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Entrepreneurs sought to join ESA BIC Harwell

1 Aug 2011 02:53 PM

The ESA Business Incubation Centre Harwell is looking for innovative entrepreneurs and young companies that could benefit from a unique and focused package of technical expertise and business support to turn space technologies and 'know-how' into marketable new products in non-space fields.

The ESA BIC Harwell has issued a call for proposals to select new projects and innovative ideas to offer inventors, entrepreneurs, high-tech starts ups and university groups the space they need to turn their business ideas into viable and profitable businesses.

Successful applicants to the ESA BIC Harwell will benefit from an impressive support package, which includes:

  • up to £41.5k towards the protection of intellectual property, design, prototyping and market studies
  • easy access to both STFC's and ESA's technical expertise, experience and intellectual property
  • well equipped offices
  • a dedicated business champion from STFC to help with business planning and provide guidance towards access to STFC's facilities and expertise
  • strategic partnership and networking opportunities

Both the ESA BIC Harwell and the ESA technology transfer network in the UK are operated by STFC Innovations Limited, STFC's commercialisation company. This is the first time that the technology transfer and incubation functions have been brought together under one organisation, enabling successful applicants - as future tenants - to benefit from a more intensive support package.

Paul Vernon, STFC's Head of New Business Opportunities said: "This year we want to give 10 small start-ups the opportunity to grow and thrive in a supportive and open-innovation environment. We are on hand to assist our ESA BIC Harwell entrepreneurs right from the beginning in getting their businesses up and running by offering technical, managerial and marketing support - key areas where inventors and start-ups often lack the experience to turn their innovative ideas into profitable commercial realities."

With its location at Harwell Oxford (the national science and innovation campus), the ESA BIC provides a unique opportunity for its tenants to access the world-class scientific facilities and research on a site where more than 4,500 researchers, engineers and innovators from over 150 high-tech organisations of all sizes are working side by side.

The next deadline for proposals is 5 September 2011.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements of the European Space Agency to be accepted onto the ESA BIC Harwell programme will have the opportunity to join STFC's Innovations Technology Access Centre Harwell (I-TAC Harwell) incubation facility.

For more information about the ESA BIC Harwell and the application process - including all of the relevant documentation - visit the ESA BIC website (link opens in a new window) or email us.

Contact information

  • Paul Vernon
    STFC's Head of New Business Opportunities
    Tel: +44 (0)1925 603 822