Regional Innovation Incubation and Universities 4

Regional Innovation, Incubation and
The University
Entrepreneurial Leadership and The
Cambridge Model
“The Cambridge Phenomenon”
Professor Alan Barrell
Hosei University, Tokyo February 26th 2009


Context and Agenda
 A General Context – A Changing World – A Financial Crisis
 Region and sub-region – where did the action really
originate Question - Is there optimal size / scale for
optimal Innovative Development ?
 Entrepreneurship as the driving force and Leader of much
more than business success
 Entrepreneurial mindsets and support structures
 Technology Transfer – The University did not lead
 A Family of Incubators under other names
 A Cluster of Creativity
 Characteristics of Successful Cambridge Incubators
 Recognising and building on serendipity
 Funding and Investment Readiness Preparation
 People, Diversity, Culture, Communities, Networking and
Society


Casting an Eye on the World’s
Financial Crisis – What’s changed ?

Who said these words and When
“I believe the banking institutions are
more dangerous to our liberties than
standing armies. If the American people
ever allow private banks to control the
issue of their currency, first by inflation,
then by deflation, the banks and
corporations that will grow up around the
banks will deprive the people of all
property until their children wake up
homeless on the continent their fathers
conquered”


Who said these words and When
“I believe the banking institutions are
more dangerous to our liberties than
standing armies. If the American people
ever allow private banks to control the
issue of their currency, first by inflation,
then by deflation, the banks and
corporations that will grow up around the
banks will deprive the people of all
property until their children wake up
homeless on the continent their fathers
conquered”
Thomas Jefferson 1778


And what about these…

“The budget should be balanced, the
Treasury should be replenished, Public
debt should be reduced, the arrogance of
officialdom should be tempered and
controlled, and the assistance to foreign
lands should be curtailed, lest our Nation
become bankrupt. People must again learn
to work, instead of living on public
assistance”


And what about these…
“The budget should be balanced, the
Treasury should be replenished, Public
debt should be reduced, the arrogance of
officialdom should be tempered and
controlled, and the assistance to foreign
lands should be curtailed, lest our Nation
become bankrupt. People must again learn
to work, instead of living on public
assistance”
Marcus Cicero 55 BC


But - think Boom ….not Gloom….
many successful businesses started in
recessions….
“I started the Cobra Beer Company in a deep
Recession – and it proved to be the best
time for me….introducing something

innovative and exciting changed the way
people thought about Indian Food and Beer”
Lord Karan Bilimoria
Founder – Cobra Beer


But the eye on the World shows lots of
changes….its not just the finances….and
some changes are permanent


The Changing Horizon
Organisations

Technology

Environment
Issues

The death of
deference

Globalisation
New employment
patterns


Sources of
Competitiveness
Learning

Creativity
Speed
Cost

Information
Risk
Reputation
Values


Changes in Industrial Structure - UK
% of Total Employment - UK Government Foresight Report 2001


Global Dynamics – Manufacturing has
Migrated









Two fifths of the Worlds people
live in the two fastest growing
large economies – China and
India
Education, Wealth Creation and

New Knowledge are at the heart
of Economic Planning in Asia
Growth in Asia is far ahead of
Europe.
Dynamic Growth in
Manufacturing Base
CASH is in place in the Asian
economies – as well as
brainpower- China has US$ 2
Trillions of reserves
Labour and Material cost
advantages +++++



Cambridge and the Eastern Region

Traditional Industries
•Agriculture and Food
•Fishing
•Leather goods - Footwear
•Wool and Textiles
•7.5 million people
•One of UKs fastest growing
•Region governed by EEDA – East of
England Development Agency



Trinity College’s History and

Scientific Development – Cambridge
– Science, Innovation and Invention

 Trinity always had a strong
scientific tradition*
 First use of the word
“scientist” 1835 (Whewell)
 First European Science Park
– 1970 – Dr Sir John Bradfield
*Alumni include Newton, Clerk-Maxwell, Rayleigh, Thomson, Walton,
Rutherford, Aston, Lyle, both Braggs, Bohr, Hopkins, Klug, Kendrew


Greater Cambridge Partnership Area ( GCP) – one of nine
“Sub-regional Development Partnerships”
in the EEDA – East of England Development Agency Region

2002 GC Estimates
Population: 750,000
Jobs: 359,000
GVA: £12.2bn

FENLAND
(PART)
Ramsey

Littleport

Chatteris

EAST
CAMBRIDGESHIRE

HUNTINGDONSHIRE

FOREST HEATHA11
(PART)
Mildenhall

A10

Huntingdon

A14

St Neots

Bury St Edmunds

CAMBRIDGE

A14

ST EDMUNDSBURY
(PART)
A11

SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Royston

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE
(PART)

Haverhill

UTTLESFORD
(PART)
Saffron Walden


Building an Enterprise Society. Power of
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Networking

National economy
Regional economic development
Sub-regional development
Building communities of
enterprise,social inclusion and
common purpose


Cambridge in 1960







Medieval City
Great University and Seat of Learning
Farmers
Not much Industry
Lots of Bicycles
Entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurship? –
“Town and Gown” – and Agriculture….
 But things were changing….



Thinking About Entrepreneurship….
And about Creativity, Innovation, Discovery Culture, and Mindset – Historical
Perspectives…and Timing
Jules Verne – “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has
come”….



And - With this background….Let’s
IMAGINE


Einstein on IMAGINATION….
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination
encircles the world”

Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955