Links

For industry-related associations and organisations please click on the URL links below to visit the websites online. If you would like to add a new link to this site please email the web address to info@ukspa.org.uk


Professional Organisations

London Innovation Relay Centre is your local gateway to the IRC Network, opening up extensive technology and business channels to stimulate technology transfer and promote innovation across Europe. We work with organisations across Central and Greater London to help you:

• find innovative new-to-world technologies
• sell or licence your own innovations, or
• enter into joint development arrangements with appropriate partners across Europe

Our team of industry-experienced Technology Consultants work with organisations across all sectors to establish their technological needs and wants. The London IRC confidentially links London-based companies to 75 other centres across Europe, with client companies keen to innovate. The IRC’s free online Tech Watch and Tech Search services allows businesses to search and access the latest technologies on offer or requested, across their specific industry sector and field.
www.london-irc.org

Invest UK Research and Development
Provides easy access to UK R&D in eleven key sectors.
www.ukinvest.gov.uk/gateway/index.html

UKAEA Fusion and Industry
The UKAEA's Fusion laboratory at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire is a world class centre of engineering excellence, where UK and other European scientists are undertaking pioneering research into fusion power. The research is jointly funded by Euratom and the Office of Science and Technology, part of the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). A world leader in fusion research, Culham Science Centre brings together a wide range of engineering technologies and skills. Start-up technology companies at the Innovation Centre are able to draw on the problem-solving expertise from one of the world's greatest engineering challenges to assist their business. The Fusion and Industry team are here to help with your enquiries, explain the services we offer and introduce you to a network of expertise.
www.fusion.org.uk/industry

IPAWorld
The leading portal site for professionals active in economic development and inward investment.
www.IPAWorld.com


Other Organisations and Government Departments

Innovation UK
Working  in association with UKTI with support from the Technology Strategy Board and KTN’s across the UK
www.innovationuk.org

DTI
The site of the Department of Trade & Industry.
www.dti.gov.uk

CBI
The site of the Confederation of British Industry.
www.cbi.com

RICS
The site of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
www.rics.org.uk

UK Business Incubation
The site of the United Kingdom Business Incubation Unit.
www.ukbi.co.uk

The London Stock Exchange
A site for the buying and selling of shares.
www.londonstockexchange.com

BVCA
British Venture Capital Association.
www.bvca.co.uk

IASP
The International Association of Science Parks.
www.iasp.ws

The British Council website now hosts an updated version of its Guide to the Organisation of Science, Engineering and Technology in the United Kingdom. The Guide offers a comprehensive picture of the way in which science and technology is organised in the UK, with links to the websites of over 500 organisations listed. You can use the guide to find out how UK research is funded and how advice is given to government on scientific matters. These pages also provide information about how devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is influencing UK science, engineering and technology. Follow the links to find out about the latest developments in UK science, from the UK science media, Government, or from the scientists themselves. Access the guide at: www.britishcouncil.org/gost

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK Government’s leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences: www.epsrc.ac.uk
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)
The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) is the UK’s strategic science investment agency. By directing, coordinating and funding research, education and training in particle physics and astronomy, PPARC delivers world-leading science, technologies and people for the UK: www.pparc.ac.uk
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) delivers independent research, survey, training and knowledge transfer in the environmental sciences, to advance knowledge of Planet Earth as a complex, interacting system: www.nerc.ac.uk
The Medical Research Council (MRC)
The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) is a national organisation funded by the UK taxpayer. MRC promote research into all areas of medical related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK Public and contributing to the wealth of the nation: www.mrc.ac.uk
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funds research and training in social and economic issues. ESRC have an International reputation for providing high-quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government and for our commitment to training excellence, which produces world-class social scientists: www.esrc.ac.uk
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK’s principal funder of basic and strategic biological research. To deliver its mission, BBSRC supports research and research training in Universities and Research Centres throughout the UK, including BBSRC sponsored institutes, and promotes knowledge transfer from research to applications in business, industry and policy and public engagement in the biosciences: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC)
The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) is one of Europe’s largest multidisciplinary research organisations supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. It operates world-class large-scale research facilities, provides strategic advice to the government on their development and manages international research projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK research community: www.cclrc.ac.uk

