Oringally publisihed 24 May 2002

Connect Midlands, in association with the Enterprise Fellowship Scheme (efs); will be holding its first Springboard Event of the year on 18th June 2002 at the Centennial Centre, Birmingham. This key event calls upon technology-based early-stage spin-off companies and innovators, mainly from the Midlands universities, to showcase their ideas, concepts and proposals. Each company will deliver a ten-minute presentation to an invited audience of business angels, early-stage funders, experienced entrepreneurs and larger technology companies looking for partnerships or investments.

The aptly named Springboard Event will provide the platform for the 12 selected, technology-based, innovative companies to showcase their current practical and financial needs. Furthermore, there will be an informal exhibition area specifically for networking and further discussions.

The well-screened, early-stage companies represent a variety of industry sectors including biomedical and pharmaceuticals, health and environmental, software, instrumentation, semiconductor materials and consumer electronics. The companies range from those seeking development finance through to second stage companies seeking finance for expansion, with investment needs between £15k and £500k. Most presenters are also looking for management or non-executive director assistance with relevant experience.

Antony Kildare, Director of Economic Development at East Midlands Development Agency (emda) explains,

“We are delighted to support the Springboard conference as it compliments our work to encourage new and growing businesses. It supports our targets that are central to our vision of becoming a top 20 region in Europe by 2010”.

Mike Watts, Business Finance Executive for Advantage West Midlands explains,

“We are delighted to be principal founding sponsors of Connect Midlands - it is an initiative that fits very comfortably within the regional economic strategy and is another step towards our target of creating a diverse and dynamic regional economy.”

As delegate spaces are limited, attendance at the conference is purely by invitation. However, should you feel you would like to attend, please contact Connect Midlands and they will inform you if there are any remaining spaces.

Details of Springboard and the presenting companies can be found on the Connect Midlands website or alternatively, contact Isabell Majewsky on 024 7632 3320 or email isabell@connectmidlands.org

Note for editors: Connect Midlands is committed to nurturing the development and growth of technology related enterprise in the Heart of England by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed in today’s competitive environment. Connect Midlands makes investors aware of the technologies available in the Midlands through events such as the Connect Midlands Investment Conference, Springboard, Technology Briefings and Meet the Entrepreneur evenings.

Principal founding sponsorship from the University of Warwick, Advantage West Midlands and the East Midlands Development Agency and founding sponsorship from business advisors Ernst & Young, CH Jones, BT, Business Link – Coventry and Warwickshire, Grant Thornton, HSBC, Innvotec Ltd, OFEXMedia Ltd, QinetiQ, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Wragge & Co.