Customers

For reasons of confidentiality there are some customers that we cannot list on this page, and most project descriptions must be in general terms. We willl happily provide contacts at any customer for a reference on request.

UniKLasers Ian Stevenson 2015-Present	Ian is providing a variety of support including designing financial models and reports, preparing grant applications and helping to put in place processes and infrastructure to support the growth of the company.
Edinburgh Napier University Ian Stevenson 2015-Present	Ian is working as Commercialisation Champion for the Fragment Finder project, funded by the Scottish Enterprise High Growth Spinout Programme.
ATEEDA Ian Stevenson 2009-Present	Ian started working with ATEEDA on a Market Assessment Study as part of his Saltire Fellowship year in 2009, and was retained to help with developing marketing materials, managing sales campaigns, arranging attendance at tradeshows, and preparing materials for investors. Ian has helped ATEEDA to raise over £2.25m in equity investment and £400k in SMART and Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) grants.
Contemplate Ltd Ian Stevenson 2010-Present	Ian initially provided a broad range of support to Contemplate as interim Business Development Director. This included developing product ideas around the core technology and getting these out to potential customers to evaluate their attractiveness. Contemplate are currently running an "early adopters" programme, and Ian has made use of his extensive network to make introductions to contacts in industry. Other activities included supporting recruitment to develop the team, helping with business planning and burn rate management, positioning for license negotiations, and preparing the business for investment. After helping to bring in a full-time CEO with a highly relevant background, Ian remains with Contemplate as a Non-Executive Director. Professor Don Sannella, Founder and CEO, Contemplate Ltd, recommended Ian's work via LinkedIn “Ian has been tremendously useful to Contemplate, taking us from first-time entrepreneurs with a vision and some promising technology to our first contracts with real customers. He helped us explore ideas for products and investigate potential markets, and played a key role in signing up the first customers to our early adopter programme. Along the way he provided valuable assistance with all aspects of business development, produced excellent material for presentations and business plans, and even sorted out stubborn system problems on my laptop. Highly recommended.”
inclusIQ Ian Stevenson 2014-Present	Ian Stevenson is offering informal support to inclusIQ on preparing their business plan and funding applications. Suzanne Doyle-Morris, CEO and Founder, recommended Ian's work on LinkedIn: "Ian is a goldmine for any start-up looking to fast-track the commercialisation a technology offering. He is thought-provoking, well-connected, tactful (but honest!) and I always leave our meetings better equipped, and inspired to handle the challenges ahead. I look forward to continuing to work with Ian and hope it's a long relationship."
Univeristy of Strathclyde Ian Stevenson 2013-2014	Ian Stevenson was appointed to the role of "Commercial Champion" for a Scottish Enterprise funded Proof of Concept project in optical spectroscopy. Ian conducted market assessment, defined the market, segmentation model and market size, identified partners to build the product, and used this to build a business plan and investor pitch. These formed the basis of the team win in the 2014 Converge Challenge, and attracted a provisional offer of funding from an angel investor syndicate. Technical development of the project is continuing at the University of Strathclyde, with the intention of forming a spinout company in 2015. Commenting on the Salient Point financial model used on this project, an entrepreneurial finance expert appointed by Scottish Enterprise (and former chartered accountant at PWC) said: “The financial model is at least as competent - if not more so - as any I have seen, and has taken out the overcomplicating factors”
Oran Audio Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2013	Ian Stevenson prepared a business plan, financial model and investor pitch, while Ruth Stevenson led market research with retailers for the proposed product to establish market size, likely volumes and explore attractiveness of different products and pricing.
Univeristy of Edinburgh Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2010	Ian Stevenson carried out an initial market assessment exercise for the University, which led to the development of Contemplate Ltd (see above). Ruth Stevenson provided support for primary market research which collected results from over 100 industry professionals.
Cytomos Ian Stevenson 2010-2013	Ian initially played an informal role, helping with planning and the direction of early work to explore possible markets and helping to prepare a successful SMART grant application. Ian has also been able to make introductions to other sources of support and advice, prepared presentations for EIE and other early investo contact, and win support of the High Growth Startup Unit. Cytomos later went on to raise £100k seed funding from Archangels in 2014.
Loc8er Mobile Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 20010-2012	Loc8er has a well defined hardware product in an industry where hardware providers are typically commoditised and work at a very slim margin. Ian has worked with the team to develop a business model around the core product that has the potential for long term profitability, and which proved attractive to potential investors. Ruth carried out research with customers to validate and refine the proposed business model, and to establish the desirability of different options and features. This took the form of Focus Groups delivering insight into how customers think and talk about the product, and placing questions on a national omnibus survey of 2000+ respondents to test pricing and demand. This evidence proved the attractiveness of the product and market to potential investors. Victoria O'Donoghue, Founder and CEO of Loc8er, recommended Salient Point's services: "Ian has been an integral part of Loc8er this past year, not to mention that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He has an exceptional balance of technology, commercial and industry understanding, which has helped Loc8er define its route to market. Ian is very professional and refreshingly honest. He helped us challenge our ideas and the feedback we had received, which sharpened the companies vision. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise that is vital for getting start-ups up and running along the right tracks." “It became clear that evidence of demand would be vital in securing funding to take the product to market. Ruth has provided us with the evidence we need, along with a deep understanding of how our target customers think about the product—and has done so on a very tight budget and timescale. Throughout Ruth filled me with tremendous confidence and assurance that the work would be done to a high standard. She delivered, and I will be hiring her again in the future.”
Launch.ed Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2014	Delivered a workshop on Market Research to the Launch.ed Summer School
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Ian Stevenson 2014	Delivered a workshop on Marketing for Startups
Informatics Ventures Ian Stevenson 2014	Delivered a CEO Masterclass on Global Marketing for Startups
SICSA Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2013	Delivered a workshop on Market Research to the SICSA Summer School
LINC Scotland Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2013	A market research project to explore interest in a Guide to Young Company Finance, and what content it should have. Resulted in a successful publication.
Young Company Finance Ian Stevenson & Ruth Stevenson 2012	A market research project to test interest in additional offerings under the Young Company Finance brand.
Heriot Watt University Ian Stevenson 2010	Ian Stevenson delivered a workshop with a spin-out company on preparing a pitch for support from Scottish Enterprise.
Scottish Enterprise Ian Stevenson 2010	A small project to investigate the potential of a company seeking support from Scottish Enterprise. Iain Ross, High Growth Statup Unit, Scottish Enterprise, recommended Ian's work via LinkedIn “Ian has completed excellent quality work based on strong industry understanding.”