A knowledge network for technology Incubation and Science Park Professionals

www.theknowledgevine.net 

A simple and free email based knowledge location tool 

The Knowledge Vine is a novel networking system for technology professionals in universities, science parks and incubators, technology brokers, consultants, SME support professionals, technology investors and patent attorneys etc. It is very simple, very powerful, informal and free. 

The network consists of a number of interlinked email networks that connect several hundred technology professionals internationally, across all sectors.  Operating since Oct 2006 it grows every week, largely through word of mouth. It has been described as an email equivalent to “word of mouth”. It has proven to be a very effective tool at giving technology people very easy access to specific help, or the experience, knowledge or contacts of the peer group. 

It uses an extremely simple email system, based on a set of novel rules that make it easy to use, with very little clutter or overhead.  Anyone in the technology community, can use the system and benefit from it.

UMIC (The University of Manchester Incubator Company) www.www.umic.co.uk is sponsoring a specific user group entitled “Innovation Parks” to encourage Incubation and Science Park service providers across the whole of the UK to engage with each other. 

How it works

Users write their knowledge request in the form of a single sentence question to a special email address for the system.  This email forwarded to all the members of the network.  If a colleague on the network has the knowledge or information you are looking for they will reply directly back to you (and only you) by email. 

The novel rules of the system are:

1. Only one sentence allowed (plus contact information) – this forces the requester to communicate very clearly
2. The sentence must be a question
3. Only reply to the person making the request (no-one else cares)
4. No offers, promotions, or advertising 

The rules it uses make it distinctly different and much more effective than existing email and web based tools.  Because of their simplicity, the only traffic users see is occasional single sentence emails in their in box.  Because they are written in a very clear communication style they are easy and very quick to read, and people readily forward them on to colleagues. 

Typical questions that the Innovation Park Knowledge Vine group is ideal for: 

• Has the group any evidence of an adverse effect caused by the current economic crisis in tenancy, occupancy and or potential pipeline of interest across the network?
• What does the group think of using the knowledge vine as a way of sharing best practice, common issues and challenges across Incubators and Science Parks?
• Is there a portal for Innovation Centres, Incubators and Science Parks for SMEs across the UK?

Other Knowledge Vine groups with other themes in the technology sector and covering different countries can be accessed on the system, offering many ways to fill knowledge needs (more info below). Whether you are looking for contacts, technology, market knowledge or skills, there are Knowledge Vine groups that can help you. 

The amount of traffic on the system is very light, so the in box additional load is very low.

 User comments

Surveys of the users have been done on two occasions. The overwhelming response was that the relevance and quality of the replies and support was extremely high: 

• “I got the information required by my client within 15 minutes after posting my request to the network.  Simply amazing…..Kudos to the members of the network”
•  “The size and speed of the response we got really surprised us”
• “I have tested the network with my first question. It is wonderful! I got 7 answers in an hour! Thanks!”
•  “I really think that it is an excellent resource and I am certain that it will prove highly beneficial to us in the coming months”
•  “I have found that responses have been both quick and positive”
•  “On the occasions I have used the network, I have found that the leads I have been given have been very useful and have come through promptly”
• “I would endorse the Knowledge Vine 100% and find that it is of great support”
• “I’m very impressed with the speed of response!” 

How to join and use

Join directly at www.theknowledgevine.net. The system consists of a number of Knowledge Vine email groups covering different geographical regions and technology themes including the UK, Scandinavia, Australasia, North America and South East Asia. Information on all of these groups is shown on the web site and users can join and post to any of them. 

Once registered, the system the system in entirely email based – just email your question to the group of interest. 

The Innovation Park Knowledge Vine network is run by UMIC supported by the founding organisation UMIP (www.umip.com).  

For further information please contact: Martino Picardo, [email protected], 0161 606 7217.