Sponsors

The following companies and bodies have contributed to the foundation of Connect Yorkshire.
Founding sponsors are denoted by an asterisk (*).

Abchurch Communications Ltd

Abchurch is one of the UK's leading financial, investor and corporate communications consultancies, advising more than 85 clients, over 70 of which are quoted on the London Stock Exchange. We are recognised as a specialist in communicating the financial stories of growth companies, with particular expertise in IPOs and M&A. Abchurch has a long-established Northern Region office in Leeds, working closely alongside our City of London office.

Addleshaw Goddard*

Addleshaw Goddard is a leading independent law firm, operating out of offices in the key commercial centres of Leeds, London and Manchester. Our commitment to Connect Yorkshire is a testament of the importance Addleshaw Goddard attaches to encouraging the growth of technology and other emerging businesses in the UK.

Apax Partners UK Ltd*

Apax Partners is a leading private equity investment group. With over ?12 billion under management or advice worldwide, Apax Partners pursues a balanced equity portfolio strategy, investing in companies from start-up to buy-out. Apax Partners has 160 investment professionals operating across Europe, Israel, the USA and Japan.

Ashton Morton Slack LLP

Baker Tilly

Baker Tilly and Horwath Clark Whitehill in Leeds have merged. We are a leading national provider of accountancy and business advice. We offer a partner-led service focusing on providing high quality, proactive support. With three Yorkshire offices located in Leeds, Bradford and Keighley, our aim is to build up a long-term relationship with our clients and dedicate as much partner time as possible to ensure that we are able to meet their needs. This culture is reflected in our high partner to staff ratio which is greater than any other firm of our size. At Horwath Clark Whitehill we pride ourselves on listening to our clients', predominantly SMEs, needs and delivering innovative solutions. For more details email Shaun Mullins or telephone 0113 285 5000

BRANDED!

'A modern international business with robust foundations'. An IP practice specialising in trade marks, designs and copyright based in York but handling IP matters throughout the world. Our client-base is international but also serves the local needs. As European Trade Mark Attorneys we develop, select, search and police trade marks globally. We also advise businesses about IP strategy and portfolio management. We offer an initial free consultation.

Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd*

Brewin Dolphin Securities provides its clients with a full corporate broking service in conjunction with its Newcastle based, institutional sales and research team. Brewin Dolphin Securities supports the aims of Yorkshire Forward in encouraging developing business in the Yorkshire region.

Brown Butler

Todays busy and complex business environment calls for reliable, professional and highly effective business, accountancy and taxation advice. It's our role to help you to manage your personal and business finances efficiently and effectively. At Brown Butler our focus is to ensure that all your financial business requirements are taken care of - from the various statutory compliance issues, right through to the more complex accountancy and business development issues that can arise. Our breadth of expertise and experience provides the comfort, trust and support you require - and with a team of experts on board, you can be sure your every need is catered for. As your financial business partners, we help you to maximise your business potential and minimise your expenditure by sharing our business, accounting and financial knowledge and advising you to help you to get the most out of your personal and business situation.

BTG McInnes Corporate Finance LLP

Clarion Solicitors

Clarion Solicitors is the new name for one of the outstanding legal practices in Leeds, representing a unique project among contemporary law firms. It emerged as a complete all-round legal practice of over a hundred people following the separation of the Leeds and Harrogate firms known as McCormicks. The firm's approach rests on an unwavering commitment to the traditions of integrity and professionalism, and also on a clear vision that more can be delivered to clients: greater clarity and innovation in thought and expression, better communication at all levels of the firm's activities, enhanced transparency in the processes through which the firm guides its clients, and a commitment and energy which focus the clients' needs and intentions into a clear call to action.

Cobbetts

Cobbetts is a leading independent law firm operating from offices in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. The firm maintains a strong reputation for the highest quality of work and service standards and is renowned for its friendly, practical and down to earth approach. Cobbetts is experienced in advising emerging businesses and committed to developing Yorkshire's strengths in the technology sector.

Davidson Webber LLP

We are a young, forward thinking and progressive commercial law firm based in Harrogate offering our clients value for money, uncompromising attitudes to quality and client service, strength and depth, and above all a partner led highly personable and committed service from start to finish. Our lawyers, who all hail from national and international law firms, are commercially and business focused and provide practical legal advice. They combine a complete understanding of the law with a wider commercial awareness and have the ingenuity to find realistic and cost effective solutions to your business needs. Uncompromising quality, service, client care and integrity come as standard. Contact Russell Davidson or Neil Large on 01423 727272 for more details.

