The afternoon session will give a chance to better focus the discussion around thematic roundtables devoted to “Regional Smart Specialisation and Science and Technology Parks” and to “Building partnerships for growth: technology-based business development”. The program foresees also a third thematic roundtable whose theme will be identified by the participants according to a participatory approach to be adopted before and during the workshop.
Thematic roundtable 1
Regional Smart Specialisation and Science and Technology Parks
Moderator: Stephen Taylor – Director Technology Transfer Department AREA Science Park
The first thematic roundtable, dedicated to “Regional Smart Specialisation and Science and Technology Parks” will examine the role Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation can play in the delivery of the European Commission’s vision of Smart Specialisation, which is defined on the “Smart Specialisation Platform” as follows:
“Smart Specialisation is a strategic approach to economic development through targeted support to Research and Innovation (R&I). It will be the basis for Structural Fund investments in R&I as part of the future Cohesion Policy’s contribution to the Europe 2020 jobs and growth agenda.
More generally, smart specialisation involves a process of developing a vision, identifying competitive advantage, setting strategic priorities and making use of smart policies to maximise the knowledge-based development potential of any region, strong or weak, high-tech or low-tech.”
It is clear that Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation can offer much to further the objectives of Smart Specialisation. They can act as hubs around which Smart Specialisation can grow, facilitators of Smart Specialisation Programs or centres of excellence where the core competences necessary for Smart Specialisation can be concentrated. We shall discuss existing and potential future strategies to exploit the full potential of Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation as drivers and enablers of Smart Specialisation.
Thematic roundtable 2
Building partnerships for growth: technology-based business development
Moderator: Iztok Lesjak – Director Technology Park Ljubljana
The second thematic roundtable will examine the role Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation can play in supporting the growth of their partners and tenants by means of specific services and activities meant to support growth and international collaborations. To assist an active global company growth targeted assistance and encouragement should be provided. However, entering foreign markets is no easy task. We will examine the financial, training, infrastructure and community aspect for global growth.
We shall discuss successful public and private sources for tenant companies’ international growth services development. Some possible financial sources can be derived from more focused and targeted EU projects, through international entrepreneurial competitions and networks, joining accelerators, summer schools, investment forums and also through exchange of good practices…
Empowering each company with the know-how to ensure a successful entry to the target foreign market is of great importance. We will discuss the way of training and mentoring program at home and then accessing the local services abroad.
Sooner or later each company must formally organise its operations abroad, therefore not only the infrastructure but also trustworthy partners are needed. The international association of Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation is a perfect community for serving tenant companies building international partnerships for growth with exchanging programs, infrastructure and services for collaboration on a reciprocity base.
Thematic roundtable 3
To be eventually defined on the basis of the interests and experiences of the participants.
