HSBC Innovation and Technology Unit

Introduction

Established in 1997, the Innovation and Technology Unit co-ordinates HSBC Bank's support for small and medium-sized technology-based businesses in the UK.

HSBC Chairs of Innovation

HSBC has established two university Chairs of Innovation to help it and technology-based businesses work together, the first at Brunel University and the second at the University of York.

Professor Clive Butler and Professor Tony Robards provide free appraisals on the technical quality and commercial feasibility of business proposals coming through the branch network – to date more than 250 proposals have been appraised.

Both Brunel University and University of York run training courses for the bank's lending managers. The course focuses on equity finance, technical assessment, business incubation, government support, patents and intellectual property rights. The course is designed to help managers understand the issues faced by high-tech firms so they are better placed to provide guidance at branch level, allowing them to bridge the 'empathy gap'. To date over 500 managers have attended the course.

Technology Banking Managers

High potential firms with a commercial advantage based on technological innovation require considerable hands-on attention from their advisers, including investors and bankers. HSBC has appointed a network of specialist Technology Banking Managers in major technology clusters throughout the UK.

Sponsorships

HSBC's commitment to fostering technology businesses goes beyond the above initiatives.

The bank also supports a whole range of business incubation projects through sponsorship of the UK Business Incubation and UK Science Parks Association.

Sponsorship is also provided to National Business Angels Network (NBAN), a national not-for-profit organisation. NBAN aims to match private investors, or business angels, with companies looking to fund growth through equity finance.

HSBC supports a range of events specifically for technology and growth businesses. Apart from Wired Sussex events, initiatives include supporting both Oxford and York Venturefests and the Cambridge Enterprise Conference.

HSBC is a proud sponsor of the Access to Finance Programme.