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The Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) has scooped a prestigious UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) award for having the best track record in developing and supporting start-up and high growth businesses. The award celebrates the invaluable role that innovation centres and incubators, and their business environment, play in the growth and economic success of early stage companies. 

Since it opened four years ago, I-TAC, which is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), has supported more than 60 high-tech companies and aided in the development of 46 new innovative products. It has also helped its tenant companies achieve an impressive £80million of investment and to create over 100 new jobs.

STFC’s Dr Martin Morlidge, I-TAC Manager, said: “Winning this award is a fantastic accolade for I-TAC and for STFC. Starting up a high-tech business is tough and our philosophy is to give small companies affordable, flexible access to the multi-million pound equipment and expertise that would usually be out of reach for these businesses. I-TAC provides all the necessary technical support at every stage in the journey, from initial idea, through the proof of concept and prototype stages, to the final product or service. In combination with this, it also provides the invaluable business support these companies need as they grow into strong and sustainable businesses.”

I-TAC’s facilities are located across both of the innovative and vibrant national science and innovation campuses at Sci-Tech Daresbury and Harwell Oxford, both of which are successful Enterprise Zones. Companies here sit alongside world-leading science facilities and international organisations such as the European Space Agency and CERN, with whom STFC also manages business incubation initiatives, in addition to several other support programmes for small businesses.

Paul Vernon, Head of Campus Development at STFC, said: “The commitment, professionalism, creativity and success of the support that I-TAC provides are evident from the companies that are located here. One such company, Byotrol, which specialises in anti-microbial products, has worked with industrial leaders such as Tesco, Boots and Kimberley Clarke since moving its R&D to I-TAC. And we are always interested to hear from other small companies and start-ups who think they could benefit from the unique support and facilities available through STFC, whether this is through I-TAC or one of our other incubation and business support programmes.”

The awards ceremony, which was hosted by science writer and BBC presenter Michael Mosely, was held on 10th July as part of UKSPA’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Birmingham, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its’ formation.

ENDS

Further information:

Paul Vernon, Head of Campus Development at STFC, explains how businesses can benefit from STFC’s Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KEfJXxilwU

Images available: Dr Martin Morlidge, I-TAC Manager at STFC, accepts the UKSPA 30th Anniversary Award for having the best track record in developing and supporting start-up and high growth businesses.

Contact

Wendy Ellison 
STFC Press Officer
Tel: 01925 603232
Mob: 07919 548012

About STFC

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and ensuring global security. STFC is one of seven publicly-funded research councils. It is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Follow us on Twitter at @STFC_Matters. www.stfc.ac.uk.