Knowledge Exchange Lessons The Fuse Manifesto

creative & digital collaboration FUSION ORIGINS – IN THE BEGINNING The Fuse: Igniting High Growth for Creative, Digital and Information Technology Industries in the UK CIHE, September 2010 London Creative and Digital Fusion - £5.8M ERDF GLA (50%) funded: October 2012 – March 2015

creative & digital collaboration FUSION - THE PARTNERS CORE DELIVERYTEAM CREATE PHASE

creative & digital collaboration Top 10 UK University with Local; National and International Delivery Delivered 46 ERDF Projects worth over £32M since 1998 Currently leading 7 ERDF projects and major £32M Regional Growth Fund Programme establishing 15 Growth Hubs across England Delivered support to over 5,000 SMEs Leading to 4,300 jobs created and 4,800 safeguarded ERDF ISO9001 ERDF project management procedures Lancaster University Management School – Triple Accredited - GOLD Small Business Charter Status LANCASTER UNIVERSITY – LEAD PARTNER

creative & digital collaboration THE DELIVERY MODEL First Contact INSPIRE FUSECREATE. Supported Collaborations Support Interactive Workshops

creative & digital collaboration Real, measurable, deliverables ……. PROJECT TARGETS DeliverableTargetAchieved*% New jobs % Jobs Safeguarded % New products or services % Increased GVA€ % Companies with 12 hours assists %

creative & digital collaboration CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY Strong recruitment from “creative rather than digital industries”. Creative/tech collaborations difficult to establish. Issues of business knowledge within micros and freelancers. Support landscape in London- not co-ordinated. Network of networks – London is a very busy space. BUT: Support highly valued by companies. New collaborations Positive feedback for LU project management systems Delivered against targets ! ‘successful in creating a community in London’

creative & digital collaboration WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE? Three aspects from London Creative and Digital Fusion: The nature knowledge exchange in the Sector The use of Vouchers The use of ERDF funds for a programme like this

creative & digital collaboration WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED (1)? Creative Drive versus Commercial Reality Basic business support alongside specialist: Marketing Sales Innovation in service businesses

creative & digital collaboration WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED (2)? Using Vouchers ( with thanks to colleagues at Queen Mary University of London): London Fusion adopted a “mediated” model Collaborative approach on each side – by company and HEI Greatest impact: Business readiness Institutional Capacity for short-term support Growth takes time and dedication of time and resources by the company (absorptive capacity). It is all about PEOPLE!

creative & digital collaboration WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED (3)? Using ERDF funding for an innovative programme: It isn’t for the faint hearted! Investment in management and systems is high Only 3 things matter: Valued support that meets business needs Meeting the targets Doing the paperwork to evidence Short-term funding implications – for the team; for the businesses supported and for impact Collaborative projects – are all about the PEOPLE!

creative & digital collaboration SUCCESS STORIES Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Most Innovative Idea, British Young Business Awards 2013 Ones to Watch (IoT15): Audiowings Sensory Design and Technology Branding Design Award

creative & digital collaboration London Creative and Digital Fusion: THE STORY: Pick up your copy today!