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12 innovation-led businesses move into Staffordshire University’s new Business Incubator

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Businesses looking for a stepping-stone to develop and succeed have moved into dedicated office space on Staffordshire University’s main Stoke-on-Trent campus.

Businesses looking for a stepping-stone to develop and succeed have moved into dedicated office space on Staffordshire University’s main Stoke-on-Trent campus.

The new incubation and accelerator facility in the Mellor building was developed as part of the Innovation Enterprise Zone (IEZ) – one of just 20 University Enterprise Zones in the country, supported with investment from Research England.

The £6m investment in facilities has also funded innovation labs which are equipped with the very latest advanced materials and advanced manufacturing technology, for use by companies wanting to design, prototype and test new products. The latest addition has been a new £720,000 Creative Lab, a digitally enabled creative workspace designed to stimulate collaboration and spark new ideas for products and start-up businesses.

Welcoming the businesses to Staffordshire University, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Designate Professor Martin Jones said: “A lot of the development of the Innovation Enterprise Zone has happened during the pandemic but we’re now at a point where we can actively begin to promote enterprise education and innovation and that starts here today with you. I invite you to get your colleagues and friends involved in what will positively impact the region’s economy.”

Marek Hornak, Associate Dean for Employer Partnerships & Enterprise added: “We’re looking to partner with innovative companies with growth ambitions beyond Staffordshire, who can benefit from our research and expertise and add value to our region in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.”

New and established SMEs, including a drone delivery company, a projection mapping business and an automation and control systems specialist, have recently taken office and desk space at the University. Many of the new business clients are also eligible for a range of funded projects which provide access to student talent, academic support and cutting-edge technology.

Sonya Farrell, Creative Director with PR company Baba Baboon and a graduate of Staffordshire University, said : “I think it’s absolutely fantastic, there are so many facilities I can access and so many opportunities I can see for the future. Not only do I want to build up a rapport by having students on work placement, but I’d hopefully like to employ more people in the next few years.”

Another Staffordshire University graduate, Chris Daniels, set up web development company Cyber Kiln two years ago. He added: “A lot of stuff I want to do with my business, Staffordshire University has the specialist kit to support. I would hope to bring the students over and get them to work and use their creative minds to come up with something that’s really awesome and can help put Stoke-on-Trent back on the map.”

Confirmed tenants include:

Steve Hargreaves, Employer Partnership Development Manager said “We are building a fantastic community of businesses here in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.  We still have several private offices available to rent at competitive rates.  Due to the high demand, we are expanding our hot desking offer which gives a low-cost office base, ideal for start-ups or new businesses that don’t need their own private office but would like working space, facilities, equipment and a great network."

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.

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Professor Martin Jones Innovation Enterprise Zone Marek Hornak

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