University of the West of England UWE Ventures

What makes the space successful?

UWE Ventures welcomes scalable, innovative businesses from across the full range of social and cultural sectors. "The diversity of our current clients is testament to our open and inclusive approach".

The hot desk environment is productive and motivational and there is opportunity for networking, in a safe and positive environment. Demand for this space fluctuates on a daily basis. The Virtual Incubation space is also popular as this combines a virtual and physical presence in UWE Ventures and involves regular attendance at the space for one day per week.

The space is about to become Skype enabled (early 2010) although, in common with a number of other institutions, the University IT Department does not currently support Skype. A new line, separate from the main University IT infrastructure is therefore being installed. This sort of issue is not particular to UWE and is an example of the challenges that can sometimes be experienced in providing particular facilities in this sort of enterprise.

It is clear when observing the space that people like to come into it. It is motivational and the energy contained within it is quite palpable. The UWE Ventures staff play an important role within the space as they can encourage and support clients in a variety of ways. This can include encouraging clients to think about important issues such as marketing, focusing on workshops and training in that area on things such as presentation and pitching.

There is a mix of businesses within the space; broadly split into creative and technology-based and social enterprises.

UWE Ventures endeavours to match creative skills with business skills, helping to match people with similar and complementary skills. This 'matchmaking' of skills contributes to the building up a database of enterprise champions and a bank of mentors with different skill sets.

Benefits to clients include library access, CV writing, careers advice, and input from those involved in business who are willing to share their experiences and good practice.

The centre runs workshops on such topics as bookkeeping, accountancy, and law provided by the Enterprise Team, supporters, and mentors. Business Link also provides support for all UWE Ventures clients and have an office within Ventures.

UWE Ventures staff are available to support the clients with all aspects of business start-up; as well as being able to facilitate and identify potential relationships with the University and partners.

What principles were behind the design?

The space has to cater for people working in a variety of ways and has to be flexible enough to be able to facilitate clients working at various stages of the business incubation process.

Social and private spaces are important, and the space provides clients with the opportunity to network with each other and participate within a creative and supportive environment. The space is finished to a high standard with a variety of furniture to support social and business activity. The space caters for a mix of clients, including university staff and students and external organisations.

What is innovative about the design? And use of the building?

The space is part of a refurbished Grade II listed warehouse (built during the first half of the 19th century and used for storing tea amongst other things). The building has therefore been completely repurposed to meet the demands of the new Millennium but at the same time it still has the traditional features and facade that has served it well over the best part of the last two centuries.

What changes have you made as a result of receiving feedback? (what form does the evaluation take - questionnaires?, interviews

Storage, and dividers between the desks in the open plan areas have been purchased or are in progress as part of the occupancy plan. Responding to the needs of the client base and how the space is used.

Anything else you wish to add

Other activity within UWE and the surrounding geographical area includes work with the Innovation and Enterprise section of UWE. There is also business activity undertaken within the community including 21 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. They help staff get consultancy work.

The University has a number of initiatives including QuickMark, which is a marketing research service. They carry out chargeable work done by business students. The work is quality checked and is an example of how different parts of the University can work together with regards to enterprise activity. The success of this sort of service is very much dependent on how it is championed within the University and the clients.

Marketing of facilities is very important and UWE Ventures is currently putting the finishing touches to a flyer to promote its services.

For some insight into the type of people and activities that goes on inside UWE Ventures it may be useful to look at one of the client's blogs. Rachel Horrocks, a Creative Arts student was a runner up in UWE's annual BizIdea competition and has been a member of UWE Ventures since March 2009. Her blog is available at http://rbi.uwe.ac.uk/Internet/Innovation/clientblog.asp