new jobs state-of-the-art facilities wherever they are in Since 2007, we’ve invested around £2.2bn were created, many in highly-skilled sectors the UK. They provide a perfect environment in businesses right across the country, such as biotechnology, medical equipment, for university and business collaboration. matched by £1.6bn from those businesses. engineering, life sciences and high-tech Within the region this Catapult network We’ve helped more than 8,000 organisations manufacturing. can be accessed via: nationwide, including over 220 businesses in Innovate UK currently runs funding Greater Manchester. competitions across four broad sectors: • The Medicines Discovery Catapult, at Our investments into GM businesses total health and life sciences; manufacturing and Alderley Park almost £5m each year. This is significant, as materials; emerging and enabling technologies; this investment has helped to grow some and infrastructure systems; as well as a fifth • The Digital Catapult, which partners with great businesses who add high-value jobs to open category for projects regardless of their Sensor City Liverpool and the Science and the city region. technology or sector. Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree We also believe Greater Manchester is In addition to the funding from these Centre through the IOT UK Boost programm capable of more; for although GM has 3% of all the UK businesses it has received only 2% of our innovation investments. So we “It is critical for the UK to develop industries that are want more GM businesses to submit funding applications to us, and we want the submitted fit for the future, driving progress in technologies applications to be of better quality. “ where we can become a world-leader and GM businesses have a lot to gain from being more innovative. Businesses that commercialisation.” Partner 25

• The Centre for Process Innovation, which has a presence on Sci-Tech Daresbury

• The Manufacturing Technology Centre research area at Liverpool John Moores University

• The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s partnership with Cammell Laird on Wirral Waters

We are also developing new ways to finance innovation, including innovation loans (with a £50m pilot programme from April 2018) and engaging with the Venture Capitalist community to provide the match funding for small businesses undertaking early stage feasibility projects. (www.gov.uk/government/ news/accelerating-innovation-with-public- and-private-investment-apply) Looking forward, innovation has an increasingly vital role to play as the government continues to develop its Industrial Strategy. To support this ambition, the government has committed an extra £4.7 bn over the next four years. We are transforming existing industries and helping to create completely new ones through the new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), delivered by Innovate UK and our colleagues in the UK’s Research Councils. The ISCF aims to tackle the biggest societal challenges and technology opportunities facing the UK such as efficient medicines manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) and better batteries for electric vehicles. It is critical for the UK to develop industries that are fit for the future, driving progress in technologies where we can become a world- leader in their research and commercialisation. This significant commitment and confidence from the government enables Innovate UK to identify opportunities across our economy so that we can support businesses to grow, create more highly-skilled jobs and spread the benefits of our economic success right across the country. We’re here to help innovative businesses in Greater Manchester to take the next step. n

0300 321 4357 www.gov.uk/innovateuk Twitter: @innovateuk @RickInnovate LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/293302/ 26 Partner

Industry focused, research informed The University of Salford’s Industry Collaboration with industry, it’s about that model of co- creating and co-developing so that in terms of Strategy is leading the way in real world experiences, being innovative, those partnerships are a big solving business problems and preparing students for part of driving what we do.” “The term ‘industry’ is very generic,” chimes life in the workplace. Suzy Jackson finds out why the in Mike. Now director of the engineering and environments industrial collaboration zone, university is going the extra mile. he was formerly the director of mainstream engineering global academic programmes at Siemens. “Most people attribute that word to A team of experts in university-industry partnerships with industry. manufacturing, but it’s the marketing industry, partnerships has been brought in by the “Salford’s heritage is very much in that space; the medical industry, the media industry… University of Salford, to drive a central strategy we’re an institute born of the first industrial so the term industry collaboration and on Industry Collaboration Zones, increasing the revolution. Our focus and approach today partnerships addresses all aspects of industry. impact of research and innovation and helping ensures what we do is as well connected with “Before Salford became a university, we graduates into work. industry as it possibly could be. were delivering the ‘sandwich course’ 70 years Professor David Spicer is the Dean of Salford “There are some obvious benefits’ from a ago, that had both academic and industrial Business School, and Mike Brown is one of student perspective, they get programmes of experience built into it. That has significant those recently recruited experts. study which are practical, applied, and relevant benefits for the students and the employers “As a university,” David begins, “we have that are linked to careers in a meaningful way, that we work with – students have work- a single strategic priority around industry where we’re building the skills base that they ready experience, so that when they graduate collaboration, and in terms of driving our need to succeed. they have more than just a pure academic agenda forward, we’re building exceptional “But also, from a partnership perspective background; they have knowledge of, and Partner 27

experience in, the fields of careers they might did a commission piece for the RHS where they the ACME engineering company who want to want to go into.” got proper, hands-on experience. We’re trying develop a new anvil to drop on Road Runner, it’s Now, the University of Salford is focussed to offer that for each course.” a real company, with a real challenge, and the on working with organisations that want to “In the business school,” David adds, “we students are presenting to a real organisation. develop a mutually-beneficial partnership. “For have HR students working with Salford City “I was at a computing event where a bunch example,” Mike says, “we’re looking to work with Council, on some of the workforce challenges of students had done some programming for an organisation in the North West who’s looking they have and feeding advice into that; we’ve businesses; one was from Holland, and had to build a new garden, the Royal Horticultural got students on our digital business and digital flown over to hear their presentations. Some Society (RHS). We have a very good relationship marketing programmes working in a range of students hadn’t quite got it, but others had with them; we understand their goals for digital businesses and marketing firms locally really risen to the challenge and the firms what’s going to be one of the country’s best on a live project brief, working on real business thought it was brilliant. And it helps those horticultural gardens, and we’re working with challenges.” companies build a strong pipeline of talent,” them to understand what their needs are, now There are a lot of preconceptions in industry Mike adds. and in the future.” about how it is to work with university They also offer the opportunity for students The partnership sees the RHS provide students, with businesses afraid they’ll be to do a short internship, rather than a formal students with live briefs, on anything from expected to ‘babysit’ the young people who dissertation as part of their studies. “Instead of performance art pieces, to full multimedia join their teams. But that’s far from the case, going to the library and writing another book research projects. “They’re working on a Mike says. “When we start to describe the review,” David says, “they go and spend time in memories project – people in the community structured approach we’re taking, where they’re a business, working on a challenge that business are talking about what their memories are getting support from the university, and that has identified. of this old garden, and students are doing they’re prepared and they’re adding value to “That’s an extended interview process for everything from writing, through to broadcast the organisation, we’re finding that people are students, whether it’s in that organisation or media where they’ll be filming and editing.” willing to test it.” not. But to make that work, we must be more Students regularly have the opportunity And after they’ve done one live brief, many innovative and flexible with our business model, to work on real-life projects for a real-life progress to pursue other projects. “We’re trying moving out of the traditional university model customer, who will be critical of their work, and to go ‘beyond the Power Point’ – so instead of of starting in September and finishing in May. expecting them to fulfil commercial deadlines the marketing pitch where we say we work with The demand is year-round, so every quarter we and work to set quality standards. But that gives industry, we’re trying to do it and demonstrate have a new batch of students coming through, them so much when it comes to their careers the value-add, from larger organisations and we’re brokering in the industry partners and employability. down to very small companies, so that these we’re working with to line them up for those “If we have a student who’s been responsible organisations think – well, I can work with the projects and opportunities.” for filming and editing,” Mike says. “When University of Salford, they listen to what we Unlike some other notable universities, the they go for an interview for a job, rather than want. “ University of Salford has taken the decision to saying they did some projects where they put They’re trying to integrate some of their be informed by research, rather than focussed together a theoretical piece, they can say they experiences into the curriculum – so it’s not on it. “We do some phenomenal research 28 Partner

“We need to operate outside of the normal bounds of the “ traditional academic model and make that relationship much easier as a consequence.”

