Zernike (UK) Limited

Zernike (UK) was established at the end of 2000 as a joint venture with Zernike Group of the Netherlands. It further extends the international network of the Group as well as adding particular strengths in analytic skills and market connections.

Zernike’s UK headquarters are in Cambridge, one of Europe’s leading high-tech centres, which has developed over the last thirty years on the basis of a very high concentration of research and development activity both in the University of Cambridge and in the many private and public research institutes located in the region. As a result, 1,300 high tech firms have emerged that have created over 35,000 jobs in high-technology sectors in the Cambridge area and built a network of business connections around the globe.

The sectors of these firms range across the full spectrum of high-technology but the largest concentrations are now in biotechnology and information and communications technology. Indeed, in biotechnology, the Cambridge area is the largest concentration of commercial firms in Europe.

Zernike (UK) has begun to establish in the UK the full complement of Zernike Group activities. These include:

Incubators and new technology oriented properties
zero stage and seed funds
business development and introduction to the UK market
consultancy to business and public authorities in innovation and technology transfer

Incubators and new technology oriented properties

We have had discussions with a wide variety of developers and owners of properties aiming to accelerate the formation rate of new technology based businesses with a view to bringing the Zernike management model to their schemes. They are at various stages of perparation and discussion with the first two recently launched.

NORMANBY GATEWAY

This new centre is targeted at information and communications ("ICT") related companies and offers suites from 12m² to 120m² on flexible lease terms within a modern business setting. The 1200m² building has a high capacity telecoms connection and has structured wiring throughout to ensure maximum convenience and flexibility to users. There is an electronic security system supervised through a common reception area which also features a cafe area and conference room facilities. Building work started in June 2002 on the second phase of the development to double the lettable area. Phase two should come on stream early in 2003.

Zernike manages Normanby Gateway and connects it and its tenants to the international network of related business centres managed by others in the Zernike Group.

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESS INCUBATOR

With the benefit of an SRB grant we have established this business incubator known as Normanby IDEA Centre within the Normanby Gateway building. It offers "easy in easy out" accommodation to newly formed businesses for a low all in charge. The five units are fully equipped to enable new businesses to operate immediately they enter. Commercial and business services support is available from the central management of the Gateway.

The incubator is actively managed by Zernike in alliance with the Universities of Hull and Lincoln who both help to source new businesses through their students and faculty and offer a variety of training and mentor support. A network of professional advisors is also being developed from within the local business community to ensure a seamless transition when the firms graduate from the incubator.

Zero stage and seed funds

During the year we have been working on the planning, formation and funding of a number of new businesses based on innovative ideas. The first seed investment was completed at the end of 2001 and several more projects are currently under active consideration.

Business development and introduction to the UK market

Through the international Zernike Group network we have been active in both exploring UK market entry strategies and business linkage options and advising UK companies on international market entry, into continental Europe in particular. Specific projects include:

Minerals Sector Information Service - introducing a new internet based information and analytic service to investors and key industry players in London as part of a market testing exercise before Zernike Group took an investment stake in the new firm
Software licensing opportunity - negotiated a risk sharing licence between a UK company with a world leading graphics software for a new business developing a vehicle recognition product in which Zernike Group had made an investment
Street Furniture Innovation - set up a market survey to explore the European market including the UK, for an Australian producer an innovative street furniture product with which Zernike Group had entered into a licence agreement
Blood Gas Analyser - surveyed the UK market and explored distribution options for a German producer of blood gas analytic equipment and advised on market entry.

Consultancy to business and public authorities in innovation and technology transfer

Zernike (UK) staff have participated in a wide range of consultancy and advisory projects over the first year. These have been not only in the UK and Europe but also wider afield because of the extensive networks in which Zernike Group plays a positive role. The major projects during 2001 have included:

UK AND EUROPE

Sheffield incubator development strategy - a project to bring together University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to promote an integrated innovation system around a new e-campus development sponsored by Yorkshire Forward and Sheffield One
Austrian study tour on regional innovation - a study tour for managers and sponsors of innovation infrastructure from Vienna and three regions across Austria to enable them to benchmark their efforts against the achievement and practices in Cambridge
Evaluation of CPIN incubator, Portugal - an evaluation of the tools and performance of an innovative incubator project which is a key part of the Tagusparque development in the Lisbon region
Review of regional development initiative, Romania - for a DFID and World Bank sponsored regional development programme in the coal closure areas - carried out a review of the achievements of the project after three years of implementation and recommended significant change to improve effectiveness
Telecoms related activity development, Gibraltar - The Rock has attracted three private satellite operators because of its geopolitical location and is exploring the possibility of developing a new economic base from this investment
Performance review, University for Industry - for DfEE helped to assess the performance of the innovative UfI at a key point in its launch of delivery partnerships and suggest improvements with a special emphasis on the role of the public private partnership and corporate legal form
Review of Campaign for Learning - for DFES reviewed the impact of the wide ranging Campaign for Learning with a particular emphasis on its innovative contribution to promoting a culture of life long learning

