A dozen new businesses have moved into dedicated office space on Staffordshire University's main Stoke-on-Trent campus.
Twelve innovation-led firms looking for a stepping stone to develop and succeed have taken space at the university's new business incubator inside the Mellor building.
The facility was developed as part of the Innovation Enterprise Zone (IEZ) which is one of just 20 university enterprise zones in the country.
The £6 million 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.
READ MORE: Global communications agency VCCP opens first office outside of London - in Stoke-on-Trent
And 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.
Martin Jones, Staffordshire University's vice chancellor and chief executive designate, 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."
A range of new and established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have recently taken office and desk space at the university – and many of the new business clients are eligible for a range of funded projects which provide access to student talent, academic support and cutting-edge technology.
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The new tenants are:
- Drone delivery company IDU Group;
- Wellbeing tech company Thrive and Shine;
- Manufacturing consultancy firm YottaOps Limited;
- PR and communications consultant Baba Baboon;
- 3D video/animation display projection specialist Mapping Mill;
- Bespoke web and software development business Cyber Kiln;
- Automation and control systems specialist CL Solutions;
- Business systems advice and support specialist Rush Keep Solutions;
- App development and digital firm Design Analytics;
- Rocket and satellite start-up Future Aerospace Engineering;
- Advanced materials experts Quantum Science, and
- Moling machine specialist Hayle Communications.
Sonya Farrell, creative director at Baba Baboon and a graduate of Staffordshire University, said: "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."
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Fellow Staffordshire University graduate, Chris Daniels, who set-up web development company Cyber Kiln two years ago, 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."
Steve Hargreaves, employer partnership development manager at Staffordshire University, 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."