Smart entrepreneurs go corporate, says UK bio-tech king

    Dumped value of 'ID':
'58310';

Dumped value of 'images_loop':
[
    {
        'caption' => 'Sir Christopher Evans ',
        'col' => 'picture',
        'name' => 'sirchristopherevans.jpg',
        'url' => '/7/13877-sirchristopherevans.jpg'
    }
];

And the man, known as the Welsh Wizard, who made millions pioneering life science businesses says Dubai's DuBiotech free zone, dedicated to biotechnology, can promote invention if it seals some early-day successes.

Speaking in advance of his address at 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' - the Middle East's most flamboyant and insightful gathering of regional business leaders taking place this May -Sir Christopher, an aide to British premier Tony Blair, said the traditional image of entrepreneurs now has to change.

'By definition entrepreneurs go it alone but the smart ones quickly link up with corporate partners,' said the man behind Merlin Biosciences, one of Europe's largest and most successful investment funds for small medical and bioscience research firms.

At 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' - the International Entrepreneurship Exhibition and Forum - Sir Christopher will spell out to the audience of would-be entrepreneurs and future corporate partners how 'Anyone Can Do It.'

And the man, who is regarded as one of Europe's leading biotechnology entrepreneurs, had some early-day advice for the fledgling 30 million square foot DuBiotech free zone aimed at encouraging the growth of biotechnology in the Middle East.

'This initiative could stimulate innovation but it needs to build flagship successes early on in its life,' said Evans, who has pioneered no less than thirty successful, high-quality British science companies and taken ten of them public.

'Whilst there are plenty of entrepreneurs in the biotechnology sector, although some are better than others. DuBiotech could successfully promote innovation providing the really experienced people are brought into the project early.'

Though Evans says today's smart entrepreneurs look for corporate link-ups, he accepts that some of the more traditional values associated with start-up pioneers are still required for the would-be tycoon.

'Good entrepreneurs are intelligent, determined, resourceful, persuasive, streetwise, energetic, creative, charming and have leadership qualities,' said Britain's most colourful biotech entrepreneur.

And while citing Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates as among his most admired business leaders for 'huge successes from nothing at all,' Sir Christopher had some straight talking advice for young budding business executives.

'Make sure you really understand your business and market, focus on making your specific project work and put in 100 hours a week - no less or you'll fail!' he said.

And while entrepreneurs should let their imagination run wild - they should, he said, concentrate on the bottom line.

'Dreams are lovely but they don't pay the bills,' he cautioned. 'By and large entrepreneurs portray an image of being mavericks but most are focussed, driven individuals with an attention to detail and a ruthless desire to win.'

The Middle East, said Sir Christopher, could take a lead in entrepreneurship promotion providing governments buy-in to their development.

'Governments have a role to play by providing tax breaks to encourage investment, buildings and incubators. I would certainly consider setting up a company in the region if the incentives were all there and it made sense,' he said and added that if he were to build some projects in Dubai, then other experienced people are 'bound to follow suit.'

IIR Middle East, which is co-organising 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' along with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders, believe Sir Christopher's commitment is something of a coup for the headline event.

'This is a man corporate Arabia and its financing sector can learn much from,' said Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Middle East. 'Sir Christopher is known for his contribution to small-to-medium-enterprises and entrepreneurship throughout Europe and has chaired a major Commission Committee for small businesses. In 1996, he founded Merlin Biosciences, which currently manages over €500 million and is one of Europe's largest venture capital firms specialising in medical sciences. He has won numerous awards, prizes and medals for his catalogue of scientific and business achievements. Merlin has built some 35 companies worth over €2 billion mostly from scratch and they have nearly 200 medical projects in research and 49 new products in human clinical trials today.

'He is also known for his outspoken criticism of the traditional finance sector and its lack of support for start-ups, a criticism which is often levelled at the finance sector within the Middle East.'

Sir Christopher will share the 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' platform with a host of international and regional business leaders - more than 30 in all and including some of the world's biggest business names, such as real estate king, Donald J. Trump, who will address the gathering of more than 1,500 via video cast.

Running alongside the forum will be a specialised exhibition of products and services aimed at the SME sector.

'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders. It is endorsed by the United Nations Conference On Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Energy giant Shell Markets Middle East, management software experts Computer Associates and business solutions and services consultants Deloitte are headline sponsors.

The event is open to all those involved in business and aims to promote entrepreneurial spirit among young GCC nationals, encouraging them to set up their own SME concerns.

'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' has attracted AME Info, Flip Media, BBC World, Gulf Business, Saudi Research and Publishing Company, Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Radio Network as media partners.