Pictured above: David Hardman
Birmingham Science Park Aston is due to receive further benefits
from its relationship with global technology giant Cisco.
In a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron this week, Cisco
CEO John Chambers pledged a £341 million ($500 million)
investment goal to the British Innovation Gateway (BIG); a five
year project to drive new economic growth through high-tech
innovation, and at the same time provide an Olympic legacy.
Cisco's support for BIG will help bring about two new Innovation
Centres (which will be built in Shoreditch and within the Olympic
Park). These new centres will be networked across the UK and
abroad, with early efforts focussed on developing existing linkages
between Cisco and Birmingham Science Park Aston to create BIG
linkages into the Park's iCentrumTM Science Park Without Walls
initiative.
The Park is preparing to launch its Ideas and Communications
Suite, a cornerstone of its Science Parks Without Walls concept.
The Suite enables technology entrepreneurs and start-ups to
link up with businesses and centres of innovation and creativity
around the world.
Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman
of Birmingham Science Park Aston, said: "When Cisco first began
working with us on the development of the UK's first science park
without walls, we knew that it would be hugely significant to the
city of Birmingham and the region. With the Government fully
committed to driving the innovation agenda, we are perfectly
positioned to step up and support the UK Growth agenda through
enterprise and innovation.
"I proudly describe Birmingham as being the Global City with a
Local Heart - and through our relationship with Cisco we are
demonstrating our ability to reach out and touch all the corners of
the globe. Similarly, however, through their commitment - and the
investments I know this will bring to the region - we are able to
enrich our 'local heart' by providing a vital tool for local
businesses and entrepreneurs."
Dr David Hardman, chief executive officer, Birmingham Science
Park Aston, said: "Cisco has clearly demonstrated the strength of
commitment it has to our science parks without walls concept.
By pledging to the Prime Minister that an early focus will be
made on creating linkages between the Science Park and the new
British Innovation Gateway initiative, Cisco will enable us to open
up a wealth of ground-breaking opportunities for our Entrepreneurs
for the Future business incubation programme in Birmingham.
"Cisco clearly shares our aspirations that technological focus
should not be limited to one area. This new initiative will be the
virtual equivalent of High Speed 2, bringing new concepts to
Birmingham by helping to deliver a national creative network and
assist SMEs and start-up companies to reach their true
potential."
The Science Park's highly successful Entrepreneurs for the
Future (E4F) programme is dedicated to support the next generation
of tech entrepreneurs. Established with support from Birmingham
City Council and now funded by the European Regional Development
Fund, since 2009, it has promoted the establishment of over 30 new
ventures developing ICT, digital media, games and clean tech
products and services.
Phil Smith, vice president and CEO of Cisco UK and Ireland,
said: "Creative projects and collaborations such as this provide a
vital spur to innovation and growth throughout the UK. I am
delighted that the work that we have undertaken with Birmingham
Science Park Aston provides a platform to help ensure national
benefits are derived from the new British Innovation Gateway
initiative. We will continue to work closely with the Park to help
sustain and develop future growth."
The BIG scheme sits alongside the Government's East London Tech
City; a project aimed at creating the UK's own version of Silicon
Valley.