Over the last few months CollaboJam as been working with Sherry Coute and her team at Silicon Valley comes to the UK (SVC2UK) to develop opportunities for students who are interested in designing and building apps to get a leg up. We have been very lucky to be able to work with both universities in Sheffield to get this programme off the ground – John Kirby at Sheffield Hallam and Sara Platt and her team at the University of Sheffield have been great partners in the local programme. Our good friends at The GIST Foundation helped us to pool a fantastic group of experienced mentors and data specialists to support the students in their endeavours.

SVC2UK was conceived by Sherry as a way to profile the talent of the UK to Silicon Valley investors and to promote the opportunity of building businesses around app development to the UK student population.

Debrief at the Silicon Valley comes to Sheffield Appathon

Part 1 of the programme involved hosting an Appathon where student teams had to opportunity to develop ideas using government data sets and supported by platform owners such as Microsoft, Facebook and Nokia. We have talked about the Appathon day on the 8/9 October hosted by Sheffield Hallam on this blog. All of the teams from this event were encouraged to submit their apps to the national SVC2UK competition for a chance to win a trip to Silicon Valley and meet David Cameron.

We want to give a big thank you to Sheffield Doc/Fest who provided Solar Helper – the local winning team – with tickets to the festival and digital conference on the 13-17 June 2012. And a second big thank you to our friends at Codeworks for providing tickets to Design and Build It for the second place team Safe Trip.

Three teams from the Sheffield Appathon made the long list in the nation competition, Solar Helper, Safe Trip and Uni4Me. We are delighted that Safe Trip made the final 8 and the whole team made the trip to London last Wednesday to meet David Cameron at Number 10.

Safe Trip Team meet David Cameron

Following all this excitement we got down to the Business of Apps at the University of Sheffield on Friday 18 November where the student teams and other had a chance to attend master classes run by experienced app developers. We were also Skyped in Joel Gascoigne from Buffer to talk to about his experience of achieving paying customers in 7 weeks.

Apps for Specalist Markets - Chris Murray from epiGensys leads group discussion

Given the success of these events and the enthusiasm for this subject – not just from students but also local businesses we are looking to develop a programme of hack days and master classes as part of the Collaboration Centre Network programme. We will do this with Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield University and will also hope to partner with Huddersfield as well.

Below I have added some links to the media coverage the SVC2UK national programme and the details of the three short listed teams.

Emma

3 local teams were shortlisted for the national competition:

Solar Saver: Jonathan Booker, Michael Wain and Ste Prescott, Sheffield Hallam University and Runming Du, University of Sheffield

Safe Trip: Steven Briscoe, Sheffield Hallam University and Mark Dessain, Sam Oakley and Luke Stringer , University of Sheffield

Uni4Me: Madhusudhana Rao Kavilikatta and Khai Cheng from University of Sheffield

Safe Trip was selected as one of 8 winning teams to meet David Cameron on the 16 November 2011. Below is the press coverage.

Please go to http://svc2uk.com/news for the full listings of news from this national partnership and here for the local press release.

Regional Coverage of Safe Trip Team:

23 Nov 2011 The Star Cameron Praises App Designers
18 Nov BBC Radio Sheffield Drive Time – Interview with Safe Trip Team at 0:49:30 minutes
17 Nov 2011 Postcode Gazette PM congratulates Sheffield students on Phone App

National News Coverage of Appathon winners:

20 Nov 2011Sky NewsStudent Entrepreneurs Shouldn’t Fear Failure
17 Nov 2011BBC NewsStudents recognised for winning mobile phone apps
17 Nov 2011The TelegraphEnd of the ministerial Red Box in Cabinet high-tech drive
16 Nov 2011Press AssociationCabinet urged to embrace technology
16 Nov 2011Sky NewsEntrepreneurs ‘Could Spark UK Job Growth’
16 Nov 2011Computer WeeklyStudents win government open data competition
16 Nov 2011 Cabinet-Office Silicon Valley comes to Downing Street
16 Nov 2011 Cabinet Office flickr Cabinet Office’s photostream
16 Nov 2011 guardian.co.uk Silicon Valley comes to the UK: which apps won the Appathon?