here,” Mike points out, “but we’re research informed, industry focussed. So, we want to make sure everything we do is relevant to industry. “We’ve proven this works with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. Most people think firefighters will get heat exhaustion, but the people who get the most heat exhaustion are actually the trainers. They’re working with the trainees, three or four times a day and getting more exposed than those who fight real fires. Our students are getting involved in projects to combat this, and it’s posing real value not just to those who get involved, but also to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.” David feels it’s about being innovative and entrepreneurial Siemens staff learn at Salford in their approach, as well. “We need to operate outside of the normal bounds of the traditional academic model and make that relationship much easier as a consequence. The constraints A group of engineers from Siemens are studying on a specially of university no longer apply, so if we’re talking to an industry designed University of Salford course aimed at tackling critical skills partner and they want a project doing in a particular timescale, shortages. we make that happen – it may sound trite, but from a university Designed in a partnership with Siemens to meet a growing skills perspective, that’s a big shift in mindset.” gap in industry, the BEng (Hons) Control and Automation degree And when it comes to innovative businesses, and innovative has a flexible delivery model to suit industry needs and minimise solutions, the students are uniquely placed to offer a fresh time off the job. It includes content developed and delivered by perspective. “We invest quite heavily in supporting that mindset Siemens, as well as expertise and knowledge provided by Salford in our students, so a lot of those projects are challenge projects. academics. They don’t have any received wisdom – they don’t say ‘it won’t The course is being run as a pilot, but can be offered as an work because it didn’t work last time’ or ‘that’s not how we do apprenticeship to businesses across the sector and funded through things around here’.” the Apprenticeship Levy. On his move in to the university from Siemens, Mike thinks Jason Phin, training solutions business manager at Siemens DF that they’re somewhat guilty of hiding their light under a bushel PD, based in Didsbury, South Manchester said: “We have looked at where their facilities are concerned. Specifically, he cites their ways in which our apprentices can study through to degree level ‘energy house’ – “We have a house built inside a building, and we whilst also combining the academic content with industry relevant can subject that house to different climates, testing everything qualifications. from under floor heating, smart home technology. That facility is “This course should provide key skills beneficial to industry and unique, globally. Students see that, and their minds start firing.” mean that engineering teams from Siemens, our customers and And their acoustic laboratory: “We’re recognised globally as a suppliers can add more value to their business. It’s great that the leading lab for noise vibration and harshness. And students see course has been tailored to exactly suit what we, and hopefully industry collaborating with us, and again, their minds start firing. other engineers are looking for.” “It’s core to what we do at the university.” Jayne Parker, field service engineer at Siemens in Manchester, is Very proud of their position in Salford, and Salford as a region part of the first cohort. She said: “I’m always keen to update my as it goes through a massive renaissance, they say that you skills and move my career forward so this is a great chance to do wouldn’t recognise it from ten years ago – just over the river just that. I’m looking forward to getting started.” from central Manchester, it’s one of the greenest campuses in Dr Sam Grogan, pro vice-chancellor student experience at the the UK. University of Salford, said: “This is a key part of the strategy for the “We want to be working with innovative businesses,” David University of Salford going forward. We want to work closely with states. “We have a model which we know works, is very flexible businesses to co-develop courses that work to specifically target and responsive, and can add value for us and our students, and the needs of industry. for the partners we’re working with. “It’s quite a novel approach to work so closely with an industry And Mike concludes: “What we want industry to realise is that partner to develop the actual content of a course and this is a great we want to build a mutually beneficial partnership, no matter example of an innovative learning model developed through our what they’re looking for – we’re flexible, agile, and keen to work Industrial Collaboration Zone project.” with you!” n Partner 29

SALFORD BUSINESS SCHOOL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY We develop graduates who mean business.

Find out more about our business-informed, industry-relevant Business, Finance and Law programmes www.salford.ac.uk/business-school +44 (0)161 295 2222 [email protected]

BECOME UNSTOPPABLE

Untitled-3 1 1/25/18 2:35 PM 30 Innovation100

Informed Solutions is an Altrincham- Innova Health helps patients with long- headquartered independent provider of large term health issues to better manage their Kast Energy aims to put innovation at the scale digital transformation, advanced data medication and learn about their condition, heart of everything it does as a business, analytics and systems integration solutions. improving their wellbeing and quality of something which has been fundamental The firm has a track record of delivering life. The company’s aim is to use artificial to its success to date. The firm provides ground breaking solutions and achieving intelligence to identify patients needing extra energy saving technology to its client base, digital firsts. This includes revolutionising support from remote care providers, so that helping them benefit from the latest market travel and assets management by being the they can receive care as they need, it in the innovations to enable them to operate as a first company to put maps and location- comfort of their own homes. competitive business. based services on mobile devices. www.informed.com www.innovadigitalhealth.com www.kast-energy.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 9422000 +44 7814 920426 0161 427 9047

The 100.indd 41 30/01/2018The 13:59100.indd 41 07/02/2018The 100.indd16:53 42 25/01/2018 14:39

Keasdon Energy developed and produces SmartSwitch, an automatic tariff-switching Keto Software has created a software The Libralato SMART engine is an historic software which allows UK consumers to platform for innovation that is helping to breakthrough in engine design and an pay the absolute minimum for their energy revolutionise project portfolio management enabling technology for affordable plug-in usage. SmartSwitch calculates an individual in large organisations such as Tata Steel, Boots hybrid electric vehicles. Lower cost than a EnergyPrint for your home and allows you to and HMRC. Founded by three engineers diesel engine, the PHEV system can deliver continually monitor the money you might in 2003, Keto is a user-friendly innovation a balance of 50% EV and 50% ICE driving, be saving by switching to another energy management platform to help companies reducing fuelling costs by 60% and CO2 by supplier and tariff. increase their return on innovation (ROI). 55%.

www.keasdon.co.uk www.ketosoftware.com www.libralato.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07845 026967 07957 377805 07927 317805

The 100.indd 43 25/01/2018The 100.indd16:22 44 26/01/2018The 100.indd10:26 45 26/01/2018 09:08

The Link App

LIG Nanowise uses its patented super- A company with sustainability at its heart, Created for lawyers, by lawyers, The Link App resolution microsphere amplifying lens to Leigh-based specialist lighting retailer The has been specifically designed to help law firms make optical microscopes. This innovation Light Yard takes a unique, innovative approach improve client communication while gaining a allows the company to build the most to doing business. Collaborating with British competitive advantage. It is now possible to artisan lighting designers who engage in ethical powerful bright-field microscope on the conduct all forms of communication with a manufacturing, The Light Yard specialises in market – the NANOPSIS M. click of a button. environmentally responsible designs that are the game changers of the lighting industry.

www.lig-nanowise.com www.thelightyard.com www.thelinkapp.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07949 963116 0330 223 3940 07983 794080

The 100.indd 47 07/02/2018The 100.indd16:54 46 26/01/2018The 100.indd10:27 48 07/02/2018 16:54 bqlive.co.uk 31

Malinko’s intelligent caseload scheduling Miranex saves time and money for architects, Mapway is a leading mobile app development eliminates unwarranted variation, enabling engineering and construction companies by company that specialises in maps and NHS Community Services improve hosting CAD and BIM (Building Information navigation apps across 24 of the busiest productivity, service delivery and patient Modelling) remote desktops in the Cloud. cities in the world. Each app helps to plan outcomes. Linking together patient demand This innovative service delivers high journeys, check travel information, and avoid and staff rostering information, it gives a single performance to engineers in remote locations delays, making public transport simple and view to efficiently and effectively manage the over mobile 4G, which in turn improves stress-free. service and distributed workforce, resulting in communication to site, reduces errors and huge administrative and travel time savings. saves money. www.malinkoapp.com/health www.mapway.com www.miranex.com/bim [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 850 0111 01625 526 644 0844 502 2250

The 100.indd 49 07/02/2018The 16:55100.indd 50 26/01/2018The 10:28100.indd 51 07/02/2018 16:56

Tom Atkinson set up his business after Shift work app, MyShiftPlanner, aims to We design and manufacture beautiful wood finishing a mathematics degree at MMU. change the lives of shift workers around fl oors in new and reclaimed wood. 70% of our He has developed an ePayment system the world by providing tools that help products sold is new engineered European oak designed to save students and universities connect families, save relationships, support and 30% is reclaimed pine or oak. We believe that nature is untameable and that the wild money simultaneously, while also benefiting wellbeing and build strong, engaged teams. spirit of wood should refl ect its origins of local businesses. Tom says he has found an The tool works through the innovative use time and variation without the constraints of innovative way to use a captive audience of a technology everyone has with them excessive manufacturing. while benefiting all parties involved. every day. www.moolastudentbanking.com www.myshiftplanner.co.uk www.reclaimedflooringco.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07340 666175 07904 193726 0207 250 1108

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Nivo is a secure instant messaging platform Nothing But Epic is a digital agency focused Now Healthcare Group is the largest digital that allows service providers to offer a full on delivering ROI to its clients. Since being health company in Europe and is transforming range of customer service, KYC on-boarding formed by co-founders Craig Tomkins and the healthcare of the nation through its bespoke apps, which provide GP services and and product opening much more easily, safely Mike Anderson in 2015, it has won awards, and cost-effectively than any other channel. medication to upwards of 20 million people. grown to a team of 10 and won national Built for Barclays, Nivo is free to join with no Innovation and people are at the heart of the clients. The team deliver transformative technical installation effort required. business, and it was one of the fi rst digital workshops with the business growth hub. GP services to pass inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). www.nivohub.com www.nothingbutepic.com www.nowhealthcaregroup.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07742 109121 +44 7792 587685 07548 227467

