Wind turbines interfere with aviation radar and today’s aviation radar is unable to differentiate between wind turbines and aircraft. If built in the wrong place, wind turbines would prevent air traffic controllers from reliably monitoring and managing air traffic. As a consequence hundreds of prospective wind farm developments have been blocked near airfields in the UK and overseas.
Cambridge Consultants’ new spin-out Aveillant is developing a new kind of radar (Holographic Radar™) which solves the problem. The Company was launched in November 2011 with venture capital backing from Cambridge Consultants, DFJ-Esprit and the AIFC (Aviation Investment Fund Company).
CEO David Crisp will speak about the technology and the innovative business model through which Aveillant plans to bring it to market.
Please sign up here to attend.
Venue: Mills & Reeve LLP, Francis House, 112 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PH.
Monday, 2nd April, 2012, 7.30 pm for 8pm start
All interested are welcome to join us, including those who are not YET members of CHASE.
Your first visit to a CHASE meeting qualifies for free entry - and even after that it's an absolute bargain!
Please note: we don’t issue name/affiliation badges but you are encouraged to bring your own to aid networking.
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SME Funding News:
The relaunched Manufacturing Advisory Service (‘MAS’) is offering small grants of up to £3000 on a matched funding basis (maximum funding £300 per day for up to ten days’ work, though the project can go on longer) - for short projects including market appraisal for planned new product innovations.
I have asked, but regrettably MAS cannot provide any guidance notes for prospective applicants and this scheme isn't even explained on the MAS website yet, so you probably heard it here first! I went to the MAS launch meeting so can tell you what I know (though I can’t yet claim to have helped a client to get one – will you be the first?).
The next round of the Technology Strategy Board's ‘Smart Awards’ (which is the new name of the grants formerly called 'Grants for R and D,' following a change from their previous title of ‘Smart Awards!’) - closes on May 31st.
These provide (considerably fewer than previously) matched funding grants for technology innovation development AND up to £25k for pre-development "proof of market" research - I have prepared a brief overview of the scheme so please contact me if you'd like one (or for advice - I HAVE helped clients to get these!).
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Under the heading of ‘Technically-Inspired Innovation’ the TSB is also soliciting projects in the fields of advanced materials and nanoscale technologies; biosciences; electronics, photonics and electrical systems; and information and communications technology. The competition is open to small and micro companies only, working either singly, or in collaboration with one partner. Projects can last up to four months and are eligible for grants of up to £25,000. HEALTH WARNING: choose your entry category with care and ASK if it's not absolutely obvious - get it wrong and you'll be disqualified! Total project costs must not exceed £33,000 and entry closes at noon on 11 April 2012.
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Finally for this issue, if you are interested in entering "The Dragon's Den," please get in touch. We now have the details of the next series.
See you on Monday night at Mills & Reeve,
Peter Howarth,
Technology Business Development.
phowarth(at)techbusinessdev.com
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