Hosted by The University of Sheffield, The Business and Innovation Network conference ran over the last 3 days from the 2 to 4 November. BIN@Sheffield2011 was designed to be an international brokerage event facilitating discussion and co-operation between research centres and the private sector, and aligning science and innovation with real global challenges.  

The inaugural event BIN@FEUP2010, was held at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto in November 2010 and brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across academia and industry including research groups, technology parks and incubators, investors, technology based SMEs, blue chips and consultants.

The focus of BIN@Sheffield was collaboration between research and the private sector. As this was an international showcase drawing together individuals from a wide range of disciplines and markets right on our door step, we thought it was a great place to start asking the question: What makes good collaboration?

I ran a 1 hour session with about 30 delegates using the following formate to drill into their experiences of brokering, managing and working within collaborative relationships. We have published the results of these conversations on this blog as a starting point for Building the Collaboration Centre Network.

CollaboJam – What Makes Good Collaboration?

Workshop Structure:

Short Introduction into the SCR strategy to established the Collaboration Centre Network and associated collaboration environment.

Session 1

In small groups please discuss the following question and define 3 key points from your discussion:

Review your current experiences of collaboration to establish what makes good collaboration.

Prompts:

• What was the catalyst that started the collaboration?

• How did you find your fellow collaborators?

• What kept the collaborating partners together?

• How did you know it had come to an end?

• Explore positive and negative issues

After 15 minutes each group was invited to share their 3 key points with the whole workshop.

Session 2

Please move to a new group, discuss the following question and define 3 key points from your discussion:

If I was to develop a future collaboration what things would I change?

Prompts:

• How could it be made better?

• Who else needs to be involved?

• Issues can be macro or micro

After 15 minutes each group was invited to share their 3 key points with the whole workshop.

Issues and ideas raised were discussed briefly as a group.

As they were heading off for their next session I asked everyone to use 5 coloured dots to vote for the points they felt were the most important.

I have grouped the documents into Session 1 and Session 2. Below is the list of priority points.

Session 1 - Review your current experiences of collaboration to establish what makes good collaboration.

People – importance of relationship building ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Common interest / shared Vision ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

There is a tension between secrecy, trust openness and transparency ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Trust is key 6 Common goal / shared problem to resource ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Share risk in innovation ♥♥♥♥♥

Funding to move from discussion to collaboration ♥

Kept together by expectations being met and subjective and objective benefit being initiated ♥

Knowledge / resource exchange ♥

Session 2 - If I was to develop a future collaboration what things would I change?

Relationship building requires dedicated time to understand needs and differing cultures – this may help to overcome any project difficulties in the future  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Balance has to be found between the needs of a formal agreement versus the need for engagement and flexibility ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Absolute clarity of goals and continuous review ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Find ways to keep the process fresh and fun ♥♥♥♥♥

Drive and Progression focussed into leadership role ♥♥♥♥

Take into account cultural differences ♥♥♥♥

Put aside yourself interest for the interests of the collaboration ♥♥

Internal project managers / leaders ♥

An overall project manager ♥

Ensure everyone has same goal ♥

Signpost to another company or organisation if you are not the right partner for a possible collaboration ♥

Basic knowledge / understanding by everyone of what collaboration means ♥

Clarity of goals -  Recognise this can be more complex in a collaboration relationship ♥

Collaboration needs to be free!? – the less value involved the smoother the relationship ♥

Emma

Session 1

Review your current experiences of collaboration to establish what makes good collaboration.

Group A

Charlotte Swain, SEG faculty of Engineering

Jamie Young, Sheffield Hallam University

Chris Dymond, Technophobia

Jenny Morton, University of Sheffield

Rose Nightingale

Chris Simkins, DLA Piper

Key Points:

• There are very different types of collaboration
• Participants should have a clear understanding of the benefit that accrues to them specifically and in general
• There is a tension between secrecy, trust openness and transparency ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Notes:

Very different types of collaboration

Idea was the catalyst [for collaboration]

Admitting that you have a lack of knowledge in one area

Participants should have a clear understanding of the benefit that accrues to them specifically and in general

