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July 1, 2009
June 25, 2009
Intellectual Property - the genie is out of the bottle
Following the Invest Northern Ireland Protect your IP seminars, I wrote a piece for the Belfast Telegraph which has just been published.
You can find it here:
June 23, 2009
Doing a very short 3 question survey for a friend on potential web and mobile phone training in Northern Ireland.
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June 22, 2009
Talking it up and taking action - searching for a way forward for emerging industries in Northern Ireland
There have been two notable posts/publications in recent week by people from involved in the NI Tech Industry. Writing in the Belfast Telegraph David Kirk says
“I know from decades of experience in the tech industry in the USA, that without clear vision and bold leadership, many brilliant opportunities are left fallow.
In Northern Ireland it is particularly true; it’s not from lack of talent, ideas or from wanting to succeed. In many cases it is simply because it is not clear how to progress those opportunities and how to see ambition and visual success. In the past six months I’ve seen some world-class opportunities that “just don’t fit” into a standard envelope, requiring cross-functional this, or cross-organisation that, or didn’t have the right boxes ticked. Northern Ireland is too small to waste opportunities like this. You know what they say, when one door closes another bangs shut. I’m tired of hearing slamming doors — it’s time to jam them open.”
Norman Apsley who heads up the Northern Ireland Science Park wrote in his Blog - also published in the Newsletter
Lots of people want to see Northern Ireland companies grow and succeed. But how do you translate goodwill into firm actions? If smaller, private investors/ex-pats wanted to help support local start ups, how do they go about doing that? How can NI best support the next generation wantrepreneur?
These questions, and more besides, were part of an email conversation going backwards and forwards this week. Involved in the conversation were some NI-born hi-tech and highly successful entrepreneurs now living abroad, and a few local people involved in local tech and innovation – here’s a snapshot of what things look like from their perspective…
These are people of influence who have the good of new and emerging tech industries at the heart of what they do. It is time to talk up what is going on and to follow that with action. But action needs to be co-ordinated and considered. This is a call for visible, measurable movement.
Count me in.
June 13, 2009
Report on Radio Ulster’s Your Place and Mine programme on Try a Sail
Back to radio for me; and it was the best fun I have had in ages. To Bangor for the Sea Bangor Maritime Festival to record some school children trying out sailing. Download the MP3 here or stream it from BBC iPlayer until 20 June.
June 11, 2009
Digital Mission Regional Tour - Belfast, Wed 17th June, 5 pm
LIFTED FROM DIGITALCIRCLE.ORG
Title: Digital Mission Regional Tour
Location: The Presidents Club, Midtown Centre, 25 Talbot Street, Belfast
Link out: Click here
Description: A series of regional workshops are happening around the UK to talk about the Digital Mission series to the USA taking place in Autumn 2009 and Spring 2010.
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2009-06-17
End Time: 19:00
The events are a perfect opportunity to find out more about the Digital Missions, their objectives and talk to those who’ve had the opportunity to attend a previous mission. After the Digital Mission seminar, there will be a Q & A session for any further questions not covered and to round the evening off, some informal networking with drinks.
This event is free to attend but requires registration. Date: Wednesday, 17th June 2009 Time: 5pm - 7pm (networking until 8:30pm) Venue: The Presidents Club (http://www.the-presidents-club.com/) Digital Missions are a series of trade missions organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Chinwag. They are specifically designed for UK-headquartered digital SME’s. The missions support overseas expansion, help companies gain a thorough understanding of the local market, attract investment and promote themselves to key players on the international digital scene.
Questions? Please contact Chinwag on +442071832923 or email: mission@chinwag.com For more information about the Digital Missions please see: http://digital-mission.org For more information about UK Trade & Investment, please visit: https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/
June 6, 2009
There is something about September.
I don’t write about politics.
Over the last few weeks UK politicians have been pulling themselves to pieces over their nasty petty ego driven politics which has (deliberately?) over shadowed the real problems we face (the crappest economic conditions for almost 100 years). During that time, I have been talking to people; ordinary people who work for a living, who run businesses, who are trying and devising start-ups, new products and new ideas. You know – the people who actually drive the economy and take no credit as opposed to the politicians who tinker with it to favour their cronies, break it and when it is working take credit for it.
