The new ITsON series continues on the 11th September 2008 with a programme exploring some of the opportunities that exist for engaging with our local universities. Universities are a valuable component of the local ICT sector, providing a wealth of expertise, research and future employees to the economy. ITsON would like to invite the ICT sector to come along to the event to hear more about potential areas for business-university collaboration, how to approach and work with the universities and to have your questions answered. It is also a great opportunity to meet similarly minded ICT professionals who are interested in building a greater ICT network within the region. ITsON aims to help build a supportive ICT network in the region that meets the needs of the industry – helping to promote collaboration, discussion and skills exchange within the sector. 11th September 2008 – 6.00pm to 8.30pm Science Oxford, St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1BD Price: £20+VAT (£10+VAT for Trust members) For more information about the event please visit www.itson.org.uk/events.html or contact Richard Mercer on 01865 728953 or richard.mercer@oxtrust.org.uk If you want to attend but you or your company are in genuine financial hardship then please contact us to discuss a …

Getting an Information & Communication Technology company up and running is hard, particularly when looking for funding for a high-risk venture. With the range of financing options available, which route would best suit your particular company and technology? Who can offer advice on the finer points of particular options? Our third event in the ITsON series brings you the opportunity to get answers to some of your investment questions by taking an ICT focussed look at some of the financing options available. Rob Anderson, from the London-based investment company IPROS plc, will be our guest speaker for the evening and our first investor-on-the-couch. Rob will provide an insight into IPROS plc and why they “are interested in what many other investors consider the riskier end of software – early stage ventures.” Don McLaverty (Oxford Innovation) will facilitate the investor-on-a-couch discussion and there will be information and representatives from other sources of funding assistance present on the night. * Come and meet our guest speaker and: learn how investors view an investment opportunity and what sorts of technology and/or companies they are interested in; * learn more about the suitability of financing alternatives to different types of technology; * meet other …