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Openshadow is a research and development OneFile is the UK’s leading eportfolio for mobile software and web agency, partnering Ostereo are a newly-founded record label learning and development, and winner of the with global companies to develop new based in Media City, Manchester. Our expert 2017 Queen’s Award for Innovation. OneFile technologies in fields like realtime video, 3D A&R team have hand-picked a unique, brings people together, promotes learning and image processing, low-level applications international roster of over 25 artists, spanning everything from Commercial EDM and gives people the tools they need to including Bluetooth communications. to Coffee-Shop Acoustic. Ostereo is breaking shape their own future. Openshadow works alongside companies such as Louis Vuitton, and L’Oréal building the next traditional music industry models by placing generation of digital applications. special emphasis on driving artist growth and success through tech and online strategy. www.onefile.co.uk www.openshadow.com www.ostereo.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 638 3876 07701 031393 0161 686 5567

The 100.indd 59 25/01/2018The 11:26100.indd 60 30/01/2018The 100.indd14:43 60 26/01/2018 10:35

Padoq is a community focused network Pennine Manufacturing is a Bolton-based With 50 million people suffering from platform launching in Q2 2018, founded by plastics manufacturer specialising in producing Alzheimer’s disease worldwide, it is more the team behind award winning Manchester a variety of building products by injection important than ever that we find new based digital agency Nothing But Epic. The moulding. The company has more than 35 treatments. Pharmakure’s innovative strategy platform focuses on delivering an effective years of experience as a manufacturer and is to repurpose common drugs which are solution for organisers to better engage with is currently working on a new line of roofing known to be safe thereby fast-tracking and manage their communities. products, including verges, slates, tiles and Alzheimer’s drug development. The company battens, and a range of manhole lids. has three drugs for ready for human trials.

www. padoq.com www.pennineindustries.com www. pharmakure.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0124 361547 07950 847647

The 100.indd 61 26/01/2018The 10:37100.indd 63 30/01/2018The 100.indd09:32 63 07/02/2018 16:57 Plastic Keg Co.

We are a CAD Engineering company that As the name suggests, the firm created a Platform d-Risk offers a clear methodology specialise in foundry tooling and prototyping plastic alternative to the metal kegs used to and structure to managing and completing design. Our innovative tooling designs pro- store beverages. Reusable, and therefore eco- energy efficiency installations and more. duce a range of products from the advanced Providing end to end services including real friendly, the plastic keg is a multi trip keg, costs engineered F1 cars that are in the top grid time data analysis with a full and complete 70% less than steel and has no theft value – positions to the prototypes that will make management vehicle driving customer lighter in weight – bespoke branding and RFID the next disruptive technology in its field. traceability in the supply chain. protection and cost efficiencies whilst delivering the highest industry standards and best practices.

[email protected] www.d-risk.net www.ptdltd.co.uk 0161 464 8579 [email protected] 0161 915 4129 0161 438 1174

The 100.indd 65 30/01/2018The 08:53100.indd 66 30/01/2018The 100.indd12:28 67 30/01/2018 14:56 bqlive.co.uk 33

Qbots aims to accelerate renewable energy Radic8 is an independent air purification Real Junk Food Manchester is the city’s first adoption while lowering the costs of company with a strong belief that everybody waste food pay-as-you-feel restaurant. The energy to businesses, through smart energy has the right to clean air. Radic8’s team are menu changes every day, using 100% food management utilising energy storage systems passionate about innovating and distributing that would otherwise go to waste, sourced and batteries from Electric Vehicles. Q-PLUS from a range of food businesses. There the very best technology in their field and system uses artificial intelligence based is no set price to pay and instead customers their mission is to provide the world’s most control algorithms with IoT technologies what they feel the meal is worth, or however for optimising energy usage on-site, while efficient and cost-effective solution to much they would like to give to support the creating a localised efficient energy network. airborne pathogens and air pollution. project. www.qbots.ai www.radic8.com www.realjunkfoodmanchester.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07736 938481 +44 (0)1204 238823 07912 509665

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ResponseTap is a pioneer of visitor level Rotite Technologies is an industrial Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle call tracking. Heralding many industry firsts, technology business that designs and believe that people can be each other’s including integration into Google AdWords develops advanced fastening solutions. The solution. It is a membership organisation open and Google Analytics, the business continues Rotite system is simple, strong and adaptable to anyone over 50, supporting individuals to grow with innovation at its core. Now, with and is applicable to all industries. Offered and communities to lead their lives the way 80 staff members and offices in Manchester in a range of materials including composites they want. Working borough wide across and New York, ResponseTap processes and metals, Rotite is a future-facing solution. Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and the billions of web visits and phone calls every Rotite solutions are time-saving, space saving, Pennine Villages. year. weight saving, and cost saving. www.responsetap.com www.hmrcircle.org.uk www.rotite.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 08000 774444 +44 1706 751165 (+44) 161 885 7100

The 100.indd 70 25/01/2018The 14:33 100.indd 71 26/01/2018The 11:47100.indd 72 25/01/2018 14:20

Salt Separation Services provides engineered Safety Med Ltd manufactures and supplies The School of Military are all ex-military water treatment solutions to a worldwide stainless steel operating theatre equipment personnel, who use the same military ethos market. Established in 1990, Salt Separation and accessories, and is a specialist supplier taught to them to develop young people. Services is a privately owned company with of electrical product solutions for theatres Whether working in schools or mentoring BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assurance disengaged pupils and helping them get back and wards. Offering a wide range of hospital accreditation. Since its beginning, the company into education, our staff are dedicated and theatre equipment, the company also has gained a reputation for manufacturing high committed to helping students reach their full supplies a range of hospital equipment for quality equipment with excellent spares and 24 potential. use in the general wards. hour technical support. www.safetymedical.co.uk www.saltsep.co.uk www.theschoolofmilitary.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 477 3163 01706 655522 01942 386620

The 100.indd 74 26/01/2018The 10:53100.indd 76 29/01/2018 16:17 34 Innovation100 Feature

Heart-quartered in Manchester For HMG Paints, innovation is everything, as John Falder explains to Suzy Jackson bqlive.co.uk 35

FACTS AND STATS

On my wall,” begins John Falder, “there’s a certificate of 3,000,000+ incorporation for this company: 4th October 1930. “It’s a bit old, and a bit faded, and a bit yellowed, but it’s quite an litres of paint important thing because it equals the people in the business. It’s not some legal definition; it’s the people. produced per year HMG Paints are the UK’s largest independent paint manufacturer; a manufacturer of surface coatings with over 80 years’ experience of creating innovative and market leading products, all backed up with outstanding technical support “Surface coatings are the greatest seen man-made object,” John 200,000+ proclaims, and I have to stop and think about that for a while… what colours in does that mean? “Look in any direction,” he replies, “and tell me what you see? Look at the ceiling; those tiles are painted. Light tubes, they’re colour library coated inside and outside. The walls are painted. The carpet and the furniture; the black leather chair you’re sat on…?” Well, it didn’t come off a black cow! “We’re involved in what everything looks like, what it feels like, and what it appears to be.” They’re an innovative business, as they operate in niche surface coatings areas – protecting, performing, and decorating. “We’re based in Manchester because the people of HMG are based in Manchester, and live locally, and so our heart-and-headquarters is Manchester. We can’t be anywhere different!” “We’ve always been involved in surface coatings; that’s bigger 2,000,000 miles travelled than paint,” he says. Surface coatings do include paints, alongside for deliveries each year drying oils and varnishes, synthetic clear coatings, and other products whose primary function is to protect the surface of an object from the environment – and in doing so, often enhances its appearance, and can offer texture. “If someone got you an expensive scarf for Christmas that feels fabulously soft, and you run it through the washing machine and it comes out feeling like a crisp packet… that’s all part of this industry.” John describes innovation as ‘everything’. “Nothing stays the same,” he says, “and that’s the key to innovation. It’s a permanent sense of dissatisfaction with the way that things are, and a quest to find a way to make them better.” “Practically, at its most fundamental, innovation is a way of being; a 40% of staff are related to way of thinking. And it’s a way of looking at everything you do, whether it’s a product, a system, a process, and looking at it from a slightly odd another employee standpoint. Not ‘how clever are we?’, but the opposite: how can we substantially improve, develop, change, alter what we do and the way we 60 second generation families operate? “Innovation is a way of life, really.” work at HMG There are massive changes afoot within the coatings world; they cite the tremendous range of opportunities for environmentally sustainable products. HMG already has a portfolio of waterborne and solvent free 13 third or even fourth products, but that doesn’t mean there’s not still a lot to do. generation families work at “We are undertaking the formulation and manufacture of a range of revolutionary waterborne colourants. These colourants are solvent HMG 36 Innovation100 Feature

free, extraordinarily safe to the level that they can be used in toy paints, craft paints as well as decorative materials. Existing products supplied into the sector are based on materials that are harmful to the environment. Our new products under development are easy to use, totally environmentally sustainable, VOC free, don’t contain any resin, with outstanding compatibility across a massive portfolio of products.” There’s a myriad of examples within HMG Paints, and the industry overall. John continues with an example: We’re involved in a lot of automotive colour styling. That work, you might think, would involve colour – but we make blue paint without any blue pigment. We make green paint without any green pigment. We’re using interference pigments and interference layers, creating the same effect as a butterfly’s wing, to create totally unique styling

