30th May saw over 100 people gather in Scottish Enterprise’s technology innovation centre in Livingston to discuss tech, demo tech, meet people in tech and find out what’s the next big things influencing tech.  Alba Open Doors which took place at the Alba Innovation Centre was designed to do just that, ”Open the Doors of Scotland’s leading technology innovation centre” and showcase the exciting innovative technologies being created behind its doors.

We were lucky to be joined by three excellent speakers, Martyn Wallace of Telefonica O2 who shared his vision on the emerging digital landscape and the impact faster platforms and connected devices will have over the next few years; Tom Crawford of Sense Marine, a truly innovative tech business based in the Alba Innovation Centre who gave a very frank and open presentation on what companies need to do to ensure they create robust sustainable R&D and the importance of it for any technology business; and  keynote speaker Jane Bromley, an world reknown inspirational speaker who asked the audience if they had identified their market, did they understand their clients requirements and was their product right to satisfy these needs?

The presentations provoked many discussions around how to grow a successful technology business, how to capitalise on the opportunities on offer and how to ensure the business evolved as the market changed.

Exhibitors spanned a range of key market sectors including Electronics, Software, Med-Tech, Energy and Digital Media and we were rewarded with the ability to take part in a number of exciting innovative demo’s including Cobra Simulation’s curved screen technology; Sense Marine’s pipe and cable tracking machine; Design LED’s thin, flexible light technology and Tantallon’s Energy Monitoring Software.

Lots of discussions took place between the exhibitors and the attendees around new business, investment deals and routes to market.  Will Alba Open Doors 2 be a reality….watch this space!