Connecting you to new opportunities
through Enterprise Europe Network in London

Welcome to the London Innovation Network e-newsletter which we hope will tell you more about the services available to you, helping your business to grow, innovate and succeed!

Earlier in the year Digital Forming, a software development company specialising in mass customisation and distribution of consumer products, were looking for critical funding to continue their development of a number of new technologies which would bring them to business towards the end of 2009. Through support from the London Innovation Network, the company has accessed £50,000.

Digital Forming set out to develop a set of 3D software solutions for retail organisations which will allow consumers to determine how they want their products – from its design, colour, physical layout and functions – and have it manufactured according to these needs. This technology will eventually be licensed to consumer facing brands allowing their customers to customise their range of products.

Having contacted the London Innovation Network Digital Forming received a free one-to-one with our expert European Funding Manager and was advised of the most appropriate funding source. Having provided feedback on their proposal, the Network further assisted the company by contacting the funding source to raise awareness of this innovative new proposal. In March 2009 Digital Forming, in partnership with London Metropolitan University and University College London, secured £50,000 in funding. Read more about Digital Forming

In the month ahead

Instant access to public sector contract notices in the UK, Europe and further afield

You no longer need to miss out on lucrative contract opportunities from the public sector, we can send them directly to your inbox!

Hundreds of public sector contracts worth more than £100,000 each are published every day in the Official Journal of the EU, ranging from the supply of medical devices and cleaning services to building bridges and carrying out market research.

Searching for the relevant contract notices for you however can be very time consuming and you may miss an opportunity due to the vast amount of information available.

Our daily monitoring service takes the stress out of locating relevant contract notices for you. We will email you the contract notices that match your unique business profile on the day they are published - giving you the maximum time to prepare your bid.

Read more about our tender monitoring service (TED)

Innovation management seminars

How innovative is your business? Need a boost to your creativity? How is your business surviving through these tough times?

Find solutions and discover how to integrate innovation into your business strategy by attending our two-day innovation management seminar, with guest presenter Ben Finn OBE, an entrepreneur, musician, software developer and founder of Sibelius – the world’s best selling music software business!

This course is suitable for managers and staff involved in business development that are eager to learn about new methods and practical techniques associated with true innovation.

When? Monday 19th October & Monday 26th October, 10.00-16.00

To register your place or to find out more contact us at innovation@theinnovatory.com / 020 7241 7499. Book early to guarantee your place as spaces are limited!

Doing business in Europe: spotlight on CE marking

Ever wondered what the ‘CE mark’ is and whether you need to apply for it? For certain products the CE mark is a mandatory declaration that the product meets the safety requirements set by the applicable EU legislation. If you are a manufacturer/importer, it is your responsibility to verify whether or not your product falls within the scope of the Directives according to which a CE mark is compulsory and then subject it to the Conformity Assessment Procedure.

What if you are already selling your product without a CE mark? If there is no safety risk, you might be provided with another opportunity to CE mark the product before being obliged to take it off the market. Learn about whether your product must be CE marked and what the procedure is by reading our factsheet on CE marking.

For more factsheets visit www.londonchamber.co.uk/europe or email europe@londonchamber.co.uk.


This information is delivered by the London Innovation Network, which brings together GLE, LTN, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Innovatory to deliver Enterprise Europe Network in London.
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The London Innovation Network provides practical, hands-on support and information for London businesses seeking funding, hoping to expand their business into Europe, or wishing to develop technology partnerships.

Led by GLE, the Network is made up of four partner organisations with direct experience of delivering services to small businesses: GLE, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, LTN (London Technology Network), and The Innovatory.

Enterprise Europe Network is made up of 600 organisations in more than 40 countries; as part of this network we can help you to find a business partner from across Europe, access information on EU legislation, benefit from innovation networks and find information on funding opportunities.

Our services...

- 1:1 advice and support
- networking events
- bulletins and briefings
- innovation expertise
- discover funding opportunities
- find a business / research partner
- enquiry service on European and trade issues