Businesses at a science and technology hub in Bristol have landed £1.3million of Government funding in the last three months to continue with innovation projects during the coronavirus crisis.
Companies at the University of West of England’s Future Space - a high-tech co-working and laboratory hub for entrepreneurs - were awarded the finance from Innovate 海角视频.
The grants were given to firms including bio-device tech IP specialist BiotIP; digital experts 500More; cyber and robotics firm Indus Four; software solutions provider HBXL, forensic analytical services business Mass Spec Analytical; 3D scanning and software engineering firm OR3D; and eco tech business Intercede Ventures.
Transport solutions business Esoterix was also one of 25 organisations to snap up a share of £9.4million from the Department of Transport.
The company secured the £370,000 funding as part of the Government’s 2020 First of a Kind competition, encouraging innovation in the rail industry.
Esoterix said the grant, delivered by Innovate 海角视频, has enabled it to hire four new members of staff to work on the project, which is due to be completed by the end of March 2021.
Meanwhile, Service Robotics - a company that has developed a companion robot that helps older adults live independently in their homes through voice-enabled face-to-face video support - completed a second seed funding round of £600,000.
Future Space centre director Laura Crocken Stevens said: “It’s testament to the pioneering work ongoing here at Future Space that these innovation-driven grants and funding have been received by our customers and we look forward to seeing what the next phase brings."
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Future Space, which reopened for all companies at the end of last month, was operating during lockdown for its lab-based businesses carrying out “vital” research.
At the start of lockdown a number of support packages were put in place for businesses based at the hub, according to Future Space, including three months’ 50 per cent rent reduction and access to UWE Bristol’s Summer Internship scheme.
Service Robotics and handheld ultrasound business Healcerion EMEA appointed fully funded interns for the summer as part of a scheme designed to create employment opportunities during the Covid period.
Professor Martin Boddy, pro vice-chancellor for research and enterprise at UWE Bristol and a founder of Future Space added: “There’s no doubt that Covid-19 has created unexpected challenges, with the situation still evolving.
"Future Space businesses have, however, shown great resilience in the face of these challenges and continue to innovate and grow.
“These funding awards are great news and we look forward to seeing the emergence of ground-breaking work as a result."
Future Space is managed by Oxford Innovation on behalf of the University of the West of England and last year posted record results, with over £9million regional Gross Value Added (GVA) in its third year of operation.