“This is innovation trying to solve Looking at pretty colours… problems before they even arise.” Aston Martin Racing Team – the high-performance motorsport “ coating was recreated in the iconic green shade. situations for automotive and the future of objects that don’t Euro Disney – when it first opened in the 1990s, those bold exist yet.” pastel colours were supplied by HMG, who worked around the That’s impressive, of course, but it does beg the question… clock to get ready for opening. why? “It doesn’t matter that it doesn’t have any blue in it; that’s a Alien – the coating for a Xenomorph head was supplied by by-product,” John says. “It makes it very interesting, doesn’t it?” A HMG, even though the material the head was formed from was by-product is an interesting way of referring to it; but essentially, described as ‘unusual’… this is innovation trying to solve problems before they even arise. “It’s associated with innovative colours and designs that have Wallace and Gromit – long-term suppliers to Aardman never been possible before; a range of colours and effects that Animations, they most recently worked on a feature length project haven’t been possible before. It has applications in cosmetics, about pirates. in security devices – anti tamper – in automotive, and general colour styling.” It’s the transformative effect of colours, designs and finishes than haven’t been achievable before. “With a lot of the automotive colour styling work, we are our customer’s ‘best kept secret’ because we work with them entirely confidentially – but that’s a good thing! What they want to do is innovate to stay ahead; to create the most desirable things so you and I spend money on them!” HMG Paints is a local business, Manchester born and bred. “Manchester is our home. We have been here since our inception Manchester Central Library – more than 6,000 litres of paint in 1930, and we employ locally. We sit at the heart of our local went in to its refurbishment. community.” With some 200 staff, they also have depots in Andover and Red telephone boxes – now being repurposed to house London, and a small joint venture in central Southern India, defibrillators, HMG have worked to duplicate the iconic phone box and many other relationships across the globe. “It’s a very small colour for these refurbishments. planet,” he says, though he wasn’t such a huge fan of the 15-hour flight he had to take to Argentina for work purposes quite The world’s most famous locomotive, the Flying Scotsman, is recently back on track in its iconic British Rail green livery, recreated by the HMG’s manufacturing facility in Collyhurst is built on the colour matchers at HMG Paints. original 1773 site of Little Greene Dye Works. This factory was one of the country’s most ancient coatings manufacturing sites, HMG introduces a Manchester decorative colour producing coloured paints and dye solutions for domestic and collection designed in collaboration with Macmillan Manchester. industrial use. And the name now lives on: “A number of years Manchester’s colourful history is the inspiration, but they’ve also ago I was the co-founder of the Little Greene Paint Company, recreated the iconic Macmillan Green. and we now own the Paint and Paper Library too. Little Greene bqlive.co.uk 37

is also about innovation; a combination of the per week/per year. That means the oldies are achieve that stretching goal, it’s important traditional, and the knowledge of what looks teaching the youngies!” that they invest. And they do. “We make right, but with a more modern twist on it. And that is of itself unusual, but it breaks the huge investment relative to our size each Primarily HMG is industrial, whereas spin-offs perception that young people innovate more. year to create a better future. The future of like Little Greene are decorative. “We have “It’s all of the lessons of history combined our business is dependent on our innovation around 200 people here at HMG, and we have with all of the technological knowledge, and and training, and creating products that our many generations of families in the business. enthusiasm of youth. It’s not age-barred, not customers see as most appropriate to ensure We have some 60 sets of people who are age-limited; it’s only limited by imagination.” the future success. related to one another, and 14 families who are And the family business connection applies “We have great customers, and it’s being third generation employees of the business.” to John, too. “There are quite a number of able to work with those customers in terms of John has been involved in the business other family members involved in the business. posing great questions about what innovation is for approximately 62 years, he says, aged… My son, and my niece, and to a lesser extent needed. It’s our customers, its ourselves, it’s our approximately 62. Now managing director, my younger brother. He’s the secretary general suppliers – and it’s our people. his official start date with the firm was at of a paint organisation called NOVA,” he says. “We foster a culture of innovation largely the tender age of 6, and whilst he points out NOVA Paint Club is a global collaboration of through huge levels of communication, you couldn’t get away with such now, he’s speciality paints and coatings businesses. particularly informal communication. We always very proud of the work they do with a local The 12 member companies have a combined want to see a better way of doing everything Academy, allowing them to bring 14- and turnover of more than US $4.5bn, employing we do. We want to make better products, we 15-year-olds into the business – exceptionally more than 13,000 employees across 73 want to make better solutions to problems, we difficult though it may be. “We have big links manufacturing sites worldwide. want to make life simpler and better for our with our local schools and colleges,” he says, “Our objective has always been to make customers, we want to make products that last and with a multi-generational workforce that is the next generation 10-15 years better than we longer, we want to make product that is easier part of what makes everything work so well. were at the same age. They know more than we to use. It’s in our DNA! “We’re absolutely hypermodern or positively do, they’re better equipped than we were, so “We are genuinely blessed as a business – by prehistoric,” he says, “in that people start their hopefully the younger people in the business our company, our people, our customers and careers here but never leave! Our average have all the advantages they need to create our suppliers. So, we’re in a good place, and length of service is just over 15 years. People the greatest paint company the world has ever that good place will allow the next generation also don’t generally retire in a conventional known.” and the one after them to continue to improve sense, they ‘evolve out’ by working less days To do that, to developing those staff to upon where we are today.” n 38 Partner

Partner Good ideas need Feat 03 pr tection

Dehns are experts at making sure intellectual property and a lot of energy; but these things can be very commercially valuable,” Sam says, and is secured, as Sam Dewhurst tells BQ’s Suzy Jackson “businesses will fight with fortitude for what they believe to be right. Certain clients might have one or two patents that are very valuable and they’ll fight tooth and nail to protect Dehns Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys work across the entire range of technology; them.” Not surprising when IP can be one of a have been securing and protecting Intellectual we have people who specialise in engineering business’s most valuable assets, although this is Property (IP) rights since 1920. “We’re now one technologies, in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, often not appreciated until it is too late. of the biggest firms in Europe, with more than and in bio-tech amongst others; more than Dehns Manchester office opened in 2015, 200 people across seven offices,” says Sam 40% of our attorneys have PhDs in these areas” with a small office in Manchester Business Park Dewhurst, head of the Manchester office. “We Sam says. right by the airport, home to just Sam for a provide and implement strategic advice on a Filing more than 5,750 UK, European while. “When we first opened it was just me. wide range of IP issues, to help keep our clients and International patent and trade mark It was April 2017 when we moved to the city ideas safe and maximise their potential.” applications each year, Dehns specialise in centre. We’ve grown steadily, and still have a “Our head office is in London, founded innovation – as you’d expect from a firm growing team.” there almost 100 years ago,” he continues. “We of their nature. In 2016 the firm filed the Why Manchester? Sam explains that the have staff in London, Brighton, Oxford and joint highest number of European Patent history and heritage of the firm: “We’re a Cambridge, and because the European Patent applications among all European Patent southern-centric business, historically, with Office is in Munich we’ve had an office there Attorney firms. London, Brighton and Oxford our main centres, since 1979. Due to increasing levels of business The European Patent Office in Munich but there was a big chunk of the country that in Manchester and the North West, we recently supports innovation, competitiveness we thought we could serve more effectively. moved from our original Manchester office to and economic growth across Europe by “Manchester is booming, it’s growing all larger and more central premises. “ delivering services under the European Patent the time and is viewed as the “Powerhouse Top tier ranked by all leading IP and Convention. At its core is the search and of the North”. There’s a staggering amount of legal directories, clients range from large, examination of patent applications and the innovation here, with reports showing it’s one multinational corporations to small and grant of European patents. They also house the of the most innovative places in the country medium sized businesses and from universities, Boards of Appeal, who oversee around 2,500 which is helping to generate substantial inward spin-outs and start-ups to private inventors. appeals each year. investment. This is perfectly aligned with our “We advise on all the commercial IP issues Dehns ‘combination of experience and business growth strategy.” that can be central for many businesses,” Sam commercial awareness enables them to And he’s right, of course. Manchester has says, citing that these are issues that can affect offer advice in the fields of patents, trade been named as the third most active tech city a wide range of people and organisations. “We marks and designs. “It can take a lot of time, in the UK, according to the UK Tech Innovation Partner 39

