Seven ambitious businesses have won a Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) sponsored place for an intensive week of entrepreneurial development at the world renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in America.

They will visit the Boston based Sloan School of Management at the end of the month to take part in the prestigious Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP).  The programme forms part of HIE's strategic partnership with MIT which has been ongoing now for over five years.

The Highlands and Islands businesses will be joined by up to a dozen firms from southern Scotland led by Informatics Ventures at the University of Edinburgh, making the biggest ever Scottish delegation to this programme.

MIT is famous for developing and nurturing entrepreneurship around the world, and since this course began in 1999, over 500 delegates from over 30 countries have taken part.

The delegates representing the Highlands & Islands on the course in Boston are Michael Laurenson from Blueshell Mussels, and Angus Grains, of North Fish both based in Shetland. They are joined by Bruno Berardelli from Highland Wood Energy of Lochaber, Campbell Grant of Sitekit Solutions on Skye, James Ross of the Global Energy Group in Inverness, Bronwen Robinson of ZOLK in Inverness and Kathleen Lohse of Vertex in Dingwall.

"HIE's link with MIT has been created to give our businesses access to world class training and international networks.  Businesses which have previously attended this intensive one week experience have returned transformed with new practical skills and ideas which they have been able to introduce in to their businesses. They are taught how to better understand the needs of their customers, position themselves within current and new markets and create lasting international connections," said Laura Dingwall, of HIE.

Individual company info and comments:

Michael Laurenson - Blueshell Mussels, Shetland Based in Shetland, Blueshell Mussels has become the UK's largest rope grown mussel farm since the company's initial harvest 10 years ago. They sell mussels throughout the UK to the wholesale sector directly and also to the UK retail market through their marketing co-operative, Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) of which Michael is also chairman.

He commented: "As a self-taught businessman I am open to exploring ideas and thinking innovatively about the business. Blueshell Mussels is already well linked, with a diversity of connections, and I value the opportunity to make contacts which could open doors to the North American market.  Practically, I'd like to hear about innovative sales and management techniques and learn more about effective use of financial analysis."

Angus Grains - North Fish (Shetland) Ltd, Shetland

North Fish has developed successfully and rapidly over several years from initial beginnings in marine consultancy. It now encompasses ferry services, marine operations, marine and offshore maintenance, property management, construction, and renovation. The business has grown year on year with profits being reinvested back into the business to maximise growth.

Angus commented: "There are many different sector opportunities which are emerging as a result of growing marine renewables activity in Shetland, Orkney and the North of Scotland.

"We see ourselves as a key supplier of solutions for difficult and remote projects. This includes positioning the ferry arm of our business so that we are ready to gain additional routes, but also to meet additional needs as they emerge in various sectors.
 
"We are already thinking innovatively and have ambitious growth targets in property management, marine operations, and construction.

"My aim in taking part in the EDP programme is to explore new ways of working to help us develop business growth and expansion in new markets."

Campbell Grant - Sitekit, Isle of Skye
Sitekit Solutions Ltd is a successful H&I software company with a clear focus on healthcare. Their goal is to become market leader for web information systems in the healthcare sector and they currently have contracts with 24 UK NHS Trusts as customers. Sitekit Labs, the company's R&D division develops innovative web-based healthcare systems in collaboration with Stirling, MIT & Harvard Universities.

One of the Lab's prototype products 'uPrevent' is a clinical decision support tool which has the potential to reduce healthcare costs by $2 billion/y in the USA market alone.

Campbell commented: "Healthcare is the last major industry to adopt web technologies. Our target customers are healthcare providers who through innovative software use are more able to meet targets to reduce costs and increase quality of care.
 
"We have a clear goal to become market leaders in the UK in the next two years.  Sitekit's next generation products will offer global sales potential, and our aim in Boston is to tap into the expertise at MIT to ensure we are best prepared for the challenge."

Bronwen Robinson - Zolk, Inverness
Zolk Ltd focus on the research, design, build and management of online services primarily for the public sector. Currently they offer a product range including virtual conferences, e-learning services, managed services for SME development, tourism and heritage interpretation and consultancy.

"At Zolk we are developing our innovative products and services with a strong customer focus.  Our aim over the next few years is to increase market share as well as enhancing the services we offer.  We are working jointly to develop the new online TV Channel, Inverness TV and we are keen to tap into MIT's technology research. We are also developing the market in Canada so the course will be useful for international networking."

James Ross - Global Energy Group, Inverness
The Global Energy Group has grown since its inception in 2005 and is now a £130 million company controlling the interests of 15 organisations all bringing capabilities and niche services to the energy sector.  

James commented: "My role over the next couple of years will be about consolidating the capabilities of the group.  As our team grows at Global we want to develop strategies on how to work best together to meet the needs of our customers.

"I have already taken part in a MIT workshop here in the Highlands and I'm looking forward to more indepth exploration of techniques that give large or small businesses the advantage in competitive markets."

Kathleen Lohse -  Vertex Data Science, Dingwall
Vertex is a leading International Business Process Outsourcer and Customer Management Outsourcing business with operations throughout the UK and beyond.  In the Dingwall site  where Kathleen is based, Vertex manages the Westminster City Council contract which deals with 40 different council services via mutli-channel contact handling and back office processing.  

"Vertex has done a lot of work to offer clients added value.  I hope the EDP course will allow me to further increase this value to my customers by the sharing of best practices with international businesses.  I'm also looking forward to meeting potential new partners, suppliers and customers to support not only Vertex but financial growth in the Highlands and Islands."

Kathleen also would like to make new contacts and learn new skills to help her deliver increased staff engagement within her 300 employees in the Highlands through improved leadership skills and process improvement. With an outlook wider than just her own organisation, Kathleen would like to use the learning from her participation on EDP and exposure to international contacts to help other organisations prosper within the Highlands and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Bruno Berardelli - Highland Wood Energy, Fort William
Highland Wood Energy (HWE) work within the renewable energy sector, specifically in biomass heating. Bruno Berardelli, managing director is one of two co-owners. The business revolves around the design, installation and operation of biomass heating systems. The company was formed in 2003 and currently has 15 staff.

He commented: "I've been working in the renewable heating industry since its infancy and have seen it grow as people looked for a more sustainable alternative to the spiralling costs of traditional methods.

"Having spent the last few years working hard in the business, now is a crucial time for me to take a step back and look at the business and at the wider sector as a whole in order to develop the right strategy for growth and success.

"Also it will be exciting to be stretched, challenged and pushed as an individual by world leading experts both at EDP and through networking in Boston.  I am looking forward to meeting people who will make me examine new ways to do things."