Collaboration agreements – legal underpinnings

Have to think about the things that might go wrong

But mustn’t have lawyers kill the enthusiasm

There is a tension between secrecy, trust openness and transparency

Kept together by expectations being met and subjective and objective benefit being initiated ♥

Group B

David Curtis, Sheffield Hallam

Shirley Lindley, Sheffield Hallam

Edward Murphy, Mott MacDonald

Angela Cheung, Pilkington Group Ltd (NSG Group)

Jean Simpson, University of Sheffield

Key Points:

• Common interest / shared Vision ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
• Funding to move from discussion to collaboration ♥♥
• Share risk in innovation ♥♥♥♥♥

Notes:

Need for external expertise

Common interest / complementary

Start a conversation(s) in networks / conferences/ trade associations

Build relationships

Find shared values

Make time

Share risks for innovation

A culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing

IP issues can be barrier / create problems

Group C

Ana Macintosh, BITECIC Ltd

Joe Dreimann

James Wilson, Creative Sheffield

Jim Butler, City of Austin

Andrew King

Key Points:

• Trust is key ♥♥♥♥♥♥
• Networking inc serendipity and choosing partners carefully
• Must be mutually beneficial (sometimes money / sometimes other) – different for public and private sector

Notes:

Catalyst – need something from someone else – and exchange of knowledge

Trust – IP / Sales

Serendipity and networking – formal and informal

Intermediaries and connectors

‘Chemistry’ willingness to work together OR lack of choice

Mutual benefit

Running out of money is often marker of end of commercial relationship. Often though, collaborations continue, only projects end.

Group D

Kelli Parnham, Showrooms and Workstation

Sean Kelly, Nanofactory

Sue Rainton, Nanofactory

Chris Wilson, Nabarro LLP

Neil Lowrie, University of Sheffield

Ajith, Sheffield Hallam University

Brief Summary of Discussion:

Looking @ the key factors of collaboration

People – good collaboration comes out of strong relationships

Catalyst – common goal reason / resource / solving a social problem

Key Points:

• People – importance of relationship building ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
• Common goal / shared problem to resource ♥♥♥♥♥♥
• Knowledge / resource exchange ♥

Notes:

Collaboration between people not necessarily company to company

People – relationships – trust

Need a reason

Catalyst

Mutual goal

Benefit / exchange

Resolution of a social problem

Money clouds the issue

The want / desire to work together must be a priority

Successful collaborations often build on past relationships often as a catalyst / reason for reviewing the relationship

Knowledge / skill exchange

Awareness and respect for activity / research taking place

Want relationships / difficult to establish trust – exp cold

Communication / commitment respect = impact on project / affects of lack of relationship building

Knowledge exchange – theoretical feedback mechanism – goal spin out research

1.  People
2. Resource
3. Common goal / reason

Session 2

If I was to develop a future collaboration what things would I change?

Group A

Jamie Young, Sheffield Hallam University

Ana Macintosh, BITECIC Ltd

James Wilson, Creative Sheffield

Kelli Parnham, Showrooms and Workstation

Shirley Lindley, Sheffield Hallam

Jenny Morton, University of Sheffield

Key Points:

• Balance between needs of a formal agreement versus the need for engagement and flexibility ♥♥♥♥♥♥
• Communication and understanding needed
• Relationship building time to understand needs and differing cultures, may help to overcome any project difficulties ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Notes:

Agreement in writing re expectations, timescales and outcomes, roles and responsibilities

Should not be brought initially, in order not to stifle engagement, but should be brought fairly early on

[If done] Prior to collaboration [agreement is ] too broad and [there is an] expectation that roles were understood

Danger that if a collaboration [agreement] is too prescriptive, that ideas, progress and innovation may be lost. Also may lose the ability to adapt to a changing environment.

People and personalities are important too, to make things work. Helps to endure difficulties in the project.

Internal project managers / leaders ♥

Plus an overall project manager ♥

Facilitator / broker to manage differing working or social cultures also different priorities / bureaucracy eg between industry and universities.