Partner Feat 03 40 Partner

“There’s a staggering amount of innovation here, with reports showing it’s one of the most innovative places in the country which is helping to generate substantial inward Dehns is delighted to “ investment.” support Innovation 100 Greater Manchester

Dehns is a leading European firm of specialist patent and trade mark Index. Manchester also ranked highly for “I was always interested in science and businesses with their IP” Sam says attorneys, with more than 200 people across seven offices, and with creative industries, innovation, and Artificial technology, but when I did the research for “We understand the issues companies an internationally renowned reputation. Intelligence. the PhD - an experimental, commercially face when commercialising their ideas, and And a £33m investment in the Manchester focussed PhD - I became very frustrated,” appreciate the importance of covering all Top tier ranked by all leading IP and legal directories, clients range Business School means it will further enhance Sam says, honestly. “I found that I liked the potential aspects relating to a new technology. from large, multinational corporations to small and medium sized the city’s reputation for providing high-flying ideas about technology, but I didn’t like the In this way we are able to maximise the value businesses and from universities, spin-outs and start-ups to private young professionals – which attracts so many day to day ‘doing’ of it. Ideas are simple and of the IP to the company, for example when inventors. employers to Manchester. straightforward – reality is much messier, and seeking investment or when licensing the Research has also found that Manchester doesn’t often correspond to our ideas!” technology, and ultimately help them grow” With our technical expertise and diverse client base, our Manchester creates 79 new businesses per 10,000 And so, becoming a patent attorney allowed Sam adds. population, which is 58% percent higher than Sam to stay with the theory often associated And, with a still-unclear Brexit on the based attorneys are able to provide and implement strategic advice the UK average, at just 50 new businesses. with the protection of intellectual property. horizon, should businesses be concerned on a wide range of IP issues. “It’s becoming a centre for the whole of the Sam’s experience means he now specialises in about how that affects the protection of North of England, and so on that basis it was high tech inventions in physics and computer their intellectual property? “There shouldn’t an easy decision to open here,” Sam continues. technologies, including medical devices, thanks be any significant change to the patent side For more information on how to protect your IP and maximise your “The facilities for what we’re doing are great, to the on-the-job experience he’s had working of our work,” Sam tells us. “The European commercial opportunities, contact us today: the transport links are good, the people are in Brighton and Manchester. Patent Office is not an EU institution; in effect, outstanding – it’s relatively easy to recruit “Rather than working for three or more patents don’t change, so we’ll still be able people with the skills that we need. It’s great years on a single idea, I can work on three to provide the same services for our UK and Samuel Dewhurst to see investment in innovation here, in a different ideas in a single day. I have many international clients. T: +44 (0)161 209 3434 historically innovative city. different clients all working in different areas of “There might be some technical changes “We’re here to support businesses with technology, and I find it really interesting to see to the protection of designs and trade marks, E: [email protected] innovation; trying to create value in people’s how people are working at the cutting edge of and we may need to make separate UK and A: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN intellectual property and support businesses. “ technology – it’s all brand-new stuff, just by the European design or trade mark registrations Sam himself didn’t start out studying nature of the job I’m doing!” for clients, but none of those things should anything legal, as had been my assumption. New ideas create intellectual property. prevent people from seeking to protect their Like of the vast majority of his colleagues, “Everything we do is based around IP; around intellectual property now.” n his background is actually technical: “My people’s creativity. Sometimes that can be undergraduate degree was in physics at the the only thing that separates them from their University of Manchester, and then I did a PhD.” competitors” So how do you get a business to Originally from Lancashire, he completed his understand the value that exists within their PhD at Cambridge University in semiconductor business in their IP? physics, working on semiconductor quantum “We regularly give advice on what is dots, single photon sources, photonic crystals possible; with an IP review, we can identify the and related technologies, and their uses in best way to help a business.” TIER 1 FIRM 2017 photonics and quantum information processing “From people who have a single idea or applications. a brand that they want to get value from, to T: +44 (0)161 209 3434 How did he make the change from a narrow make sure they’re the legal owner of what E: [email protected] specialism at PhD level to becoming a UK and they’ve created, through the entire range of A: Peter House, Oxford Street, European patent attorney? sizes and types of organisation, we can help Manchester, M1 5AN www.dehns.com

Dehns advert - Innovation 100 V2 (205mm by 260mm).indd 1 30/01/2018 17:17:46 Partner 41

Dehns is delighted to support Innovation 100 Greater Manchester

Dehns is a leading European firm of specialist patent and trade mark attorneys, with more than 200 people across seven offices, and with an internationally renowned reputation. Top tier ranked by all leading IP and legal directories, clients range from large, multinational corporations to small and medium sized businesses and from universities, spin-outs and start-ups to private inventors. With our technical expertise and diverse client base, our Manchester based attorneys are able to provide and implement strategic advice on a wide range of IP issues.

For more information on how to protect your IP and maximise your commercial opportunities, contact us today:

Samuel Dewhurst T: +44 (0)161 209 3434 E: [email protected] A: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN

TIER 1 FIRM 2017

www.dehns.com

Dehns advert - Innovation 100 V2 (205mm by 260mm).indd 1 30/01/2018 17:17:46 42 Innovation100

We are the world’s only 3D photorealistic SIS4ERS DISTILLERY is a small batch, artisan SkinnyBrands was created in 2016 by Tom and creator of sensory marketing tools capturing gin distillery in Manchester, operated by four Gary. Together they have grown this brand sensory detailing and curvature through a single sisters with a passion for creating beautiful from an idea and a back-bedroom office to an flat photographic image of the original. Our 3D gin. Born and bred in Salford, the four SIS4ERS international and well recognised brand with system creates bespoke marketing replicas in are crafting gin with personality, on a strong products in over 2000 retail stores, 2000+ pubs multiple media, modular kit form and tailored foundation of family values and the desire to and bars and 3 international markets in less than to the exact needs of brands, including and not create real gin for real people. 12 months. limited to oversized exact replicas as stand- alone POS, shelving units, tables, pallet displays and mounted modelling. www.sis4ersdistillery.com www.skinnybrands.co.uk www.stackawraps.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07879 896725 0161 726 5882 0161 410 0352

The 100.indd 76 26/01/2018The 10:54 100.indd 77 25/01/2018The 14:34100.indd 78 26/01/2018 16:37

Stand4Socks thinks bamboo socks can change 1.2bn people remain unconnected to electricity SwabTech is automating the recovery of the world. Each pair sold has a tangible positive and pay 10 - 100x more than we do for energy. reusable red blood cells from surgical swabs. in the world, from providing a pair of socks Between them and the utility lie many miles of Their device integrates with existing Intra- to a homeless person, planting 10 trees, or rugged landscape, unreliable infrastructure and operative Cell Salvage (ICS) systems that providing a year’s safe drinking water and more. a lack of data. SteamaCo is a venture-backed recover blood during surgery, for immediate Furthermore, bamboo is naturally antibacterial, technology company that enables utilities to transfusion into the patient, across a range of super breathable and soft! sell energy anywhere on the planet. surgical procedures. This provides a safer and cost-effective alternative to donated blood.

www.stand4socks.com www.steama.co www.swabtech.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07834 989812 0161 232 4589

The 100.indd 79 07/02/2018The 16:59 100.indd 80 26/01/2018The 10:57100.indd 83 25/01/2018 14:45

Telcom is a leader in technology and Swifty Scooters is a personal transportation TeamKinetic is a social technology company, connectivity. Bringing a customer-centric brand offering fun, fast and alternative ways providing innovative software solutions for approach to connectivity, minimising to move around our congested cities. At the organisations that depend on contingent disruptions and installation time using new forefront of the adult kick-scooter market since workforces. Their software has been developed technologies. Their latest innovation ‘Node’ is 2011 through innovative design, engineering to create a solution that draws on technological a state of the art connectivity hub, intelligent and unrivalled quality, the brand inspires fun, innovation, behavioural science and market management software and fibre infrastructure. freedom and adventure for the whole family. demands to transform the driving workforce Node provides secure and supplier agnostic behind the third sector. connectivity for buildings. www.swiftyscooters.com www. teamkinetic.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0330 122 2970 0161 848 8695 0161 914 5757

