We were asked by the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Coburg in the North East of Bavaria to help them with the strategic planning for a technology park in Coburg. The City has traditionally been difficult to access due to its location near the former border to the GDR and far from major centres of economic activity. Due to the reunification of Germany, its geopolitical location has changed radically and it is now in easy access to industrial concentrations in Thurimgia, one of the five new German Lander.
The French regional development agency, DATAR, was keen to continue to build on the reputation and success of the Sophia Antipolis Science Park near Nice. After reviewing a number of options, it decided to proceed with the planning of a major new science park in the nearby department of VAR. Under the SPRINT Programme SQW was invited to participate in the feasibility study on this major (8000 hectare) development.
Following initial work commissioned directly by World Bank, the Government of Croatia retained the services of SQW to advise BICRO on its business planning. BICRO is a national technology support organisation set up by the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage various technology and SME support programmes implemented under the Ministry, mainly through World bank funding. These include a cost sharing grant scheme to stimulate demand from SMEs for technology services, and a programme to support joint research projects involving research institutes, universities and private sector partners.
SPINNO is the major Estonian programme designed to promote knowledge transfer from the higher education and research sector. The second phase of funding began in 2005.
Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) provide a range of services including R&D to single clients in the public and private sector, and to groups of firms.
SQW was commissioned to make inputs to preparation of a World Bank technology development project for Croatia. Specifically, we were asked to review existing technology service centres, and develop proposals for their further development, and for related support to new and small technology based firms, including provision of incubator space for new businesses, and establishment of a seed fund.
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been characterised by an emphasis on the regeneration and economic benefits which they have the potential to bring to the UK, to London and in particular to the Host Boroughs of East and South East London. In July 2012, SQW was commissioned by the Greater London Authority to undertake an evaluation of 2012 Games-time employment, and in particular the extent to which employment opportunities were secured by previously workless Londoners. The evaluation also assessed post-Games employment support provision and the degree to which the event has the potential to leave a lasting…
The Capital Region of Denmark is an administrative body covering Copenhagen and the surrounding region. Its responsibilities include healthcare in the Region and, through the Centre for Innovation and Research, it works closely with the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Technical University on the commercialisation of hospital and university R&D The three organisations were concerned that their commercialisation efforts and achievements were not understood fully by stakeholders and interested parties and we were commissioned by the Capital region to review progress (including comparisons with the UK) and to advise on how activities mighty be enhanced. SQW collaborated with David…
SQW was appointed to work for the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport, Tourism and Development on a capacity building project to prepare Croatian beneficiaries to benefit from support to be granted by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The projects were clustered in three areas: Business development, community development and infrastructure.
SQW was commissioned to undertake this pan-European research and dissemination project which is focused on local and regional initiatives for promoting energy efficiency through the direct and enabling roles of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It involves the preparation of case studies, guidance and a wiki resource. SQW leads a partnership with ICLEI and the Regional Environment Centre (REC).
