Liverpool invests in the top young entrepreneurs

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A state-of-the-art enterprise centre is opening in Liverpool this month to support the brightest and best graduates starting out in business.

The Graduate Enterprise Centre – a joint venture between Liverpool Science Park, Liverpool Vision, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool – is the first of its kind in the Liverpool region.

The new 1,500 sq ft 24-hour facility boasts all of the necessary ingredients to build a business including hot desks with high speed broadband internet access, a registered office address, communal facilities and meeting space.

It is exclusively for new and recent graduates working within science and knowledge-based sectors, which include the creative industries, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, ICT and software development.

The Graduate Enterprise Centre is aptly based within the award-winning Liverpool Science Park, which was established in 2006 as a special purpose vehicle to support and drive forward Liverpool’s Knowledge Economy.

The Graduate Enterprise Centre has been created within the ground floor of Innovation Centre 1 (ic1) which stands at the steps of the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral, at the heart of the universities.

Entrepreneurs who pass the Graduate Enterprise Centre’s gateway policy can move in for a minimal monthly fee and will have the added benefits of working within an established, vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs, with access to invaluable support from the Centre’s founder organisations.

Mike Taylor, deputy chief executive at Liverpool Vision, said: “This is a key part of an ongoing process to retain and embed our talent. Whilst we have great knowledge assets here in Liverpool there is also a recognition that we need to do more to optimise the use of these assets in driving the economic development of the city and the Liverpool City Region.  This joint working between Liverpool Vision – Liverpool City Council’s Economic Development Company, the Science Park, LJMU and the University of Liverpool, is another example of our joint commitment to create a world class city for business.”

Emma Hunter, head of student enterprise at LJMU, said: “The Graduate Enterprise Centre is yet another way in which we will continue to support and engage with our entrepreneurial graduates. The GEC provides them with a professional and safe environment where they can continue to be supported in the development of their businesses. They will also be encouraged to make maximum use of the ongoing support LJMU can provide, whether it be membership of the Start-Up Network and the peer-to-peer opportunities this provides or tapping into the knowledge base of the university.”

Professor Ossie Jones, head of the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEEL) at the University of Liverpool, said: “I see the GEC as demonstrating the commitment of both the UoL and LJMU to the support of enterprise amongst all of our students. I also expect the GEC to make an important contribution to the continuing regeneration of Liverpool through the creation of viable new businesses which have real potential for growth.”

Chris Musson, CEO of Liverpool Science Park, added: “The Graduate Enterprise Centre provides vital early-stage support for emerging commercial knowledge businesses. The financial investment made by Liverpool Science Park and its partners reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation and creating high value added jobs. Together we have created the perfect environment for ambitious graduates to take their first steps into the marketplace and we expect the Centre to be extremely popular.”

The Graduate Enterprise Centre opens its doors on Monday September 20. As the businesses developing within the Graduate Enterprise Centre grow they will have the option to become full tenants at Liverpool Science Park.

Praising the GEC initiative, Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for employment & skills at Liverpool City Council, and a director of Liverpool Science Park, said: “Liverpool needs more knowledge economy jobs and more graduates in the labour market.  The Graduate Enterprise Centre is a unique offer for Liverpool, which will help boost the city’s knowledge economy and provide a start to enterprising graduates.”

The award-winning Liverpool Science Park, which opened in January 2006, is currently the second fastest growing science park in the UK. It has launched a number of new initiatives in recent months to support and strengthen the region’s Knowledge economy, most recently creating a 2,000 sq ft ‘Soft Landing Centre’ specifically to assist businesses moving into Liverpool from outside of the region.

For more information about Liverpool Science Park and its new Graduate Enterprise Centre visit http://www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk/

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Liverpool Science Park

Liverpool Science Park, launched in 2006, is currently the second fastest growing science park in the UK, second only to Cambridge Science Park.

The Park was created to develop and support Liverpool’s Commercial Knowledge Economy and has proved a huge success to date.

• It provides the ideal home for developing science and knowledge based companies through the provision of:
• Flexible, bespoke fit-for-purpose accommodation
• Versatile leasing arrangements
• Specialist business support
• Life Science laboratory compatible accommodation
• Links to the region’s specialist experts
• Access to the academic research base

Located in Liverpool City Centre, in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, at the foot of the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool Science Park currently comprises two buildings, Innovation Centre 1 (ic1) and Innovation Centre 2 (ic2) offering 80,000 sq ft of high-specification grade A accommodation.

The Park operates a gateway policy to ensure it targets and supports companies within the Knowledge Economy.

Its occupants span a wide range of exciting knowledge-based sectors including the creative industries, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, ICT, software development and genetics - all on the cutting edge of new technology.

The unique facility is not only retaining home grown talent, but is attracting companies from outside the region and abroad, from as far afield as Finland and Canada.

Liverpool Science Park is an award-winning centre, which has twice collected the “Best Science Based Incubator” award at the International Annual Incubator Conference & Awards.

It is estimated that with the development of further phases, the Park could support as many as 7,000 local jobs within the next ten years.

The Liverpool Science Park is a joint venture between Liverpool City Council, John Moores University and the University of Liverpool and is part finances by the European Union under Merseyside’s Objective One ERDF programme, Government Office for the North West and the North West Regional Development Agency.

For more information about the park and its facilities visit http://www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk/ or call 0151 705 3400.

For more information or interview opportunities please contact Emilie Bradshaw at Active Profile on 0151 601 8688 or email emilie.bradshaw@activeprofile.co.uk

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