The 100.indd 84 26/01/2018The 11:01100.indd 85 26/01/2018The 11:02100.indd 86 22/01/2018 16:57 bqlive.co.uk 43

THE INSIGHTS PEOPLE

The Insights People is the market intelligence company of the future, providing real insights TileMaster are a leading brand of machine, U-drain is a permanently installed urine/waste in real time. cleaning and sealing products for the dialysate drainage system. It offers extensive Kids Insights and Parents Insights are the most restoration, protection and maintenance of patient and nurse benefits whilst realising 60% comprehensive and dynamic form of market tiles, natural stone and other hard surfaces. NHS cash savings, and a reduction of carbon, intelligence. Clients include: Penguin, Turner & The philosophy of TileMaster has always been waste plastic and water usage by 99%. Warner Bros. Bee Industrious provides bespoke to help clients maintain beautiful looking research solutions. Clients include: Brookson surfaces, this can only be possible with product and SuperAwesome. development, quality and value.

www.theinsightspeople.com www.tilemaster.co.uk www.u-drain.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] +44 (0) 161 660 7691 0161 444 0377 07767 113887

The 100.indd 81 26/01/2018The 14:52 100.indd 87 29/01/2018The 100.indd16:19 87 07/02/2018 16:59

Unlimited Potential is a social enterprise that Upside provides flexibility to the energy We’ve created the first Variable Pitch Vertical specialises in social innovation for happiness system. It uses advanced algorithms to manage Axis Wind Turbine which is far more flexible and health. Taking the most difficult social energy used by electric vehicles, heating and and efficient than any other. Our turbine and economic challenges identified by large hot water systems, batteries attached to solar revolves around a vertical axis and silent in organisations, we create new solutions to with PV arrays, etc. This helps the grid manage operation. It’s self-governing and has variable citizens and communities, always starting with energy supply and demand more effectively, pitch, varying the angle into the wind for their strengths and talents. reducing the cost and environmental impact maximum efficiency automatically. of energy. www.unlimitedpotential.org.uk www.upsideenergy.co.uk www.vertogen.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 743 4502 07971 546288 07968 073404

The 100.indd 89 30/01/2018The 08:55 100.indd 90 26/01/2018The 100.indd11:04 90 07/02/2018 17:00

Virtual Training Centre provides high quality, We create memorable virtual reality When someone applies for a job anywhere online, accredited and bespoke training to a experiences for industry, marketing, training in the UK, they’re likely to be using Volcanic diverse range of industry sectors. The company and culture. From engineering firms to creative technology without even realising. Volcanic specialises within the security sector, fast agencies, private clients to multi-national is a global, leading provider of recruitment websites and job boards and its SaaS platform becoming market leaders in taking government organisations, we work with you to enhance is used by leading recruitment agencies, job level, maritime security training completely your brand, product, development, team and boards and SME recruiters. online, serving their customers with a focus on company to produce lasting images in the quality, price and convenience. minds of your audience. www.virtual-training-centre.com www.virtualise360.com www.volcanic.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0161 763 4427 0161 686 5757 0161 217 1515

The 100.indd 93 29/01/2018The 15:55100.indd 94 25/01/2018 17:41 44 Innovation100 BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

WHYTELIGHT S OLUTIONS

Whitham Mills Engineering Limited is the Web Applications UK is a market-leading leading one stop shop for automatic baling We are a Carbon Trust accredited specialist technology solutions provider based in Oldham. systems providing the highest quality products supplier and installer of commercial and With a strong ethos prioritising learning, growth and service. From baling equipment to MRF’s industrial LED lighting and FAR infrared heating and innovation, the software house develops (Material Recovery Facilities) they analyse the systems and ancillary control equipment. We cutting edge bespoke products for the travel needs of the customers and design innovative specialise in production areas, warehouses, industry. The company is committed to having solutions to service their customers current offices and retail. Our continual effort is to a positive impact on its employees, customers and future recycling needs. maximise the development and manufacture of and community. our product lines within the UK.

[email protected] www.whithammills.com [email protected] 0161 682 6565 [email protected] 07904 983021 01706 811888

The 100.indd 95 05/02/2018 10:38

We help clients to improve their products Withoomph was launched 2 years ago and World Heat was established in 2008 as a and their manufacturing processes, using delivers a fast, high quality, automated design manufacturer of a hot water cylinders and engineering simulation, reliability engineering logo service to small businesses wanting to water heaters. Based in a purpose built factory and technical safety, delivered through a stand out in the crowd. Using some basic in Manchester, we produce approximately 1,000 products per month for domestic properties, combination of software, consulting and information, a client can create a new logo in along with large water heaters for use in MORE CONTENT, MORE OFTEN training. just 3 seconds to help brand their business. commercial and industrial premises, such as schools and hospitals. BQ’s daily email service is packed with all of the big news stories and insights from

www.wildeanalysis.co.uk www.withoomph.com www.worldheat.co.uk around your area, available in seven editions across the UK (Scotland, North East, North [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] West, Yorkshire, Midlands, London & the South and Wales). 0161 474 6886 07753 411075 0161 343 8610 The bulletins will include the top stories from around your area and also a number of in-depth features on key business topics such as start-ups, scale-ups, innovation, digital,

The 100.indd 97 26/01/2018The 11:14100.indd 98 07/02/2018 17:00 and skills.

Ziferblat is a pay per minute sitting room, meeting room, coworking and event space in Manchester, Liverpool and MediaCityUK. Ziferblat’s super flexible model, creative For more information on For more information on For more information on homely interiors and collaborative culture Apadmi see pages 08 - 11 Elucigene Diagnostics HMG Paints Ltd reinterprets how we use our city centres, see pages 20 - 23 see pages 34 - 37 acting as a solution where other traditional venues aren’t fit for purpose. Sign up for FREE at www.bqlive.co.uk www.ziferblat.co.uk [email protected] Celebrating and inspiring entrepreneurship BULLETIN 0161 806 0706

The 100.indd 100 25/01/2018 11:36 bqlive.co.uk 45 BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

MORE CONTENT, MORE OFTEN

BQ’s daily email service is packed with all of the big news stories and insights from around your area, available in seven editions across the UK (Scotland, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands, London & the South and Wales).

The bulletins will include the top stories from around your area and also a number of in-depth features on key business topics such as start-ups, scale-ups, innovation, digital, and skills.

Sign up for FREE at www.bqlive.co.uk

Celebrating and inspiring entrepreneurship BULLETIN 46 Partner

Fuelling Growth in the Northern Powerhouse

The first bank in the UK opened in 1650, and whilst the basic principle of ‘keepers of cash’ still applies, they’ve innovated over centuries to be of significant value to business. Sean Williams, the head of regional customer banking for Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group, explains to BQ’s Suzy Jackson what this looks like in 2018.

The banking landscape is changing, Sean APIs, so that customer data can be shared branch networks less and we’re having to adapt says. “It’s continually evolving. We need to with authorised third-party applications in a to meet the needs of the future, tech-savvy adapt, be creative and nimble in terms of our secure, common and consistent format. At generation, investing heavily in technology that delivery approach in considering the future CYBG, the team is embracing the principles combines ease of access, with better decision under Open Banking, which is set to redefine and investing in new ways to improve the making, enabling customers to take greater and potentially revolutionise mainstream service they offer, particularly to their business control over their finances. banking as we know it.” customers. “The status quo across UK banking is being Open banking is a step change in how “Customer demographics, their needs and challenged and we believe that success in banking is conducted in the UK. The new buying habits are constantly changing,” he the future will be defined by our ability to rules state that banks must create open tells me. There’s evidence of customers using connect data and customer insight, continually Partner 47

“We are committed to working with SMEs in the North of England, ensuring they have the support and funding they need to grow and develop, to reach their full “ potential.”

