19-03-2009
Loughborough Innovation Centre, along with Charnwood Borough Council, LATI (Loughborough Advanced Technology Initiative) and LEC (Loughborough Enterprise Club) are hosting an event on 31st March 2009 to celebrate six years of nurturing early stage high tech innovators and to encourage others who might be interested in starting up their own high-tech business.
Since it opened in 2002, Loughborough Innovation Centre – the largest incubation facility in the East Midlands – has helped 75 companies ranging from sustainable energy consultants to software developers, to a company specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of wind tunnels to start up in business. Eighteen of those have already graduated into larger premises to support their expansion and many have had notable successes.
Current tenants include Laser Optica – specialists in laser safety, high power laser processing and non-destructive testing who have recently made advancements in healthcare in laser eye surgery and a needle-less device to treat HIV-1, hepatitis and cancer – and Nemaura Pharma who use micro and nano technologies to improve the safety and effectiveness of drug delivery. Engineering design consultancy, Magna Parva, has developed scientific hardware to enhance space research including an Xray telescope bound for Mercury and a rock abrasion tool for use on Mars.
The Centre is situated at the heart of Loughborough University’s thriving climate of research and innovation and provides services and facilities that new companies often struggle to afford during the crucial early years, including a staffed reception area and conference and meeting rooms. Tenants also benefit from a mentoring programme and the supportive network of fellow entrepreneurs.
To recognise its success in supporting and nurturing innovation, and to inspire others who may be thinking about setting up a high tech business, the Centre is holding an open day where delegates will have the chance to meet current tenants and to hear from experts on Business start-up and high tech innovation.
There will be specific advice for people thinking about setting up their own business and a talk from Chris Brock from the East Midlands Development Agency on Support for Business in Tough Times. Chris will examine the Government’s response to the economic downturn in the region and give an overview of the tools businesses can make use of to mitigate its effects.
The event is free of charge but people who are interested in attending must register in advance by contacting Rosemary Parke on 01509 228890 or at r.parke@lboro.ac.uk.
Directions and online registration are available at www.loughborough-innovation.com
–ENDS–
Louise Smith
Marketing Officer, Enterprise Office
Loughborough University
T: 01509 228684
E: L.A.Smith@lboro.ac.uk
Loughborough Innovation Centre is a partnership between Loughborough University, LATI and Charnwood Borough Council, with funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
Services at the Centre include:
The Centre seeks applications from all regional and national, new and early stage companies with the potential for high growth. Any innovative start-up companies can apply for tenancy.
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry and unrivalled sporting achievement.
It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top fifteen of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. In the 2008 National Student Survey, Loughborough was voted one of the top five universities in the UK, with 22 out of 30 of its subject areas being ranked in the top ten for overall satisfaction. It was named winner of the 2006 and 2007 Times Higher award for the UK’s Best Student Experience and winner of the 2007 award for Outstanding Support for Overseas Students. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes – an achievement bettered by no other institution.
It is a member of the esteemed 1994 Group – a set of internationally recognised, research-intensive universities – and has a reputation for the relevance of its work. Its degree programmes are highly regarded by professional institutions and businesses, and its graduates are consistently targeted by the UK’s top recruiters.
Loughborough is also the UK’s premier university for sport. It has perhaps the best integrated sports development environment in the world and is home to some of the country’s leading coaches, sports scientists and support staff. It also has the country’s largest concentration of world-class training facilities across a wide range of sports.
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