UWE

Creative & Technology AmbassadorThe 2016 EDGE Awards provides a stage to celebrate, recognise and reveal our region’s finest in design, gadgetry and entrepreneurialism. From garden-shed starts up to globally established businesses, EDGE will provide an unique opportunity to make a mark in their business sector. The awards will showcase businesses and individuals across all creative disciplines, from branding to innovation, products to interactivity with a commitment to recognising and rewarding the very best in design, gadgetry and technology. The EDGE Awards brings together the best of the South West, where finalists will be given the opportunity to showcase their products and receive the recognition they deserve. Entrepreneurs are the drivers of employment and successful economies – but not all are successful for various reasons. These awards focus on the really exceptional cutting edge firms – those that inspire others and enable businesses to compete in different and more innovate ways. Bristol has many leading edge firms that contribute in many different ways to a successful economy and to making the lives of others more effective. UWE Bristol is happy to sponsor these awards as they are the first of their kind in the Region, that recognise and reward the excellent work being carried out. UWE Bristol sponsors the Edge Awards because we are aware of their importance to Cutting edge businesses. The awards are one of a series of initiatives and events that UWE Bristol is involved in; others are the Bristol Women in Business Awards and the Bristol Business Awards - events that are quickly becoming established as the highlights of the business year. What do these awards mean for UWE? UWE is passionate about business and we aim to help business achieve in every way that we can. We offer exciting undergraduate and postgraduate courses, professional and executive development as well as a range of advice services and incubation facilities. Innovative and creative businesses are the backbone of the Bristol economy and we will do everything that we can to help them compete, grow and prosper. Running your own business is not easy and success results from hard work, tenacity and creativity. The awards are an excellent way of raising the awareness of the Cutting edge creativity in the region and are also a means of encouraging others to develop and leverage their entrepreneurial skills and of course establishing more successful businesses in the Bristol Region. The Bristol region has all that any aspiring entrepreneur could ask for: advice on setting up a business and an array of financial and legal firms, and infrastructure. We believe in encouraging and promoting the entrepreneurial mind-set and celebrating success.   How do these awards relate to UWE’s Offering? Awards events like the Edge help to develop talent from Universities like UWE that see Entrepreneurship as a clear career choice. We want to inspire talented individuals to pursue innovative ideas. And of course winning or being a finalist in these awards has its own benefits – giving the firms credibility and setting them on the path to further success. We want to recognise and reward companies that have innovated, bringing new ideas to the market in a range of activities. By supporting early-stage technology development and research, UWE can increase the number and quality of start-ups that reach growth stage. Not only are they important employers – they are underpin a high achieving economy The finalists showcase Bristol business – an important activity for the region. I am very pleased to see a high number of finalists – this reflects the degree of Cutting Edge thinking and the diversity of the region. The Edge awards has a range of categories – they are all part of the jig-saw of regional competitiveness that is Bristol. They represent pride in our region, preparation for the future and achievement. What are some of the ways that UWE is helping business? As well as our highly acclaimed Team Entrepreneurship course we have recently received funding for a University Enterprise Zone. We have recently been awarded the coveted Small Business Charter that provides for a range of help, assistance and guidance to growing businesses. On the research side, we are heavily involved in Big Data research, the Internet of Things, new business models and leadership for the future. Why are Cutting Edge firms important? We know from our research that innovative and creative firms are the key to a successful economy – a reason that Bristol is the most innovative city outside of London. The finalists are likely to have high degrees of agility, innovativeness, technological strengths and the capacity to adapt to rapidly changing market environments.

Gregg Latchams

Drinks ReceptionThrough our offices in Bristol and London, the Digital Media & Technology team at law firm Gregg Latchams works with a wide variety of High Tech/High Growth businesses. Whether you are starting out or preparing for exit, our lawyers aim to use the benefit of their experience, expertise and networks to help you achieve your aspirations. We’re people as well as experts, who believe that strong partnerships create great results in the long term. If you are looking for accessible legal advice delivered in a personal and cost-effective way, please visit www.gregglatchams.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gl_cdmt or give us a call on 0117 906 9400.