There is one clear message coming through from the many business people I have spoken to. Largely they are from the emerging industries, but not exclusively. “After the summer it will start getting better.” Nothing much is happening now; we are beginning to think about taking a summer break. But when the schools go back – in September it will start getting better. That’s the view – hope? – of many. It’s not based on research; it’s not based on economic analysis. It’s based on a feeling and optimism. And what drives a successful economy? (Well, apart from good products that people want to buy and the people who want to buy them having enough money to do that.)
What drives a successful economy is positive attitudes and optimism – it must be, because look what happened when it all turned to pessimism. So, if the infighting politicians screw that for us – well damn them all.
But I don’t write about politics and I don’t know anything about economics. But people tell me it’s going to start getting better in September.
June 2, 2009
Digital Circle Internationalisation (Export) Group
The first Internationalisation group meeting will be on 11 June at Invest NI’s HQ. I’ll be chairing and will be joined by Matt Scott from igen.tv, Darryl Collins from Banjax.com, Paul Hamilton from cruciblepictures.co.uk, and Michael McGlade from yellowdesign.tv.
The invitation is still open to anyone else who wants to join the group. Coming to one meeting does not mean you sign up for life. Missing the first does not exclude you from subsequent meetings.
But do not turn up on the day. I’ll need to let INI reception know who will be there a couple of days ahead. So, deadline for this meeting early on 9th June.
May 29, 2009
picamp
I could only stay for the first hour of picamp on Wednesday. Picamp is an off shoot of Slugger O’Toole . While I wish I could have stayed longer, it looks as if this is the beginning rather than a one off.
And good to see Hearts and Minds there; it has aleays been the most forward looking of political programmes.
If you look hard at the video, you will see designer of www.davysims.co.uk @goodonpaper in the top left hand box at one point. Plus @alaninbelfast and @keithbelfast who gets a speaking role.
The video is here
May 18, 2009
Intellectual Property - protect and exploit it in the Digital, Film, TV and Music business
Invest Northern Ireland have just issued this invitation. Places are limited and this is a really interesting and valuable event.
I shall be your humble host at both events. Be there or be uninformed …
Venue: Conor Lecture Theatre, University of Ulster , York Street, Belfast Date: 16th June: Time 8.30am – 1.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre MF231, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry Date: 17th June: Time 8.30am – 1.30pm
Most businesses generate and own intellectual property. In the development stage of any product it is important to ensure that you do not infringe any third party copyright and your intellectual property is fully protected. Creative individuals and businesses should, therefore, be protecting their designs, brands, logos, software and content creations.
At these free of charge seminars you will hear from experts specialising in IP protection in the creative and digital industry sectors. You will find out how your mental and creative outputs are tangible commodities that you can licence, sell, or trade and how to retain your rights. You will also hear real life stories of those who are working in the industry and developing products and applications. There will be the opportunity for some short 1 to 1’s with the speakers during and after lunch. These include:
Malcolm Barclay is a pioneer in the fast growing ‘App Economy’ and has created Tube Deluxe, which helps Londoners find their way across the capital’s underground system. He built this paid application after starting with a free app, Tube Status, which has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Right now, he’s getting around 11,000 downloads a month for Tube Deluxe, earning him about £4,000. Malcolm is a freelance software developer who usually works for major corporations but has taken a couple of months out to see if he can make it as an iphone app developer. He’s put many hours into building his application in the kitchen of his London flat, which has become a temporary development studio.
Andrew Ferris, founder of Smalltown America, an independent record label based in Derry and London. Their aim is to cultivate a self-sustainable business model through which artists can release the best records they can possibly produce. Andrew recently secured a five album deal with Atlantic Records for Derry band Fighting with Wire.
Other speakers are Marice Cumber – Director and Founder of Own-IT, Matthew Forde – Media and IP lawyer, Forde Campbell LLP, Davy Sims - former BBC producer and Stuart Worthington (Derry only) – Leading Authority on Music Management. You will also hear how Invest Northern Ireland can help you in this area.
This event is being held in conjunction with the University of Ulster. Register online at http://www.investni.com/registration or phone Morrow Communications at 028 9039 3837
