University of the West of England UWE Ventures
Contact Details: |
Mariama Njie - Host/Office Manager, ventures@uwe.ac.uk, 0117 328 1491 http://rbi.uwe.ac.uk/Internet/Innovation/incubators/default.asp |
Type of Project: |
It is an incubator space in a Grade Two listed warehouse refurbished to a high standard and located in a sought after address. |
Start/End Date: |
The Space opened in February 2009. |
What are your top tips? (For a successful new build? For embedding IT? For installing technology?)
UWE Ventures runs in parallel with a host of Enterprise activities within UWE.
Get the host institution involved in a mutually beneficial way. For instance, branding and signposting for identity is important for all of the clients and with this in mind a group of UWE Product Design students has been awarded a small grant to work on signage production within the space. The team of 5 students has been set up as a project, on a self-employed basis. They have been coached through the bidding and tendering process and so on and it is hoped that after this year they will be able to hand over the business to the next wave of new students.
Use the expertise of University students. For example, five second year IT students are working on developing an IT system to support the activities within UWE Ventures.
It is important to encourage enterprise activity within the institution generally and at UWE there is credit for staff whose students have ideas.
Hold annual competitions and awards. The annual BizIdea award at UWE encourages ideas from projects and the University.
Instil a professional approach. Clients feel it is proper business not just an incubator; the professional approach is vital to the success of the space.
Staff having roles elsewhere in the University can bring benefits due to networking etc; however beware as they can be stretched thin.
