An Appraisal of the SEED University Technology Small Firms Project in Industrial South Wales

Abstract

The main purpose of the investigation is to focus on the specific needs of university-based technology small firms (UTSFs) making a case for UTSFs' particular contribution to the Welsh economy and why their needs are not well provided for at the present time. The contribution the Sustained Economic Enterprise Development (SEED) project made to the firms and the differences between the University of Wales Cardiff and Swansea that appeared are described. The paper presents findings from two phases of the project. Firstly, pertinent results from the detailed interviews that took place with a wide spectrum of university-based technology small firms detailing grievances towards their own academic institution and towards business support. Secondly, network meetings from the second phase of the work. Twenty 'willing' firms identified in phase one were recruited to both participate in, and develop content for, group meetings and networking events focussing on the particular needs of businesses.