BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES
Windhorse flies to aid disaster zones
inspire IP rights can be key
to business success Protecting your product, your individuality and your identity is vital when it comes to turning your ideas into commercial reality. Without the right Intellectual Property (IP) protection you may find your business or ideas are not sufficiently well protected and your products and services copied by competitors. Well managed IP can add tangible value to
your business and provide you with new revenue streams. Having the right protection shows investors that your business has IP capital which can be drawn upon and your company can protect its revenue streams. Ensuring that you are using your legal rights of
trademarks, copyright, designs and patents to the best effect is not expensive or time-consuming and can give you a competitive advantage.
How we can help: If you’re not sure about your IP status but want to learn how to protect your business for the future then Business West’s team of experienced advisers can help. Services include:
IP Clinic Session (duration one hour): Learn all about IP and how to get the right protection for your business.
B
ased in the little city of Wells, Somerset, Windhorse Aerospace is aiming to make a big difference across the globe.
This manufacturing company specialises in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid to disaster zones. Founded in 2016 by Nigel Gifford, and with an experienced team contributing to the business, Windhorse has the potential to build a sustainable business model whilst contributing to the international development community around the world. The company are currently developing an
innovative patented UAV called POUNCER™, which will tackle current unreliability from products already on the market. Windhorse’s solution will provide unmanned food drops to an accuracy of 1.5m avoiding all infrastructure problems, corruption or hostile groups; the ability to deconstruct the UAV to provide the materials required for cooking; and all food packages will be specifically tailored to match the regions religion and diets. Susie Williams, RND funding adviser, met with
Talking about the support Windhorse has
received from Business West’s innovate2succeed team, Chief Executive Officer Phillip Harrall said: “The support in terms of help, guidance and advice from the innovate2succeed programme has been outstanding. “Windhorse has received help in a number
‘Help,
guidance and advice from the
outstanding’
Jason Dobson of Windhorse to discuss his intended application under the Innovate UK Open Funding Competition. From this initial meeting, Susie identified that Windhorse would gain greatly from the innovate2succeed coaching programme and encouraged them to pursue this opportunity with Business West. The innovate2succeed programme highlighted
potential growth areas for the business and resulted in an action plan covering the modules ‘Understanding Funding and Grants’ and ‘Understanding Sources of Finance’. Kim Howat, funding specialist, outlined the potential sources of grant funding. Business West specialist, Philip Tellwright, advised Windhorse on potential access to equity investment and support, with strategy and ongoing access to finance including a crowdfunding pitch.
of critical areas ranging from Intellectual Property Rights to understanding the funds that may be available to our new business. The staff members who have spent time with us have been most helpful and understanding, plus they all have vast amounts of experience in their chosen fields. That makes a huge difference when you’re starting a new business.” Going forward, the main vision
innovate2succeed programme has been
for Windhorse is to become the ‘go to’ business for humanitarian aid and to be known for changing the way aid is delivered to disaster zones. Beyond this, the aim is to license the product throughout the globe
and regionalise the product for reduced response times. Research and development is also a
key component for Windhorse’s future and they are currently undertaking a capability assessment of certain foods to change the shape of the product to reduce wasted space. A key focus of the business’s growth strategy is to sell their solution overseas to multiple Governments, NGOs and aid organisations. Innovation should be considered a key component of any business growth strategy, which is why the innovate2succeed programme has been designed to help embrace innovative business practices and increase chances of success.
To find out more about the i2s programme, contact the innovate2succeed team: Call: 0330 124 1243 Visit:
www.innovate2succeed.co.uk Email:
i2senquiries@businesswest.co.uk
Company Visit and Follow-up Report: A comprehensive review and audit of your current and future protection needs, followed up with a detailed report from an IP expert.
Cost: Support provided is free of charge to eligible businesses.
To discuss your IP requirements in more detail, contact the team on 01275 370 997.
Dr Phil Hammond Celebrity doctor to
speak at awards Comedy writer, author and broadcaster Dr Phil Hammond will be this year’s Medilink Awards after dinner speaker, held at Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, Bristol, on 2 February. Dr Phil is well known for his strong views on
the National Health Service and was the first to investigate the care given to children undergoing heart operations at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He remains an active campaigner on issues
from NHS management and strategy to individual wellbeing and the misrepresentation of health issues in the media.
Book your place at
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ medilink-south-west-life-science-healthcare- awards-registration
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 insight 17
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