WIDER AFIELD

Development of Cybercity, Ankara - led an international team developing a major ICT focused science city project linked to the Bilkent University group and the World Bank funded industrial technology upgrading project
Design of innovation centre, Turkey - for the Technology Development Agency (TTGV) of Turkey designed an innovation centre focused on ICT and completed an operations manual for the initiative that will begin in Ankara and then spread to other centres throughout Turkey
ICT strategy, Armenia - together with IC2 Institute of University of Texas, Austin, developed an ICT strategy backed by World Bank and USAID in this major centre of former Soviet computer sciences
Business strategy and planning, SBP South Africa - facilitated the development of the next three year strategy for this small business stimulation agency which is backed by both South Africa's large corporates and international donors to promote private sector solutions to black empowerment
Innovation Hub, South Africa - provided a training and benchmarking input to this joint venture between CSIR and University of Pretoria which aims to create a new infrastructure that stimulates new technology based business growth

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

A wide range of important contributions have been made by Zernike (UK) staff at international conferences and workshops during the year including the following:

IASP World Conference, Spain - a plenary contribution describing best practice and leading trends in incubation and the changing demands on science parks and innovation infrastructure coming from developments in the market place
International University of Entrepreneurship, Holland - described the innovative and entrepreneurial underpinning of the Cambridge area and changing roles of industry and academic partnerships in shaping new technology business
UKBI and UNIEI, Nottingham - led a workshop to explore practical strategies in entrepreneurship and innovation linked to university/business partnerships with a particular emphasis on UK and European experience
Innovation and regional development, Oxford - presented to a workshop at Oxford Brookes University the ideas and challenges behind the initiative to develop an integrated strategy for technology business led growth between Oxford and Cambridge - the Oxbridge area
Partnerships for Innovation: Fostering Industry-Science Relationships, Portugal - invited by the Prime Minister of Portugal to contribute to a workshop to set the parameters for a new initiative to foster relationships between industry and science in Portugal

Zernike (UK) Limited is registered in England as company number 4077472 and its registered address is:
The Grove, High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4HJ.

