Working in the University of Wolverhampton Science Park has given us , as a small company , a lot more gravitas as we work with top international universities and research scientists . It has given us access to excellent facilities and networking with the many other companies based on site . Roy O ’ Mahony – Gleangrow Ltd
Today , UoWSP is home to over 80 businesses working in a broad range of technological and creative disciplines including software development , environmental management , engineering design and consultancy , photography and videography , graphics , website design , water technology , environmental research , bespoke training and education , healthcare and business support services .
The site is under expansion with the addition of the Science , Technology and Prototyping centre , a unique combination of laboratory , workshop and office space , specializing in sectors supporting the local Smart Specialisation agenda . The new facility is a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton and Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership , with part funding via the Black Country Growth Deal . The facility will open in Spring 2017 .
Accommodation and onsite facilities UoWSP offers tenant companies high-quality business accommodation , supported by a dedicated site team and comprehensive range of additional services specifically designed to meet the changing requirements of growing companies .
Accommodation services provided include :
• Fully serviced business accommodation
• Superfast Broadband
• VoIP Telephony
• Flexible licence agreements
• Conference and meeting room facilities
• Secure 24 hour access
• Free car park for both staff and visitors
• Catering facilities and Cafés serving StarbucksTM , BewleysTM and FairtradeTM range of products .
• Photostudio
• Visualisation Centre UoWSP is also home to a number of companies offering complementary professional services such as marketing , accountancy , copy writing , translation and legal services . This helps to create a diverse business community and encourages collaboration as well as providing easy access to essential business services .
Onsite Business Support Services Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre ( WBSC ) provides an award winning , single point of contact for access to a wide portfolio of innovative business solutions . In 2014 the Black Country Growth Hub was created and is co-located with WBSC . Businesses can access a wealth of business support , advice and funding prospects from business advisors who work with companies to identify their potential opportunities , ranging from funding and finance to planning and exporting , all helping business growth . In addition there are a variety of business events held throughout the year , providing excellent networking opportunities and updating of relevant business knowledge .
The Caparo Innovation Centre ( CIC ) is also located at the Science Park within the WBSC . The CIC team are part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University , and are specialists in New Product Development . They work with companies to develop design concepts , carry out CAD modelling , market research and intellectual property strategy .
Access to these services is available through ERDF part-funded programmes , sometimes at no cost to the Science Park tenant through programmes such as the Innovative Product Support Service ( IPSS ). New for 2016 is a project called BiG – Business interfacing
Graduates . This is a route for businesses to take on a graduate or student to work on a real company project , but the placement is supervised and managed by the CIC team , based within the CIC offices and has access to their high end design and analysis software .
Business Incubation Spark is the University of Wolverhampton ’ s business start hub offering a variety of modern work space options across several regional business centres in the Black Country and The Marches . From Spark ’ s vibrant central hub based at the UoWSP to the modern e-Innovation Centre at Telford we offer flexible , managed but relaxed work spaces so that you can focus on growing your business .
Spark supports a community of like-minded , focused science , creative and tech entrepreneurs , providing places where they can work , meet , collaborate , network , learn and have fun . We run Spark Start Boot Camps and Spark Start Workshops throughout the year as well as seminars on useful topics such as marketing , cyber security , finance , employment law etc . whilst still providing excellent start up support and ongoing business growth opportunities supported by the regional Growth Hubs .
Looking forwards we have plans to commence a comprehensive Sparkpreneur Programme aiming to create a strong Spark brand associated with commercialisation and business creation from innovation and research . Spark ’ s mission is to retain creative and tech talent in the local area and to attract investment to the Black Country , Staffordshire and The Marches .
More about the facilities and services at SPARK BIC can be found on the website : www . sparkspace . co . uk
The e-Innovation Centre at the University ’ s Telford Innovation Campus located just off Junction 4 of the M54 offers flexible business accommodation and support services to new start and growing technology businesses in Shropshire . The centre has 36 incubator units and a number of larger grow-on units , as well as a facility for businesses that may require a “ drop in ” service . Further information can be viewed at : www . e-innovationcentre . co . uk
As e-Innovation Centre tenants grow and local businesses look to expand , their accommodation requirements can be met by the additional on-site capacity arising from the creation of the Business and Technology Centre in 2013 . For further information see www . businessandtechnologycentre . co . uk .
Visualisation Centre
The Visualisation Centre based at the Science Park offers companies the opportunity to access and engage with new technologies from video conferencing to 3D printing to drones . Companies can also hire space for meetings or conferences at a competitive rate on request . Complementary visualisation facilities are also available at the University ’ s Telford Innovation Campus . To find out more about the exciting technologies on offer contact : enquiries @ wolverhamptonbsc . com . For a virtual tour of these wonderful facilities , please visit : http :// goo . gl / maps / UvE9 .
Knowledge Transfer Initiatives The University of Wolverhampton has an excellent and award winning track record in the delivery of Knowledge Transfer initiatives and a strong commitment to improving the economic prosperity of the region . To find out more , please contact the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre www . wolverhamptonbsc . com
222 UKSPA Directory 2016 / 17 Full Member • England