Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) launches the Northern Territory-Isis SME Innovation Mentoring Programme

1st August 2014

Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) is pleased to announce the launch of a new programme to provide innovation management and mentoring support to innovative high growth potential SMEs in the Northern Territory, Australia (NT).

The Programme

The NT-Isis SME Innovation Mentoring Programme is a one-year programme of coaching and mentoring support delivered by experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals from Isis’ extensive international networks.

The Department of Business, Northern Territory Government has established a number of Business Innovation Support Initiatives (BISI). Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) is partnering with selected NT companies to provide consultancy services under these initiatives.

Typically the package of support from Isis will be delivered in two phases:

Phase A – Knowledge Transfer, Mentor Assignment and Project Scoping

This first phase allows Isis and the company to share information on the business history and plans for development.

Isis will then recommend an appropriate mentor to work with the company to agree the scope and objectives of a practical innovation management support project.

Subsequent meetings between mentor and client will take place via conference call and/or email communication.

Phase B: Project Support and Ongoing Mentoring

Once a programme of work has been agreed through Phase A the client company can elect to enter phase B, the delivery of project support and ongoing mentoring. Depending on the SMEs needs, areas of project support could include:

• Fundraising support – the most common issue faced by growing business is access to finance. The mentor can streamline access to grants and investment, advise on sources of funding, coach SME’s through the fundraising process and prepare SME’s for meetings with granting bodies and venture investors by providing input into business plans and funding pitches.
• International marketing – another common issue is expansion into overseas markets. The mentor can provide export advice and assist in the recruitment of agents, distributors and resellers. Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) has a particular strong presence in the large and growing markets in Asia with offices and joint ventures in China, Hong Kong and Japan.
• International technology transfer – the mentor can help companies find complementary technologies or products sourced from throughout the world. The mentor can also help mediate technology transfer deals including licensing agreements or the creation of new joint ventures.
• Product localisation and new product development – large companies have experience of managing innovation pipelines, developing rigorous business proposals, managing internal and external R&D programmes, maximising supply chains efficiencies and working with product design consultancies. This experience is often lacking in clusters of SME’s and is available from our mentors.

As a beneficiary of BISI support companies will also have access to local peer support, through the newly created Business Innovation Network developed by interested companies and facilitated by the Department of Business. Here SME leaders will have the opportunity to gain insights from other local entrepreneurs and peers.

Enquiries to:

Helen Ujvary, Australian Representative
Oxford University Innovation (Hong Kong) Ltd
Helen.Ujvary@innovation.ox.ac.uk
T: +61 (0)419 824 583

 

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