innovating and developing customer-inspired customers and to attract the next generation to Studio B is an important part of the Bank’s propositions and technology, that together bank with it. strategy through combining its history of create a truly personalised banking experience. The Bank has been supporting the UK local relationships with world class technology, Customer choice is around having access to economy for almost 180 years. In that time, providing a platform to develop new ideas and financial services at their fingertips, at their the conditions in which it operates has seen gain inspiration from customers, early adopters convenience 24 hours a day, so banks have significant change, and they’re working hard and from across the business community. to remodel their propositions, and evolve to to adapt in order to build competitive edge More recently, the launch of the Bank’s facilitate that superior customer experience.” and to growth their UK franchise. Now an B-Tox Challenge attracted national attention CYBG is the owner of the Clydesdale Bank, independent Banking Group with a strong through a high profile event with top consumer Yorkshire Bank and its digital brand, B, and is a personal customer base and a business banking media and influencers getting involved with the Bank with a long history. It was demerged from capability through a UK-wide network, there campaign and kicking off the Bank’s theme to National Australia Bank at the beginning of 2016, has been recent commitment to a £350m get the UK financially fit. determined to combine its strong foundation investment programme to deliver the bank’s In fact, they’re applying the principles of and community digital aspirations. innovation discussed throughout this report to roots, with CYBG has created a platform called iB, which their growing banking business. But for them, new ideas to enables the bank to integrate and connect the customer remains at the heart of the better serve to FinTech partners, while also providing big service they offer; listening to their feedback data insights that help customers make better and responding through building centres of decisions and take greater control over their excellence within their customer service teams, money. It’s taking major strides in transforming enhancing the retention process and making it CYBG into the UK’s leading digitally-enabled easier to switch products. challenger bank, positioning itself strongly for “We talk consistently about the customer the future banking landscape. experience and constantly test our delivery.” Sean adds: “Our iB technology platform is Customers may want to interact with us in ready to explore Open Banking with full ‘plug a number of channels. They may apply for and play’ FinTech capability, meaning we can a product or a service online so we need to offer real-time, integrated services for our 2.8 have the infrastructure but follow up with million customers. We are making significant a telephone conversation, or complete the advances in our customer and digital capability transaction in person at one of our customer - from launching innovative technology such banking centres. We need to have the as Selfie ID, cheque imaging and introducing capability to seamlessly move from channel to a market leading e-lending solution for SMEs, channel. The value is in a slick, effective delivery with decision making typically taking place in experience for our customers, providing them around 10 minutes. And there’s much more the service they want, when and where they to come through 2018” want it. Unlike anything else on the high street, CYBG is committed to increasing its support CYBG’s concept ‘Studio B’ innovation hub, to help businesses invest and grow, particularly in London, enables collaboration directly in its core areas of Scotland and the North of with customers and other interested England. With its roots in supporting businesses parties on the design of future banking of the North, its belief is that no bank is better products and services, with the best ideas placed to help drive economic growth in the showcased and tested with colleagues, UK regions. customers and members of the public – all The Bank is helping to fuel the growth of alongside a fully functioning bank. SMEs across the Midlands, North of England and Designed to encourage the next generation Scotland through its lending programme. Last of customers to shape banking in the future, year, it committed £6bn of new SME lending to 48 Partner

ways to maximise their competitive positions.” At CYBG, the appetite for supporting innovation is strong, with the Growth Finance team just completing its second successive record year. Headed up by David Hayers, his team has been helping scale-up businesses to borrow money based on the quality of their equity backing and the extent of their intellectual property (IP). IP is often a key asset of a fast-growing, early-stage business, but it is nearly always overlooked by lenders. Companies may have invested many hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds into developing their proprietary software or patenting a product or process that gives the company a competitive advantage. Yet, when it comes to securing finance, most institutions will look to tangible assets or even personal guarantees to secure a loan. Rarely will the CYBG Growth Finance team see a business that has any significant tangible assets. Instead, the team consider the growth trajectory of the company, the extent and depth of the equity support and the nature of the IP. This approach can unlock a vital source of funding for these high-growth companies and taking on debt can often provide an businesses over three years. With over £2.1bn of Sean continues: “We believe passionately attractive alternative to being further diluted lending committed over the last year, CYBG’s that SMEs are our future lifeblood in terms of through a new equity round. target is well on track. delivering economic growth and prosperity as Whether the innovation is bold and Sean continues: “We are committed to well as attracting the infrastructure and wider audacious, or small and incremental, CYBG working with SMEs in the North of England, investment capital to support the rebalancing is supporting those firms making advances ensuring they have the support and funding of the regional economies, building skills, as it continues to transforms itself – for its they need to grow and develop, to reach their retaining talent and driving productivity. All of customers, and for the North. full potential.” this is an opportunity we cannot pass up.” Sean added: “We recognise that the funding “We are developing strategic partnerships Innovation is flourishing across the landscape for SMEs can be complex and across Manchester and the North West, for Northern Powerhouse, in all its forms, and confusing at times and we’re striving to ensure example working collaboratively with the CYBG is working across the spectrum to our teams are skilled and knowledgeable, Growth Hub on the Innovation100 programme support SMEs, who are investing for growth as well as being on hand to help businesses and are looking to further align with the and scale. “Innovation, to me, is a business owners navigate their way through the myriad University of Manchester to support scale up constantly looking to evolve,” says Sean, “to of options out there - building ecosystems that businesses needing mentoring support. We be more creative and improve efficiency and ensure management has access to the best are also forging ever closer links with our civic productivity through small step-changes, support and finance, at the right times.” n leaders and key regional influencers, believing in listening to their customers, their staff and a strong public and private partnership. supply chain. “Most recently, we demonstrated our “Through the Innovation100 programme, it commitment to the region by joining the was inspirational to see the thought processes Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme and practises that harness the collective, as a key strategic partner. This underpins our creative energy across businesses in Greater belief that the Northern Powerhouse represents Manchester and spanning a diverse range of a significant opportunity for businesses to sectors and industries. Big and small - I was For more information please contact Sean unlock the economic potential in the area and blown away by the foresight these business Williams Head of Regional Customer bridge the earnings gap with the South, through owners have in looking to constantly evolve Banking Manchester on 07802 370962 working together to one pan-northern agenda. their propositional thinking and in seeking out E: [email protected], www.cybg.com Partner 49

Focus on: ResponseTap

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s Growth Finance every month, offices in London, Manchester “We’re focused on team client, ResponseTap, is accelerating their and Atlanta, and billions of web visits, phone growth plans with a £3.5m funding package calls and associated transactions processed growing the business from the bank. every day. “ and this new funding The business to business Software as a Ross said: “Since 2008 ResponseTap has been Service (SaaS) firm, established by founders pioneering visitor level call tracking. Heralding will enhance our ability Ross Fobian and Richard Hamnett, are leaders in many industry firsts, including integration into to invest further.” Call Intelligence, allowing their clients including Google AdWords and Google Analytics, the British Gas, Hiscox and Virgin Money, to manage business continues to grow with innovation at their end customers’ user experience, from its core. websites to phone calls via call centres. “Our team of customer success managers vital to know we had a banking partner who Call Intelligence provides real-time, listen to our customers, so that our teams of understood our vision and plans. We’re focused actionable insight into what makes the phone product managers and developers can then on growing the business and this new funding ring, for marketers to optimise campaigns and act on their requests or suggestions. This starts will enhance our ability to invest further.” call centres to maximise the value of sales. If from the top of the business through our co- The deal was delivered by Usman Ali from the phone is an integral part of a customer’s founders, and trickles down across the business, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s Growth Finance buying journey, then make every call count. inspiring each employee to be an innovator. team, a specialist UK-wide team that provides ResponseTap came about over a few beers “The business has developed a modus senior lending for innovative and rapidly in a university bar, and a conversation between operandi that has removed silos and fosters expanding businesses with strong software and Ross and Richard about the disconnect creative thinking to help differentiate our intellectual property assets and existing venture between online and offline customer journeys. product from our competitors.” capital. Within two years, they had launched their ResponseTap has more than 2,000 Usman Ali, director of growth finance at campaign level tracking project, the first in customers, providing analytics on more than Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, said: “Ross Europe to be integrated with Google Analytics. 1 million calls per month. The firm has already and Richard have built an incredible business A further two years later and visitor raised more than £5m in venture capital through in a short space of time, delivering state of level tracking was live, the business had 100 Eden Ventures and Beringea. the art solutions for some of the UK’s biggest customers and ResponseTap had joined the Ross added: “The last few years have been companies. It’s extremely rewarding to have the Telegraph’s Tech Start-Up 100 most promising incredibly exciting for us and we’re hugely opportunity to partner with such an innovative technology start-ups in Europe. Today, the appreciative of the support we’ve received. and ambitious firm and we look forward to CYBG client has 80 staff, 50 new customers We’re in a fast-moving industry, and it was working with them as they continue to grow.” n 50 Innovation100

Meet a man with his head in the cloud Managed hosting and cloud specialists UKFast see themselves as industry-leading innovators, and a conduit to success for a host of other small businesses. CEO Lawrence Jones explains how. bqlive.co.uk 51

