Having an idea, even a good one, is just the start.
As I sit here pondering next moves, I had to suppress a chortle at this just-in email which, in earlier times, would have had me possibly reaching for my chequebook:
xxx - where entrepreneurs and investors meet
Dear Peter
With just under two weeks to go until our next xx Event, we are seeking wilful entrepreneurs with good strong ideas to step forward and grab with both hands, the opportunity to find investment from some of the best Angel Investors the Midlands has to offer.
If you have not already registered for the event, click here. The event costs £799 +VAT which includes help developing your business plan, and attendance at our pitching workshop.
Now, older, wiser, and poorer, I have a more cautious view on where money gets 'invested', by whom, and why.
Also wonder if the really meant 'wilful'? Perhaps, considering the 'deal' proposed, they did.
Showing posts with label Junkk - FUNDING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Junkk - FUNDING. Show all posts
Monday, May 09, 2011
Friday, November 27, 2009
Reuse gaining favour again?
I have Dave of Solarventi to thank for this:
An £800,000 programme has been launched to ensure more household goods will be reused and recycled across Scotland.
Recycling agency WRAP Scotland has been given the cash from the £7.5 million INCREASE III fund to encourage community organisations to improve infrastructure for collecting and reusing furniture, white goods, carpets and other household items.
Grants can cover up to 50% of the eligible project costs and will be focused on innovative ideas that:
Work in partnership with local authorities to recover items for reuse from civic amenity sites, such as household waste and recycling centres.
Fill gaps in current service provision, either geographically or by type of household item.
Announcing the new fund, Environment Secretary Richard Lochheart said:
“Reusing furniture and household goods is a perfect example of a simple, cost-effective step that can be taken to help us reach our goal of a Zero Waste Scotland.
“This latest round of investment will specifically target areas where reuse facilities are not up to scratch, encouraging the public to reuse and recycle rather than dump their furniture and household goods which are often still in working order.”
Funding will be allocated through a single bidding round. Applications must be submitted by 8 January 2010.
For further information about the programme, visit the WRAP Scotland website (opens a new window)
Source: Scottish Government, 13/11/2009
Not certain quangos I cold mention, who have in the past done their best to ignore me, and my efforts, even to help them in theirs. But I shall persevere.
An £800,000 programme has been launched to ensure more household goods will be reused and recycled across Scotland.
Recycling agency WRAP Scotland has been given the cash from the £7.5 million INCREASE III fund to encourage community organisations to improve infrastructure for collecting and reusing furniture, white goods, carpets and other household items.
Grants can cover up to 50% of the eligible project costs and will be focused on innovative ideas that:
Work in partnership with local authorities to recover items for reuse from civic amenity sites, such as household waste and recycling centres.
Fill gaps in current service provision, either geographically or by type of household item.
Announcing the new fund, Environment Secretary Richard Lochheart said:
“Reusing furniture and household goods is a perfect example of a simple, cost-effective step that can be taken to help us reach our goal of a Zero Waste Scotland.
“This latest round of investment will specifically target areas where reuse facilities are not up to scratch, encouraging the public to reuse and recycle rather than dump their furniture and household goods which are often still in working order.”
Funding will be allocated through a single bidding round. Applications must be submitted by 8 January 2010.
For further information about the programme, visit the WRAP Scotland website (opens a new window)
Source: Scottish Government, 13/11/2009
Not certain quangos I cold mention, who have in the past done their best to ignore me, and my efforts, even to help them in theirs. But I shall persevere.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Baby steps
Little increments.
Individually maybe not so significant, but cumulatively...
Got a call the other day from a lovely chap, who edits the newsletter for the IPO (Intellectual Property Office).
He was interested as much in my journey with RE:tie as much as the product itself.
Enough to stretch to two long chats.
With luck, it will result in some PR, and to some useful folk. Baby steps.
And in the course of this he mentioned some invention (especially 'green' related) resources I was not aware of, which I happily pass on here:
Low Carbon Innovation Centre. Good guys. http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200903/ipinsight-200903-3.htm
Plus some info on speed patents (which now apply to clean tech in particular): http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200905/ipinsight-200905-4.htm
And a recycling case study: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200901/ipinsight-200901-4.htm
Individually maybe not so significant, but cumulatively...
Got a call the other day from a lovely chap, who edits the newsletter for the IPO (Intellectual Property Office).
He was interested as much in my journey with RE:tie as much as the product itself.
Enough to stretch to two long chats.
