University of Warwick Science Park's Newsletter
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Welcome to the Autumn Edition of SPARK
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter! While summer is traditionally considered a slow news period, it's quite the opposite in the UWSP Community. Here, the spirit of innovation never takes a break. We've had new members join us, existing member companies launch exciting new products and experience growth, and we've celebrated significant milestones in the Business Ready programme.
Our Ignite Alumni Network has successfully delivered its second meeting and gained three new sponsors with more programme graduates reconnecting with us than before.
This period has also brought a wave of recruitment as our own team expands to prepare UWSP for growth. We're also thrilled to announce that we've secured the contract to deliver the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre in Solihull for another three years.
Reading this newsletter, you'll discover just how outward-looking our community of entrepreneurs and innovators is. They're actively giving back to good causes and contributing to our vibrant host community.
We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed curating it for you.
Mark Tock, Chief Operations Officer
University of Warwick Science Park
Business Ready reflects on success after generating over £19m over 7 years
Business Ready, which ran from 2016 to June 2023 to address a market failure, has enabled more than 1,500 start-ups and tech-based SMEs to access targeted business support, mentoring, grants and more from a team of expert business advisers.
The programme has provided advice and assistance to ambitious and expanding companies. It has been delivered by the business support team at the?University of Warwick Science Park, and was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Warwickshire County Council and the University of Warwick Science Park as part of the CW Business: Start, Grow & Scale Programme.
Ignite Alumni Network making strides
The co-founder of a Warwickshire online pet food business has explained how support when the company was first started helped to catapult it to sales of more than £25 million.
Pakistan Cricket Board signs Memorandum of Understanding with DineticQ
Minerva Business Angels is supporting DineticQ with its £250,000 raise and provides important skills from its diverse investor base to help them on their journey.
New Innovate Grant Funding Competitions
Innovate UK have launched a number of funding competitions to help tackle industry challenges ranging from AI solutions to refillable packaging.
Considering Business Restructuring with Edwards Chartered Accountants
This article delves into what a holding company entails, its versatile applications, and the merits of embracing this form of business restructuring.
Supplier of computer servers for world-famous scientific experiment moves to Coventry in expansion drive
A computer server supplier which counts one of the most world’s largest scientific experiments as a major client has made a move to Coventry – and is looking to grow rapidly.
Coventry fire protection manufacturer looking to grow UK presence in post-Grenfell market
A Coventry-based aluminium systems manufacturer, specialising in fire protection for the construction industry, is looking to grow its presence in the UK in a post-Grenfell market and help the country achieve its net-zero goals.
Launch of new funding programme for SMEs in Coventry
A major new funding programme to provide small and medium sized businesses in Coventry with help and support to reach their growth potential has been launched.
The University of Warwick‘s innovation success recognised in latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) assessment
The KEF results place Warwick in the top 20% for its strong engagement with businesses and the community. This ranking is especially notable when compared to other leading research-intensive universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
Self-driving cars will be part of the future – but researchers fear we are leaving the disabled behind
researchers from WMG at The University of Warwick and leading disability charities have considered the impact of self-driving taxis on people with disabilities, an area that has seen limited improvement over recent years.
TalentTech Recruitment raise £369.06 for Charity
We're delighted to share that TalentTech Recruitment recently organised a successful bake sale at Business Innovation Centre (BIC) in Binley, with support of fellow BIC tenant, TMS Consultancy, who kindly donated a raffle prize and cakes.
With all of the tenants and staff at BIC coming together to support, a total of £369.06 was raised for two incredible causes - St John Ambulance and Myton Hospice. Thank you to all those who helped and donated!
In-Person: Engineering Design Show 2023 (EDS)
📆 11th-12th Oct: A show for design engineers who are looking for direct access to the latest products, services and innovations available to the sector.
Online: Minerva Educational Series - SEIS & EIS Update
📆 13th Oct: Stay abreast of the needs and trends in SEIS & EIS, and hear how to maximise the tax benefit either for yourself or for a company.
In-Person: IP: Protecting your ideas & growing your business
📆 16th Oct: An opportunity to maximise the commercial potential of your innovation in this workshop with Patent Attorney, Alice Mortiboy.
In-Person: Birmingham Tech Week 2023
📆 16th-20th Oct: Events will be taking place across the entire West Midlands over 5 days, covering a variety of important and innovative topics.
Online: Innovation and Creativity for SMEs (Business Ready)
📆 19th Oct: Explores the notion of innovation in five stages and draw on tools and techniques to assist with the creativity element of new businesses.
In-Person: Spotlighting Black Women Innovators
📆 25th Oct: An inspirational evening sharing the entrepreneurial journeys of three black, female founders from our region plus Q&A and Networking.