Having set the business up with my “The engineers and developers who build and develop now-wife Gail 18 years ago, Lawrence says, “my current role is much more strategic and the products are the same people providing support focussed on leading the team.” UKFast is a “ when our customers call up.” Manchester-born tech company that’s grown to over £40m turnover in that time. “We are one of the UK’s leading cloud hosting load balancing technology, and we were one expanding their solutions. Word of mouth providers, which simply means we provide of the first to speed up the internet with web spreads, we win new business and deliver the infrastructure and support to help other acceleration. As customer need arises we are in double-digit growth every year.” businesses thrive online.” a great position to develop new products and And as UKFast has grown, so has their It’s a highly competitive industry worldwide, features. innovative potential. “We’ve grown our but rather than being threatened by that, “In the last two years we have launched headcount now to more than 350, but we try the UKFast team are motivated by it. “The three major new products: DDoSX, eCloud Flex and innovate and develop in much the same uptake in cloud computing in recent years has and FastDesk, all of which are now contributing way as when we were just 50. If anything,” been huge,” Lawrence says. “UKFast innovates significantly to our bottom line.” Lawrence says, “our ability to innovate quickly solutions which allow clients to access a The firm’s commitment to CPD is has improved as our R&D budgets have grown, full-service cloud, based in the UK and with characterised by a substantial investment in and our relationships with major technology incredible customer service.” training – because UKFast don’t do anything partners have developed. Innovations in products and services, and by halves. “We encourage our team to be “Ultimately, it’s important that businesses in the way they operate, are what they credit innovative by providing an award-winning, stick to that winning formula that helped them with helping them lead from the front. “The custom-built, in-house training centre, offering to scale in the first place. Enable the team at engineers and developers who build and bespoke inductions and continuous training the coal-face, who work with the technology develop the products are the same people and professional development to every new day in and day out, to steer the direction of providing support when our customers call team member. We have a full-time team your innovation.” n up,” Lawrence offers, as an example of the of qualified teachers and a Pearson Vue ways they do things differently. “This gives accredited test centre where our team and the customers direct access to the innovators who local community can take their exams.” know how the systems work. It sets us apart All of these innovations and more help them from our global competitors, and it’s something land customers – and retain existing ones. “If our customers really value.” you look at the ‘stickiness’ of UKFast you’ll see A quarter of UKFast’s profits are reinvested that around half of our revenue growth comes Call: 0800 923 0605 into R&D every year. “Our R&D team developed every year comes from existing customers Email: [email protected] 52 Partner

Intellectual property is a valuable asset which has to be recognised and protected, as the IPO explains. Take your intellectual property seriously

Innovation is crucial for the ongoing success own or use some form of IP. strategy can be essential, for instance when of any business. It could be the development The Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the looking to raise investment, and taking proper of a new method, product or invention. But, official UK government body, responsible for consideration of your IP assets can be an innovation isn’t just about new products IP rights, wants businesses to make the most important part of that. or technology. It’s how you do things and of these assets. We help people understand how you turn your ideas into solutions that IP and provide the right type of protection for Developing an IP strategy ultimately add value for customers. Innovation, their creation. There are five main types of IP: The creation of an IP strategy starts with founded on the power of human creativity, • Patents knowing what intellectual assets you already is anywhere that solutions are addressing • Designs own and an initial IP audit will help determine problems. • Trade marks this. Increasingly it’s the intangible assets of • Copyright Things to consider in an IP strategy include: knowledge, skills and the creative expression of • Know-how • what you create on a daily basis and any ideas that today’s local and national economies Confidential know-how, often in the form of future plans. are reliant upon. Many modern and successful Trade Secrets is normally best protected by • What you use that may be owned businesses are built around these types of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). by other parties. intellectual assets more than the traditional While we grant and maintain IP rights • Assets that underpin your critical value. view of assets purely being tangible - such as we also help to guide IP management and • A protection and management plan to buildings and equipment. exploitation. When identified, protected and minimise risks including budget available. exploited, IP can generate valuable income • Return on investment associated with IP Understanding Intellectual Property streams and mitigate future risks. assets. Intangible assets can be covered by More and more modern businesses are An IP strategy may vary from business to Intellectual Property (IP), so it’s important to integrating IP into their overall business business depending on the market size, life recognise and understand them. It’s almost strategy, which shows that IP is being taken cycle of the product or service, as well as the certain that every business, large or small, will seriously. A clearly articulated business risks and potential competition. It can help Partner 53

“We help people understand IP and provide the right type of protection “ for their creation.”

position the business correctly and feed into IP rights. Made up of four modules on the main including; case studies, details of upcoming business planning. An effective IP strategy IP rights, it takes around an hour to complete events and where to access further support. n should drive further innovation and open and is also CPD accredited. windows into other potential markets. IP Health Check – Aimed at businesses looking for a more detailed look at their IP. A IP for Business tools free online assessment of your business to help Our IP for Business online tools are designed you identify and add value to your IP assets. to help you understand, identify, protect Based on your answers to a series of simple and exploit your IP assets. Whether you’re a questions, it provides a confidential report with complete novice or looking to brush up on advice on how to protect your IP. existing skills, we have the right tool for you: You can find our tools and guidance on General IP information, including protecting IP Equip - Aimed at everyone, from small our IP for business pages at https://www.gov. your IP abroad, can be found via our business owners to professional advisors. A uk/government/collections/ip-for-business- homepage www.gov.uk/ipo. You can also free, interactive online learning tool to help events-guidance-tools-and-case-studies. The find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, you identify assets which may be protected by collection is also packed with useful advice YouTube and Instagram. 54 Innovation100

COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE – LESSONS FROM THE Innovation 100

Any business or organisation can innovate as long as it follows a few simple principles.

Think more broadly ideas that would never be captured otherwise. (IOM3), with practical knowhow to harvest. It is Innovation occurs across many facets of Suppliers, customers and staff are close to the well worth exploring what these have to offer. a business. Typically we think of products action, so are well-placed to identify where Business Growth Hub’s innovation team can stemming from R&D and advances in changes to products and services could provide help put you in touch with organisations like technology, but, equally, innovation occurs real competitive advantage. The solution might these that you may not be aware of. in new services, processes and alternative seem obvious to them, but, if their thoughts business models, all of which can challenge remain hidden, business-changing opportunities Collaborate to innovate established norms. Innovation100 Greater may be lost forever. Fostering an innovative Collaboration provides the opportunity Manchester spotlights a wonderfully broad culture is therefore essential in creating to find and harness the knowledge that’s range of new and interesting approaches to the conditions to enable better outcomes, out there, avoid re-inventing the wheel and business and technology, but for many busy lower cost manufacturing, better services be quicker to market. It can help unlock the enterprises uncovering and maximising the or customer experience, and, of course, an innovation potential of your business and potential of new opportunities poses a major improved bottom line. provide opportunities to find the answers you challenge. Meeting this challenge head on is, need to achieve your ambitions and achieve however, essential for competitive advantage, Grow your network growth. So why not collaborate to innovate? growth and future success. Innovation100 GM companies are also utilising the wealth of research organisations The Business Growth Hub Innovation Service Talk to your staff, supplier and customer and specialists with expertise and facilities provides advice and support to help you There will be many opportunities thrown in the UK to expand networks and contacts. innovate and grow - if you are interested in up by looking out to the market for your We’re not just talking about universities here, finding out more, contact us at info@ products or services, but how many chances to but also Innovate UK support Catapult centres businessgrowthhub.com or call us on 0161 345 innovate are overlooked? One of the messages with specialisms around medicine discovery 3050. from Innovation100 GM is the importance of and High Value Manufacturing too, for encouraging the contribution of employees example. There are also organisations such as Chris Greenhalgh, Head of Innovation and and suppliers, and tapping into a rich source of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Programme Development bqlive.co.uk 55

Proud to back innovative businesses The Growth Finance offering is a UK-wide debt package aimed at high growth, intellectual property rich businesses which have raised, or are in the process of raising, professional equity.

Lending subject to status and eligibility, security may be required.

To find out more contact: Business David Hayers Nick Edgar Head of Growth Finance Senior Director, Growth Finance [email protected] [email protected] Banking 07734 111 346 07539 750 636 cbonline.co.uk/growthfinance | ybonline.co.uk/growthfinance

Terms and conditions apply. Fees may apply. Any asset used as security will be at risk if you break the agreement and may be sold to repay your debt. The Bank only provides information on the products, services and transactions provided by it or a member of the Bank’s group. It is your responsibility to seek any financial, tax and /or legal advice that your require. Any decision to enter into a transaction with us is on the basis that you have made your own assessment, with or without additional professional advice, of the suitability of the product for your requirements. Yorkshire Bank is a trading name of Clydesdale Bank PLC which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 121873). Clydesdale Bank PLC. Registered in Scotland (No. SC001111). Registered Office: 30 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2HL. “Innovation is very much part of growth, and an essential part of “ helping businesses to become more competitive.”

This publication is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Business Growth Hub Innovation Service project