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Current Activities

Since October 2002 Fusion has been able to assist its members in over ninety instances. Over the coming months we would like to build a case study file on the web site of some of these stories so we would welcome a call from any members who would be happy to have their story told openly here on the web site. We believe that the real value of these stories will be to open up possibilities for others to follow and improve their business performance.

So how does a network help itself when it consists of the improbable mix of scientists, inventors, researchers, principals, chief executives, consultants, LECs, Councils, Research Institutes, Colleges, NHS Trusts, business angels, venture capitalists, bankers, lawyers, accountants and businesses of one employee to over one thousand employees in a wide range of sectors? Of course, it is this enormous diversity that is the network's strength. Somewhere in amongst this enormous range of members it is highly likely that there will be someone who can be of help to your business - whether as a researcher, implementer, funder, consultant or customer. 

So how does the Fusion community help itself? Well here are a few snapshots:

* By finding a local engineering company to provide prototypes that were being previously sourced from outside the H&I

* By finding a uniquely skilled programmer locally that would have involved time delays and costs to find elsewhere

* By finding funding to increase research activity in an FE college

* By finding a H&I distributor, another H&I business was able to expand sales of a patented product

* By using networks outside the H&I, University researchers visited local businesses here in the H&I to develop potentially patentable products for the local business to exploit

* By using a wide range of contacts within and outwith Fusion, an applied research institute has been created

* By finding an appropriate business, an inventor has been helped to look for a local partner that would enable commercial exploitation

* By finding support from within the network, a business start-up has been successfully helped to find funds for its product development

* By finding an appropriate speaker from within the H&I, a motivational event for entrepreneurs was provided with some local credibility

*  By contacting Fusion members, valuable advice was accessed to assist the planning of future capacity for research and commercialisation