With luck, it will result in some PR, and to some useful folk. Baby steps.
And in the course of this he mentioned some invention (especially 'green' related) resources I was not aware of, which I happily pass on here:
Low Carbon Innovation Centre. Good guys. http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200903/ipinsight-200903-3.htm
Plus some info on speed patents (which now apply to clean tech in particular): http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200905/ipinsight-200905-4.htm
And a recycling case study: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200901/ipinsight-200901-4.htm
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The sound of a distant bandwagon being drummed?
Business Link: Lord Sugar is on the warpath!
How!... er... How?
How! was one of my favourite programmes; it showed you how to make things.
Warpaths are good. But other than saying the two sides are lacking, I'd be a tad more interested in the how of making things, and better.
With luck, one indeed hopes we might get to learn this too, in due course. Otherwise, it's just finger pointing, and for all the use of that, I have another way it might be directed.
And speaking of rubbish, I have an app for that... one that suggests it need not be a dirty word:)
How!... er... How?
How! was one of my favourite programmes; it showed you how to make things.
Warpaths are good. But other than saying the two sides are lacking, I'd be a tad more interested in the how of making things, and better.
With luck, one indeed hopes we might get to learn this too, in due course. Otherwise, it's just finger pointing, and for all the use of that, I have another way it might be directed.
And speaking of rubbish, I have an app for that... one that suggests it need not be a dirty word:)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Talking the talk, walking the dog
A few decades back, a Unipart commercial scrolled up my TV screen and then, at the end, proudly exclaimed: 'The answer's yes... now what's the question?'.
Now I return to these shores after a career spanning the world, it would be 'The answer is no, as it might go wrong and I'll be blamed'.
And after waaaay too many sessions (funded by the taxpayer) with various quangos and their employees, despite their being in an ideal position to matchmake complementary talents, they all still give me 5 half days just to drop dosh on me so long as I tick a box, and totally fail to understand that what makes innovation pay is a team that takes creation to sale; and not every good idea is generated by a person capable of, much less skilled in drawing up 10 year projections that suggest targets that need to be set but never met once signed off.
Now I return to these shores after a career spanning the world, it would be 'The answer is no, as it might go wrong and I'll be blamed'.
And after waaaay too many sessions (funded by the taxpayer) with various quangos and their employees, despite their being in an ideal position to matchmake complementary talents, they all still give me 5 half days just to drop dosh on me so long as I tick a box, and totally fail to understand that what makes innovation pay is a team that takes creation to sale; and not every good idea is generated by a person capable of, much less skilled in drawing up 10 year projections that suggest targets that need to be set but never met once signed off.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
CATEGORY - Funding
Already a lot on blog in this area. Time to pull it together.
Articles
Guardian - Activists slam changes to green grants - Isn't a BERR an irritating thing that sticks to you to spread everywhere? The enviROI of the investment into the department vs. the benefit out would seem... less than optimal.
ps: sub-editors: I don't really feel that I am an activist, nor to I 'slam'. I am a concerned consumer and informed advocate of sensible enviro-practices. Stop waving silly, stirring sentences about!
BBC - Anger over climate change loans - Bit O/T, but I had nowhere else to stick it. Makes you wonder about the value of some paper things get printed on these days.
Grants
The 2008 CIP Eco-Innovation Call has been published - your chance to apply for funding for your eco-innovative pilot and market replication projects this year.
government-grants.co.uk - NEW - plus twitter
Resources
innocentive - have an invention? They may have the money. RE:tie ho!
raisecapital.com - but still, caution all round! Lock down your IP.
Resource Efficiency
Articles
Guardian - Activists slam changes to green grants - Isn't a BERR an irritating thing that sticks to you to spread everywhere? The enviROI of the investment into the department vs. the benefit out would seem... less than optimal.
ps: sub-editors: I don't really feel that I am an activist, nor to I 'slam'. I am a concerned consumer and informed advocate of sensible enviro-practices. Stop waving silly, stirring sentences about!
BBC - Anger over climate change loans - Bit O/T, but I had nowhere else to stick it. Makes you wonder about the value of some paper things get printed on these days.
Grants
The 2008 CIP Eco-Innovation Call has been published - your chance to apply for funding for your eco-innovative pilot and market replication projects this year.
government-grants.co.uk - NEW - plus twitter
Resources
innocentive - have an invention? They may have the money. RE:tie ho!
raisecapital.com - but still, caution all round! Lock down your IP.
Resource Efficiency
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)