Deloitte*

Deloitte is the second largest Professional Services Firm in the UK. The Firm operates in over 130 countries providing integrated solutions to some of the world's largest PLC's through to SME's. The Deloitte Technology Group is dedicated to providing practical solutions-driven assistance to busy entrepreneurs.

Dickinson Dees

DLA Piper*

DLA Piper is one of the UK's top ten law firms with major offices in Yorkshire and throughout the UK. As a client focussed operation, our aim is to be at the heart of our clients' businesses, by understanding their individual commercial concerns. Our key priority is to add value to clients by delivering the highest quality professional advice and expertise.

Ernst & Young*

Ernst & Young is committed to the success of people and clients by creating value and confidence. Our services and solutions are delivered on an integrated basis, providing creative and innovative solutions which not only meet the client's immediate needs but also enhance their ability to manage future change and growth.

Garbutt & Elliott

Garbutt & Elliott are one of Yorkshire's larger independent firms of chartered accountants, taxation and business advisors, with offices in Leeds and York. We believe we can offer 'big 4' expertise at local prices to the technology and knowledge based sectors, and we are fully committed to helping support this vital part of the local economy.

Grants

Grants Chartered Accountants was established in Leeds in 1946. It offers businesses and individuals an expert accounting and taxation service enabling them to achieve financial success.

Harrison Goddard Foote

Harrison Goddard Foote is a dynamic young firm of Patent Agents and Trade Mark Attorneys. Founded in 1995 it has rapidly grown and now has over 80 staff based in five UK offices including offices in London and Leeds. Growth has been based on a philosophy of providing clients with a first rate professional service at a fair cost.

HLW commercial laywers

HLW is a fast growing and exciting commercial law firm. We specialise in providing regional businesses with partner-led expert advice on a wide range of legal matters. Offices in both Sheffield and Leeds.

Knowles Warwick Chartered Accountants

KPMG*

KPMG is the global advisory firm whose aim is to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of its clients, its people and its communities. KPMG responds to clients' complex business challenges with seamless service across industry sectors and national boundaries.

Lee & Priestley LLP

Lee & Priestley is a well-established medium sized law firm based in Leeds. With an excellent reputation for providing a full corporate and commercial service to its clients, Lee & Priestley is also ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers. With a strong Yorkshire focus, we act for several of the region's Universities, their spin off technology companies and many other knowledge based companies. Lee & Priestley is unique in being able to offer its clients the same quality and breadth of experience as the larger law firms, whilst maintaining a more competitive pricing structure.

Leeds Metropolitan University

'Leeds Metropolitan University is striving to be a world-class regional university, with world-wide horizons, using all our talents to the full. We are one of the largest universities in the country, with over 52,000 students and 3,500 staff. We have two contrasting learning environments in Leeds, the traditional setting of one campus in the world famous sporting area of Headingley and one intertwined with the business, health, civic and entertainment quarters of Leeds. Our campus in the splendid spa town of Harrogate leads the way in breaking down the barriers between business, further and higher education.

London Stock Exchange*

London Stock Exchange is the UK's major stock exchange, providing a portfolio of markets allowing companies large and small to raise capital and to have their shares traded.

MARKS & CLERK

Marks & Clerk are the UK's leading law firm of patent and trade mark attorneys operating from 12 offices in the UK, including Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and London. We have been ranked the No 1 firm in the UK for patents and in the top tier for trade marks in the Managing Intellectual Property World IP Survey for the past 9 years. We are expert in acquiring, securing and registering IP rights and managing IP portfolios and are fully committed to supporting Yorkshire's emerging companies.

For more details please contact Nick White at our Leeds office on 0113 389 5600 or email nwhite@marks-clerk.com.

Mazars LLP

At Mazars LLP we have been working successfully with owner-managed / entrepreneurial businesses for over 100 years. Offering a full range of accounting services, we are ideally placed to work with businesses at all stages of their development. Our business advisory approach is designed to help you achieve your maximum growth potential. Whether you are looking to source additional funding to support your growth plans, efficient tax planning, advice on buying or selling a business or general accounting services we are able to support you in achieving your professional and personal goals. With a strong Yorkshire presence and a comprehensive National and International network we can support you locally with global expertise. For further information email Stephen Foster or phone on 0113 204 9797

MFL Science & Technology Insurance Brokers Limited

MFL Science & Technology provides a wide range of bespoke insurance solutions for the financial exposures and potential legal liabilities in the science and technology sector. Our services are designed to accommodate new start ups and established businesses alike, including those involved in IT, biotechnology, research and clinical trials.