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) distributes public money for teaching and research to Universities and Colleges. In doing so, it aims to promote high quality education and research within a financially healthy sector. The council also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice.
www.hefce.ac.uk

CaSE – Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK
A pressure group aiming to improve the scientific health of the UK by communicating to Parliament and the nation as a whole the economic and cultural importance of scientific and technological research and development, and the vital need for the funding of this research by Government and industry.
www.sciencecampaign.org.uk

CORDIS
CORDIS, the Community Research & Development Information Service, a service of the Publications Office of the European Union, offers access to research and development funding programmes of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). CORDIS keeps you up-to-date with the latest news, progress and initiatives in European research and development activities and funding opportunities for SMEs.
http://cordis.europa.eu

Yorkshire Science
Yorkshire Science champions the use of innovation in all aspects of business to increase the competitiveness of the Yorkshire and Humber region. We created the Regional Innovation Strategy to highlight specific areas businesses need to address to become more successful.
www.yorkshire-science.com

London Biotechnology Network
The London Biotechnology Network (LBN) is a business network of over 800 organisations and 2000 individuals from all facets of the industry: academic, biopharma, professional services, finance, law and facilities. The LBN strives to provide members with relevant information and networking opportunities to foster industry interactions and innovation.
www.londonbiotechnology.co.uk


General Information

The Chilli
The Platform for high-tech and media entrepreneurs.
www.thechilli.com

Financial Times
The official website of the FT. A good source of general business and financial information.
www.ft.com/home/uk

Multimap
The site to find any location in the UK. It also contains a Street Atlas of London.
www.multimap.com

The AA
The site of the Automobile Association. Useful if you need a hotel to stay at or want travel information.
www.theaa.co.uk

Oultwood
Links to Local Authority web sites in the UK, Eire and other commonwealth countries.
www.oultwood.com

Science | Business
Online news service that reports on early-stage investment in R&D across Europe and around the world.
www.sciencebusiness.net

Think Big
Think Big works with companies in the Thames Gateway Objective 2 area, to help them exploit ideas and profit from innovation. They help companies to:
- identify opportunities for product, service and process innovation
- source technology, find development partners and apply solutions
- develop strategies to access new markets
- access know-how and resources in universities
www.thinkbig-itg.org


Companies

Mediascope Ltd
Enterprise of the Year 1999. Experts in Software Development, Internet services, Modeling and animation, Multimedia, Consultation and Training.
www.mediascopeltd.com

NSSF - The National Standardization Strategic Framework is an initiative to help UK business gain a competitive advantage by making the most of standards and standardisation. For further information visit www.nssf.info.

Real Education
A website produced to help students interested in studying a UK course or qualification.
www.realeducationdir.co.uk

scienceprospects.com
A UK-based jobsite that advertises science jobs from across the whole UK. They provide science employers with a job posting service and have a large database of CVs from professional scientists available for searching. Candidates can register and receive job alerts and help with CVs and interview techniques.
www.scienceprospects.com

Standards and Intellectual Property Rights: A Practical Guide for Innovative Business
A new guide on standards and intellectual property rights is now available FREE online from the DTI and the British Standards Institution (BSI). The guide sets out the options a business has to make the most of its innovative ideas using standards and intellectual property rights. The guide takes the reader step-by-step through the options available to exploit the innovation during its lifecycle and includes case studies from business. The guide was developed jointly by DTI, BSI and the Patent Office as part of the National Standardization Strategic Framework (NSSF), which aims to increase the competitiveness and success of UK business by exploiting standards and standardisation.

The guide is available free in PDF format via the NSSF website: click here

Techscribe
Professional technical writer for bespoke software products.
www.techscribe.co.uk