EIP

Emerging Technology Award“EIP is proud to be associated with the EDGE Awards 2015 as sponsors of the Emerging Technology category. EIP is an innovative Intellectual Property (IP) Law firm advising on patents, trademarks, designs and copyright. Founded in 2000, EIP has more than 140 staff practising from its six international offices, including an office in Bath. “We believe that innovation should be celebrated and the individuals and companies who are at the forefront of new developments in technology recognised for their achievements. Through our work as patent attorneys, we are privileged to have direct access to innovative companies and individuals on a daily basis and it is encouraging to see a means by which their achievements may be championed. “As a firm based in the South West we are lucky to be part of this most dynamic of regions which has produced many of the UK’s eminent inventors and is home to a host of organisations who are highly-respected for their technological advances. “The EDGE Awards will celebrate all that is best about the South West from a creative and entrepreneurial perspective and EIP is excited to be part of this through our association with the EDGE Awards.” EIP partner, Matt Lawman

Renishaw

Young Innovator of the YearRenishaw profile – EDGE Awards Renishaw, the West Country based FTSE 250 listed engineering business, continues to grow and now employs over 4,000 people globally of which around 2,200 are located at its five sites in Gloucestershire. In July the company reported record turnover of £495 million for its financial year ended June 2015, of which 95% was due to exports. A world leader in engineering and science based technologies, Renishaw supplies products used for applications as diverse as jet engine and wind turbine manufacture, through to dentistry and brain surgery. It is also a world leader in the field of additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D printing), where it is the only UK company that manufactures industrial machines which ‘print’ parts from metal powder, including the world’s first metal bike frame produced in titanium for Empire Cycles. Renishaw is also working with the Bristol-based BLOODHOUND supersonic car team to 3D print the car’s nose cone and also the steering wheel which has contours that are precisely designed to match the hands of driver Andy Green. Renishaw has won multiple international awards, including 18 Queen’s Awards, the latest of which was awarded for innovation in April 2014 for its inVia Raman microscope. The company is also recognised for its manufacturing excellence and in September 2012 its Woodchester assembly site near Stroud, was named the UK’s Best Electronics & Electrical Plant. In May 2014 Renishaw hosted the Prime Minister David Cameron, who praised staff for their contribution to the re-balancing of the UK economy: “Thank you for all that you are doing here at Renishaw to drive a great industrial revolution and a British revival of manufacturing, technology and exports.” To continue its success Renishaw is highly committed to developing its own skilled staff and this year recruited a record 70 graduates, and has a record 120 apprentices in training. In December, Lucy Ackland, who joined the company as an apprentice aged just 16 and went on to achieve a 1st Class Engineering Honours Degree, won the national Women’s Engineering Society Prize for her work to inspire young students to follow STEM-based careers. Throughout its history the company has invested between 13 and 18% of its annual sales in R&D and engineering to maintain technology leadership, and employs five full-time patent officers at its HQ site near Wotton-under-Edge. Therefore it is a natural fit for Renishaw to support the EDGE Awards and to help recognise other organisations that put innovation at the heart of their business.

TLT

Programme SponsorTLT is a full service commercial law firm with offices throughout the UK, including Bristol, London and Manchester. We act for ambitious entrepreneurs as they seek to build their businesses from initial fundraising through to an ultimate exit. The team provides the full range of legal advice required by entrepreneurs and fast growing businesses, with particular experience in the TMT sector. We frequently advise on financing arrangements (through crowdfunding, business angels or venture capital investors), shareholders agreements', employment contracts, employee incentivisation, commercial contracts and intellectual property protection and have developed a fixed price menu for many of our services. We have established long-term partnerships with industry bodies and other organisations that further the economic interests of the TMT sector. These include the Founder Institute, Watershed, Engine Shed, SETsquared, UKBA, The Landing, South West Founders, Camden Collective and the NOA. Through these organisations and our wider links with the industry we work with some of the most innovative businesses in the UK. For more information about TLT, please visit: www.tltsolicitors.com