Group B

Sean Kelly, Nanofactory

Angela Cheung, Pilkington Group Ltd (NSG Group)

Chris Dymond, Technophobia

Neil Lowrie, University of Sheffield

Charlotte Swain, SEG faculty of Engineering

Jean Simpson, University of Sheffield

Key Points:

• Keeping the process fresh and fun ♥♥♥♥♥

• Basic knowledge / understanding by everyone of what collaboration means ♥

• Parking yourself interest [Put aside yourself interest for the interests of the collaboration] ♥♥

Notes:

Understanding by everyone [involved] about collaboration – what it means

Ensure everyone has same goal  ♥

Keep process fresh – working together enjoyable

Signpost elsewhere if not the right partner in the project – [Signpost to another company or organisation if you are not the right partner for a possible collaboration] ♥

Trust – be open to other collaborators

Dealing with NDA’s (none disclosure agreements) – at the appropriate time

Group C

Alex Prince, Sheffield Hallam University

Jim Butler, City of Austin

Rose Nightingale

Chris Wilson, Nabarro LLP

Ajith, Sheffield Hallam

David Curtis, Sheffield Hallam

Key Points:

• Drive and Progression focussed into leadership role ♥♥♥♥

• Absolute clarity of goals and continuous review ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Notes:

Legal Framework

Not a means to an end, approaching things from the wrong end

But can becomes very important from a public sector point of view

Clarity of Goals

As quickly and efficiently as possible define

Constantly review and monitor this on a regular basis

Recognise this can be more complex in a collaboration relationship ♥

Agree appropriate management framework

Clear initial framework, formal or informal

Decision-making and progression monitoring

Group D

Edward Murphy, Mott MacDonald

Chris Simkins, DLA Piper

Sue Rainton, Nanofactory

Joe Dreimann

Andrew King

Key Points:

• Take into account cultural differences ♥♥♥♥

• Collaboration needs to be free!? – the less value involved the smoother the relationship ♥
• Clear division between ownership / outputs – a legal framework

Notes:

If you could take moneys / VC out of the relationship – especially with universities

Relationships with and around universities are becoming foggy

Take into account cultural differences [between companies / organisations / countries ] ♥♥

Got to protect yourself for when things go wrong

Smoothest relationships

Less value involved

Clear division between ownership and contribution 

University collaborations can sometimes lack clear outputs 

Clear legal framework

Join us to help define the Collaboration Centre Network

CollaboJam on the Road is shaping up with five dates in the diary. We are delighted to have a good geographical spread, but are still looking for a few more venues.

Why get involved?

The discussions from these workshops will directly define elements of the Collaboration Centre Network which is one of the three strands of the Sheffield City Region’s CDI Strategy. The workshops are a facilitated discussion on the issues and opportunities that we need to address in establishing the CCN. They will be run by Jag Goraya and myself. At the workshop you will:

• Help define how the Sheffield City Region partners, universities and businesses can work together to create opportunity through the Collaboration Centre Network.
• Learn how businesses and organisations have collaborated to create opportunities and new products.
• Share your practical techniques for successful collaboration and innovation.

Where will we be?  How can I register?

The dates and host venues are listed below. Each workshop is on a Tuesday, starting at 12:30pm and running to 4:30pm. Please select a location to register.

15 Nov The Turbine, Worksop
22 Nov Fusion @ Magna, Rotherham
29 Nov Westthorpe Business Innovation Centre, Killamarsh
06 Dec Church View Centre, Doncaster
13 Dec Matrix, Dinnington

Refreshments will be provided, but we ask you to bring your own lunch.

Who should take part

We are keen to take into account as wide a range of views and experiences as possible. The  workshops are open to individuals, businesses and organisations of all sizes who either produce, use or consume the tools, techniques, products or services of the creative and digital industries. This could include (but is not limited to):

• startups and freelancers, as well as established and growing businesses
• research groups and academic communities
• local authorities and public service providers
• third sector organisations, including social enterprises, charities and voluntary groups
• workspace, office hub and innovation space managers
• investors, funders and business support services

Space is limited, so only one registration per organisation please.

CTRL-ALT-Run: The Business of Apps

Mean while we continue to collaborate with the SVC2UK team. This time we are supporting an afternoon of Master classes investigating the business of apps. The half day event is open to all but places are very limited (45 max) so please register here.