Connect Scotland

The SEP Technology Leaders Forum held in conjunction with the Connect Scotland Investment Forum features a number of influential speakers. One theme of discussion was that in the UK, unlike the USA, there is a big role to be played to connect entrepreneurs to sources of finance. The view was that in the USA VCs are "pacing the corridors of universities with checkbooks in hand".

The perception of the panel was that the difference is cultural: In the USA many VCs have technology backgrounds, while in the UK they primarily are financial beasts. Bridging the gap in understanding of the science is more important in Europe. To some extent this need is being met by the likes of IP Group and Biofusion, but the danger is that projects that don't meet their investment criteria may be constrained rather than facilitated.

Any tech-savvy VCs or university commercialisation outfits out there that have a view on this?