techmesh: Hull report

This was the first time techmesh had held an event in Hull and what an exceptional turnout it was!

techmesh: Hull was organised with support from Jon Moss at Hull Digital and Hull University Business School.

The evening proceeded with refreshments, food and plenty of networking as the other delegates arrived. Guests where then encouraged to take a seat in the presentation room where I (Gary Rowbotham, techmesh Programme Manger) introduced techmesh and the many benefits of becoming a member. The agenda then moved to Nick Riley, Director of the Logistics Technology Group, who gave a synopsis surrounding Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) implementation in logistics and freight handling. An interesting insight from the presentation was that a RFID transmitter can be equivalent in size to a grain of rice!

Mike Harlington, a techmesh sponsor, introduced telecoms company MediaSat3, who are striving to provide an alternative telecoms provider in the Hull area. Mike discussed how MediaSat3 are negotiating the use of new telecom satellites which would allow remote speeds of 100mb download and 10mb upload. Once MediaSat3 services are fully implemented they will be capable of moving an impressive 1 million terabytes of data every second.

The presentations were rounded off with an introduction from Jon Moss at Hull Digital, who discussed how he hopes to expand the digital community in Hull. Jon encouraged the audience to attend the highly anticipated event ‘Hull Digital Question Time’ on the 26th May at the Donald Roy Theatre in Hull. The event is an opportunity for delegates to join the conversation and hear about current topics that matter in digital, technology and the web.

After the presentation session, guests were invited to look at the Hull University Business School technology showcase. The showcase was exceptional and in some cases breathtaking; the enormous 3D TV that greeted visitors as they entered the room was amazing!

The techmesh team would like to thank everyone that helped to make techmesh: Hull a success, including: Jon Moss at Hull Digital, Hull University Business School for the venue and Nick Riley for introducing the audience to future technologies in RFID.

Join us at the next techmesh event on 25th May - focussed towards Cloud Computing and using Software-as-a-Service. The event will feature keynote speakers from Microsoft and Liquid Accounts. For further information visit http://techmesh.org/events/view/55

Building An Innovation Ecosystem: Rainforests vs Plantations

Prof. Mary Walshok the founder of Connect in San Diego gave an inspiring talk at the Knowledge Capital Annual Lecture in Manchester focusing on the elements that led to their region to develop beyond tourism, real estate and agriculture into a powerhouse of technical innovation. She emphasised the need for regions to recognise and develop the assets they have but also to address the gaps then connect things together. As she note: "Like in Particle Physics when things collide you get reactions". The Connect program was that catalyst that brought people together. She emphasised the importance of community over company, shared purpose and a "sense of place".

Another interesting observation was that an innovation ecosystem should be more like a rainforest than a plantation. In this environment there is more uncertainty, density and diversity where the hybrid ideas arise from cross fertilisation and serendipity more than any organised linear process. Once a new idea has formed and proved itself to have something new and beneficial to offer to the market that's where cultivation and organisation become important.