Innovation given BIG boost

ENTREPRENEURS searching for the right support to get their innovation off the ground can now access one of the most powerful resources in the field thanks to a collaborative partnership by three leading players in the North East science and technology arena.

NETPark, The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and Durham University have brought their extensive experience together under one roof to provide innovators with the Business Innovation Gateway, a portal where they can access expert advice and information, signposting for finance, development support and access to premises.

The Business Innovation Gateway (BIG), launched in June 2011,builds upon the variety of services and support already available in the region and will complement the work of the three organisations that created it.

Innovation is at the heart of the North East’s future economic success and the creation of the portal recognises the need for the right support to be provided both to individuals, companies and consortia to give every bright idea a chance of success.

The three partners involved in BIG are vastly knowledgeable in their fields.

NETPark (the North East Technology Park), managed by the County Durham Development Company (CDDC), is one of the fastest growing science parks in the UK. CPI is a key part of the Government's elite technology innovation centres, focusing in the area of high value manufacturing, and Durham University is a world leader in physics and other science disciplines.

Stewart Watkins, CDDC managing director, said: “Tremendous efforts have been made to develop an attractive home in the region for exciting science and technology businesses. This has proven successful, yet there is more to be done to encourage spin-out companies from North East universities to base themselves here and to attract innovators from outside of the region to locate here. The Business Innovation Gateway is a key strand in efforts to make the North East a destination of choice for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The Gateway will let users source space and premises available for both start-ups and high growth companies at NETPark as well as accessing state of the art equipment at Durham University and CPI.

The portal will also provide access to world-leading experts in fields including space science, printable electronics as well as energy and security technologies.

Users searching for funding will benefit from a complete range of finance tools including a funding database, investment readiness assessment, help with business plans and links to investors.

Dr. Michael Anderson, Manager of the Innovation Accelerator at CPI said: “at CPI we are heavily focussed on moving from innovation to commercialisation and through this collaborative venture we can provide practical market sector support to north-east based technology SMEs; enabling them to better understand their markets and their intellectual property and ultimately help grow their businesses faster”.

Professor Brian Tanner, Director of Knowledge Transfer for Durham University said: “Durham University is delighted to contribute its skills and expertise to support this project, the NETPark Research Institute is home to some of the University's world class research groups.”