Murgitroyd & Company

Murgitroyd & Company is one of Europe's larger firms of patent and trade mark attorneys. With around 180 staff including over 60 technical staff operating from 9 European offices, we provide clients with services in relation to all aspects of global protection of intellectual property -including patents, trade marks, copyright and designs. With an established reputation for quality, speed and commercial awareness, we see sponsorship of Connect as a way to leverage our expertise to help drive development of Yorkshire's growing technology business base.

NESTA

NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, is all about innovation. Through a range of pioneering programmes, we invest in talented people and ground breaking ideas. On a wider scale, we work to improve the climate for creativity on this country, acting as a catalyst for change and helping the UK to fulfil its potential.

NHS Yorkshire and the Humber

PricewaterhouseCoopers*

PricewaterhouseCoopers www.pwc.com is the world's largest professional services organisation. Drawing on the knowledge and skills of more than 124,000 people in 142 countries, we build relationships by providing services based on quality and integrity.

Rothschild*

Rothschild, the privately owned investment bank, has the largest and most successful advisory operation outside London with established offices in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. It is the principal provider of corporate financial, banking and treasury services to ambitious public and private companies based in the North of England.

South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF)

South Yorkshire Investment Fund provide seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments ranging from £15K-£2.5m to small and medium sized business already in, or planning to relocate to South Yorkshire. Our finance packages help businesses fill the gaps in funding they need for development to acquisition, where conventional sources of finance are insufficient or unavailable. The Fund can back suitable businesses through critical stages of growth from start-up to major expansion, management buy-outs, buy-ins and turnarounds. An integral part of the way the fund helps businesses is through Money with Management which provides mentoring support to help management teams grow their business.

The Conference Coach

• Work with you to help focus your key messages and plan the overall structure of the presentation.
• Will suggest a range of creative and effective ways to get your messages across, to persuade and influence your audience.
• Coach your presentation team to make them comfortable and confident presenters, to put across clear understandable messages in an interesting and entertaining way and make the opportunity as enjoyable as possible for the audience... and the presenter!

Turn Key Ltd

Turn Key is a full service marketing agency based in Leeds City Centre. A diverse agency, Turn Key specialises in seven core services; Advertising, Branding, Digital Design, Event Management, Image Retouching, Photography and PR. A small entrepreneurial start up in 2000, Turn Key now prides itself as a unique, passionate and committed agency, dedicated to supporting clients from numerous different industries, exceeding expectations through delivering material of extremely high standards. Building a strong reputation amongst clients, Turn Key is growing rapidly as a company and is a key player in the Marketing Agency field.

UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in an increasingly global economy. Its range of expert services is tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximise their international success. We provide companies with knowledge, advice and practical support. UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation which employs around 2,300 staff, in UK embassies, consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions. Further information on UK Trade & Investment is available on www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. Information on UKTI's Yorkshire Team can be found on www.tradeyorkshire.com

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is acclaimed world-wide for the quality of its teaching and research. One of the largest universities in the UK, Leeds is also the most popular among students applying for undergraduate courses. An emphasis on innovative research and investment in high-quality facilities and first-rate infrastructure means that no fewer than 35 departments are rated internationally or nationally 'excellent'.

University of York

The University of York is a dynamic and highly successful organisation, recognised internationally for its excellence in teaching and research. Named 'University of the Year' by the Sunday Times in September 2003, it has the highest average teaching score amongst UK universities and is ranked 6th for the quality of its research.

Walker Morris*

Walker Morris is one of the leading independent law firms in the country and has an extensive and impressive client list operating in all sectors. The firm's lawyers are well known in the market for their commercial acumen, their broad experience and their technical expertise. Speed, commerciality, value and approachability have been cited by clients as major attributes of the firm. Its work includes the full range of corporate, commercial property and commercial dispute resolution matters.

Winburn Glass Norfolk

WGN assist in the development of small business start-up situations and more established companies, using a 'hands on' approach. This often involves fund raising through debt and equity. We can work on a contingency basis, 'rolling up' all or part of our fees to be paid in the future when funding has been raised. In return we look to be granted a small 'sweat equity' shareholding to act as an incentive to add value to the business. Apart from the above approach, we still provide the full range of audit, accounting and taxation services on a time-cost basis.

YFM Group

The YFM Group provides risk capital and consultancy services to emerging hi-tech businesses. Given that its investment arms, YFM Venture Finance and YFM Private Equity, have had direct experience of the effectiveness of the Connect model elsewhere in the UK, the Group is an enthusiastic supporter of the Connect Yorkshire initiative.

Yorkshire Forward

Yorkshire Forward is the driving force behind the economic regeneration of the region, delivering a programme of change that will make a positive difference to our people, our business and our environment. We need to grow the region's existing businesses and double the rate of new business start-ups. Connect will help achieve these targets.