• Lord Sainsbury Endorses Connect - Lord Sainsbury of Turville’s Report “The Race to the Top” has been approved by Gordon Brown on behalf of the Government.  The UK Government’s response fully accepted the report and agreed to fund the recommendations.  The report reviewed of the UK science and innovation system.  It examines the role of science and innovation in ensuring that the UK remains competitive in our increasingly globalized economy.  Lord Sainsbury has followed the Connect model for some time and delivered the keynote speech in the 2004 Global Connect Conference.  Recommendation 9.5 – Drawing on the success of the Connect scheme in San Diego, RDA’s should support high growth potential entrepreneurs similar to the Connect Service.
  
  
• Connect Yorkshire recently published its 2007 Annual Report.  It has assisted local companies raise over £8 Million in investments in the last 12 months.
  
  
• BT Business became a Prime Partner of Connect Midlands – BT recently signed a Prime Partnership Sponsorship deal with Connect Midlands through to 2009.

Connect has taken over running the Secretariat of South London Innovation Partnership (SLIP)

SLIP brings together all organizations that are involved with Innovation.  It acts as a conduit to allow information on innovation initiatives to be communicated to other partners and their clients/contacts.  Connect believes that SLIP will become an important component of an Innovation Cluster that will be able to assist existing businesses deal with the problems of the economy and come out stronger and fitter for the upswing.  In addition SLIP members will be able to help new entrepreneurs develop ideas.  SLIP has always acted as an efficient vehicle to be able to collect feedback from the LDA and other public and private sector organizations.

Springboard to Recovery (S2R)

Connect London has designed a Seminar to help existing companies survive the recession and come out Fitter.  The course is modelled on the design of the Springboard Programme but focused towards making existing companies more effective by introducing Innovation at each part of the business model.  Connect is seeking organizations that are able to fund the delivery of this programme in their own area.  Contact James Gardner M: 07919 417555 james.gardner@connectlondon.org

DUIS and Gordon Brown Support Connect London

See following letter of support received from DUIS: