Quotes from companies who participated in the Going Global programme

“My sincere thanks to Mike Grandinetti, HIE, Fusion and the rest of the FUSE group for another great experience. It’s great to get help on your own issues but it is also of huge personal benefit to discuss, and hopefully help, others’ too. Someone else’s challenge today may be ours tomorrow. Between our MIT mentors and our cohort peers we have some firepower in the room and it is making a positive difference. I would like to see it continue. I am privileged to have been mentored on this programme by Mike Grandinetti, who I can honestly say, has very positively impacted my own thinking and the progress of our business. Our technology is highly disruptive and new to market yet Mike, through his own experiences in the IT space, has been able to understand our issues and cut quickly to the heart of the challenges we face in exploiting such groundbreaking solutions. I would never have thought that one individual could deliver such balanced and practical advice, drawn equally from current thought leadership in entrepreneurship and his own extensive hands on experience. Start up, fundraising, take to market and exits - he's been through all phases. He's the real deal. If you have the opportunity to work with Mike - grab it.” Steve Chisholm, Owner, Director and CEO, Alchemy Plus Business Solutions Ltd

“Mike provides an industry leading perspective on the field of international sales and marketing strategy, especially in the small and growing companies arena. He can also provide a valuable insight into the US VC market and how to gain access to investors that can help entrepreneurs reach their goals." Gary Campbell, General Manager, EHPL

“Mike is a truly supportive teacher for any aspiring entrepreneur fortunate enough to meet him. He is a superb listener, and is able to immediately focus on creative solutions to presented problems. His analysis is always prescient, and razor sharp. And he is very generous in spirit and humour, truly igniting with interest in how to build entrepreneurial businesses. Mike's background is in software, but his expertise is applicable for any expanding business, and I have seen him apply his wisdom to all areas as part of the MIT's entrepreneurial development programme.” Adam Kelliher, CEO, Equateq

"Our session at Dunain Park and subsequent sessions with Mike, did help me to represent our investment pitch, in particular by highlighting key external commercial validators to show that we are not just a bunch of 'egg heads' but actually make something (IP and services) that other companies want. However, to raise money in the current market we have had to also refocus our business plan to bring forward some non-pharmaceutical opportunities. Our direction of travel is the same but on the way we are bringing forward opportunities in nutrition and cosmetics. These offer less potential value uplift but much quicker potential income generation. We have now put together a £600K investment round, which is bringing in an Angel syndicate as new investors. Our pitch to them was successful (based on their feedback) because we presented a clear market opportunity and strategy, because we demonstrated commercial validation, and because we have a strong management team." Charlie Bavington, Ph.D., CEO, Glycomar Ltd.

“A world class entrepreneur, able to articulate best practice in entrepreneurship from across the world. Mike brings a wealth of personal experience and contacts, driving innovative (and often hugely entertaining) methodologies. Mike's mentoring has helped transform me and Ice Factor onto the global stage. His input will play a pivotal role in the future of business in the Highlands of Scotland. Rarely do you find consumate professionalism allied with infectious enthusiasm and mirth in one individual. A total legend!” Jamie Smith, Managing Director, Ice Factor “A great weekend and fantastic insight. I came away from the meeting fired up and with a clear head. It's exactly the kind of support for entrepreneurs which transcends any other support I've received from or delivered on behalf of HIE.” David Sim, CEO, Open Brolly and 4TM

I feel that during the last year I have developed considerably on a professional level and have negotiated several of our large contracts, dealing on a daily basis with some of the 'not so nice' guys who have egos the size of America!! Having the contact and mentoring from yourself has been a huge boost and I am extremely grateful for that. Also having the contacts from the group is also proving quite useful... I would be very pleased if we could maintain the contact in the future.” Elizabeth Johnstone, Pure Energy Ltd.

“Mike delivered a training course on Global Marketing to a group of Highland entrepreneurs in 2008. Mike was a truly inspiring course leader as he was teaching from a position of authoritative practical experience. He somehow manages to combine a successful commercial life with his teaching role to share his experience with a wide audience. Mike is very friendly and full of fun. He went above and beyond the call of duty by giving generously of his time to help me launch a business project. Mike has an amazing memory and a wonderful ability to relate specific teaching points to the situation of individuals in his class - which makes his teaching extremely relevant and effective.” Campbell Grant, Owner, Sitekit Solutions, Ltd and Sitekit Labs, Ltd