	Zernike Company Profile
	The Grove, High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ, UK Telephone / fax +44 (0) 1223 528980 Email: info@zernikeuk.com
Home Zernike (UK) Limited UK management Zernike Group BV International Centres managed Funds managed Clients Group management	Zernike (UK) Limited Zernike (UK) was established at the end of 2000 as a joint venture with Zernike Group of the Netherlands. It further extends the international network of the Group as well as adding particular strengths in analytic skills and market connections. Zernike’s UK headquarters are in Cambridge, one of Europe’s leading high-tech centres, which has developed over the last thirty years on the basis of a very high concentration of research and development activity both in the University of Cambridge and in the many private and public research institutes located in the region. As a result, 1,300 high tech firms have emerged that have created over 35,000 jobs in high-technology sectors in the Cambridge area and built a network of business connections around the globe. The sectors of these firms range across the full spectrum of high-technology but the largest concentrations are now in biotechnology and information and communications technology. Indeed, in biotechnology, the Cambridge area is the largest concentration of commercial firms in Europe. Zernike (UK) has begun to establish in the UK the full complement of Zernike Group activities. These include: Incubators and new technology oriented properties zero stage and seed funds business development and introduction to the UK market consultancy to business and public authorities in innovation and technology transfer Incubators and new technology oriented properties We have had discussions with a wide variety of developers and owners of properties aiming to accelerate the formation rate of new technology based businesses with a view to bringing the Zernike management model to their schemes. They are at various stages of perparation and discussion with the first two recently launched. NORMANBY GATEWAY This new centre is targeted at information and communications ("ICT") related companies and offers suites from 12m² to 120m² on flexible lease terms within a modern business setting. The 1200m² building has a high capacity telecoms connection and has structured wiring throughout to ensure maximum convenience and flexibility to users. There is an electronic security system supervised through a common reception area which also features a cafe area and conference room facilities. Building work started in June 2002 on the second phase of the development to double the lettable area. Phase two should come on stream early in 2003. Zernike manages Normanby Gateway and connects it and its tenants to the international network of related business centres managed by others in the Zernike Group. NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESS INCUBATOR With the benefit of an SRB grant we have established this business incubator known as Normanby IDEA Centre within the Normanby Gateway building. It offers "easy in easy out" accommodation to newly formed businesses for a low all in charge. The five units are fully equipped to enable new businesses to operate immediately they enter. Commercial and business services support is available from the central management of the Gateway. The incubator is actively managed by Zernike in alliance with the Universities of Hull and Lincoln who both help to source new businesses through their students and faculty and offer a variety of training and mentor support. A network of professional advisors is also being developed from within the local business community to ensure a seamless transition when the firms graduate from the incubator. Zero stage and seed funds During the year we have been working on the planning, formation and funding of a number of new businesses based on innovative ideas. The first seed investment was completed at the end of 2001 and several more projects are currently under active consideration. Business development and introduction to the UK market Through the international Zernike Group network we have been active in both exploring UK market entry strategies and business linkage options and advising UK companies on international market entry, into continental Europe in particular. Specific projects include: Minerals Sector Information Service - introducing a new internet based information and analytic service to investors and key industry players in London as part of a market testing exercise before Zernike Group took an investment stake in the new firm Software licensing opportunity - negotiated a risk sharing licence between a UK company with a world leading graphics software for a new business developing a vehicle recognition product in which Zernike Group had made an investment Street Furniture Innovation - set up a market survey to explore the European market including the UK, for an Australian producer an innovative street furniture product with which Zernike Group had entered into a licence agreement Blood Gas Analyser - surveyed the UK market and explored distribution options for a German producer of blood gas analytic equipment and advised on market entry. Consultancy to business and public authorities in innovation and technology transfer Zernike (UK) staff have participated in a wide range of consultancy and advisory projects over the first year. These have been not only in the UK and Europe but also wider afield because of the extensive networks in which Zernike Group plays a positive role. The major projects during 2001 have included: UK AND EUROPE Sheffield incubator development strategy - a project to bring together University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to promote an integrated innovation system around a new e-campus development sponsored by Yorkshire Forward and Sheffield One Austrian study tour on regional innovation - a study tour for managers and sponsors of innovation infrastructure from Vienna and three regions across Austria to enable them to benchmark their efforts against the achievement and practices in Cambridge Evaluation of CPIN incubator, Portugal - an evaluation of the tools and performance of an innovative incubator project which is a key part of the Tagusparque development in the Lisbon region Review of regional development initiative, Romania - for a DFID and World Bank sponsored regional development programme in the coal closure areas - carried out a review of the achievements of the project after three years of implementation and recommended significant change to improve effectiveness Telecoms related activity development, Gibraltar - The Rock has attracted three private satellite operators because of its geopolitical location and is exploring the possibility of developing a new economic base from this investment Performance review, University for Industry - for DfEE helped to assess the performance of the innovative UfI at a key point in its launch of delivery partnerships and suggest improvements with a special emphasis on the role of the public private partnership and corporate legal form Review of Campaign for Learning - for DFES reviewed the impact of the wide ranging Campaign for Learning with a particular emphasis on its innovative contribution to promoting a culture of life long learning WIDER AFIELD Development of Cybercity, Ankara - led an international team developing a major ICT focused science city project linked to the Bilkent University group and the World Bank funded industrial technology upgrading project Design of innovation centre, Turkey - for the Technology Development Agency (TTGV) of Turkey designed an innovation centre focused on ICT and completed an operations manual for the initiative that will begin in Ankara and then spread to other centres throughout Turkey ICT strategy, Armenia - together with IC2 Institute of University of Texas, Austin, developed an ICT strategy backed by World Bank and USAID in this major centre of former Soviet computer sciences Business strategy and planning, SBP South Africa - facilitated the development of the next three year strategy for this small business stimulation agency which is backed by both South Africa's large corporates and international donors to promote private sector solutions to black empowerment Innovation Hub, South Africa - provided a training and benchmarking input to this joint venture between CSIR and University of Pretoria which aims to create a new infrastructure that stimulates new technology based business growth CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS A wide range of important contributions have been made by Zernike (UK) staff at international conferences and workshops during the year including the following: IASP World Conference, Spain - a plenary contribution describing best practice and leading trends in incubation and the changing demands on science parks and innovation infrastructure coming from developments in the market place International University of Entrepreneurship, Holland - described the innovative and entrepreneurial underpinning of the Cambridge area and changing roles of industry and academic partnerships in shaping new technology business UKBI and UNIEI, Nottingham - led a workshop to explore practical strategies in entrepreneurship and innovation linked to university/business partnerships with a particular emphasis on UK and European experience Innovation and regional development, Oxford - presented to a workshop at Oxford Brookes University the ideas and challenges behind the initiative to develop an integrated strategy for technology business led growth between Oxford and Cambridge - the Oxbridge area Partnerships for Innovation: Fostering Industry-Science Relationships, Portugal - invited by the Prime Minister of Portugal to contribute to a workshop to set the parameters for a new initiative to foster relationships between industry and science in Portugal Zernike (UK) Limited is registered in England as company number 4077472 and its registered address is: The Grove, High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4HJ.